The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-08
Volume XII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
hrs. MCKINNT.
BY CAROLINE GILMAN, CHARLESTON S. C.

Inc led0lDB cnaTdCteIi udS OSOH "iN'S" WIN
the hope thai it may touch some heart which
stronger reasoning has not reached.
A few years since was on the deck Of
steamer bound for Moultrieville. There
was not many passengers on board, and my
attention was attracted by beautiful child,
about months old, in the arms of its moth
er. The woman | recognised as Irish, partly
by her air, but more particularly by her
wearing wooden shawl in midsummer.
kind of practical Paddyism that have fire.
quently noticed. The pretty ways of the
boy drew my observation, and | smiled in
answer to his smile. The woman perceived
our freemasonry love, and gradually hitching
herself along TO seat near me, she said,
'Trolh, Johnny, We make free with the la
dy; and then added in an apologize tone,
johnny is a good bov-the fatherless boy
he was dlhrowned off Benefits Mills-the
father
Having commenced the conversation, my
blanket-shawI friend found no difficulty in
giving me an eulogy on her dthrO,cHed hus-
band with the constant chorus,
Me aud Johnny is laved with ne'er cop
per in the wide world.
| enquired what object she had in going
to Sullivan Island
'Indade and truth, madame said she, lit
tie bit of an objec. But took notion, as
me and Johnny cant get no work i'll Charles
ton, that a lady, as | was acquainted with, is
hereahouls, who would be pleased 10 give
me odd jobs, (be aisy Johnny and Fam
thinking We might know her by reason OF my
disremembering the name
This was the most thorough and practical
rishism had ever known. Mrs. Mckinny
was going without cent IN her pocket, 10
find out a person whose name she had for
COTTON, encountered Tor, rather perchance,
angel led) by al infant boy.
Johnny's smile beamed none the less bright
for his mothers perplexiiy, but there was
more of deep subduing Softness than brillian-
CIV in his eyes which were lringed with long,
lashes. As the island appeared in sight
Mrs. Mckinny said to me inquiringly,
Maybe the lady has small room that me
aud the baby can sleep in the night.
| told her was very sorry that my rooms
were occupied.
Maybe said she. 'Ibc Iady's 'ouse has
pizza. 1t is very cool, airy place for s'a-
ping. is piazza
told her that had no sheliering place.
except the carriage house and that was near
the stable.
'Indade and TRUTH she said eagerly moth
ing could be better. I've had many worse
companion than 'orse.
Itwas impossible TO resist such humble de-
| sire. so | surprised my family by introducing
Mrs. McKinny and Johnny, who looked I'M
conscious thanks from his lovely dark eyes.
while she curtesied and smiled.
On the following morning, Mrs. Mckinny
took johnny in her arms, and wrapping hun
up in the blanket shawl. as if 10 shut out the
! August sun, went TO find out the nameless
lady. Strange TO say, her search was sue
cessful, and the lady consented that she
should stay with her, and do her washing
for her food and shelter. II was necessary,
however, for her to visit Charleston for her
little matters. end she begged me TO let
Johnny stay with my servants until the re-
turn boat in the afternoon, while she went in
a packet to the city.
After the first hour, we began to feel ten
derby 10 the baby, and try to attract his at
tenton from the servant to whom hi was en-
trusted.
He was soon dismissed for bath, AMI
while the process was going on, my children
hastily put together a suit of clothes. They
we've not completed before the boy came
fresh and rosy from his additions. A light
shawl was folded around him, and a cup OF
milk provided. He still chung to the maid
servant and after few grave and anxious
slances such as a child gives for an anxious
loved one, be dropped asleep in her arms.
The children ran for materials for little bed
on the floor; we trod softly about the room,
and he was laid down gently. Then we all
bent over him. One passed a comb through
his soft brown hair, one laid his arm grace
fully on his breast, and one admired his sin
gularly long, dark lashes.
There was silence. boy, beautiful as
this, had been recently transmitted by Gods
providence from our arms TO heaven. Was
it strange that we should almost covet this
child thus thrown in sleeping innocence on
our love J
Johnny woke up with the wild, sweet, uu-
certain look of infancy, and gazed around
for the familiar face of his mother. We all
rendered our sympathy to him, dressed him
in his new clothes, and were in captures with
bis beauty.
The afternoon boat arrived, bnt no mother
appeared. We were perplexed to know
what to do with the unweaned boy. The
little fellow sobbed himselfto sleep. The
morning boat came but no mother. Johnny
took his little refreshment gravely,a seemed
TO try to be grateful for our love. AT 10 o.
clock, touched by his gentle confidence, and
winning ways. the children began TO utter
half expressed wishes that his mother might
not return.
At one o'clock this utterance grew stron-
ger, and plans we're laid for the child's well
fare. BY the afternoon they almost dreaded
the return of the boat
II came, however, and Mrs. McKinpy with
it, but in such a state! just recovering from
beastly intoxicaton. With a drunkard's
dwelling tears she. raised the pure and inno-
cent child, clasped him in her arms, and
pressed her rum-scented lips to his SWEEP
mouth. And the boy, oh how sadly affecting
was his JOY His soft. plump hand patted
her coarse cheek, he Laid his smooth, wavy
curls against her bosom, and rested in that
turbid spot as young bird in storm-tossed
nest.
The temperance cause had not then ap-
| peared in the present form in Charleston
J and the only emotion We experienced was
disgust towards this degraded creature The
, noble, aud bold, and beautiful figure Of Re-