The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-08

of her conscience. And how was | 10 advise
her, amid her poverty and care, TO forego her
coarse, yet perhaps almost necessary stimu-
liant, while l was slipping the more delicate,
vet as dang rous, wine or cordial! No, she
must take the consequences of her indul-
gence. The drunkard was an outcast, AMI the
sooner her reeling Steps crossed my thresh-
old, even with that poor baby at her breast,
the better. But l volunteered solemn
promise that would be mother to the
poor child, ifproyidence should call her from
him. She remained that night. The next
morning, with restored reason, and with
such blessings and thanks as only proceeded
from Irish lips, she departed on her new SER
vice.
The following winter she came to me in
the city, in state of restitution. Little
Johnny was running alone, and she presen-
ted him TO me with pride, though thinly clad
and hungry. In the hope of encouraging
her, l gave her my family washing. For two
months every thing went on well. Size had
no undue pride, and at the end Of every
week Appeared with her basket Of nicely
bleached clothes. One Saturday night no
Mrs. McKinny appeared. Days passed
without tidings of her. | sent to her resi-
dence but she had removed. A week was
spent in anxious inquiry, for she had large
amount of clothing in her possession. Al
length she was discovered, intoxicated, III a
empty house beyond the city lines, lying on a
beadstead with one thin coverlid, 81 little John
ny, almost without nourishment, her only
comprehensive was asked for the clothes
nuder her charge, and, to my establishment,
they were all found safe, thrust far under her
beadstead. She surrendered them with
drunken protestations of sorrow and hon.
esry.
About two weeks afterwards, as | sat with
my family, at twilight, a servant informed me
that woman wished to see me. 1t was poor
Mrs. McKinny, who, with slow, humble
step, and folded arms, advancing to where
sat, threw herself on her knees, and, with
clasped bands, inplored my forgiveness. 1t
Was strange attitude for an American 10
witness. begged her TO rise, and assured
her ufmy pardon. Something | said hesita-
tinglY and feebly Of reform, but she was a
drunka-d, and thought her case hopeless.
Bes ides, it was her own private sin, which
she must settle with her conscience and her
God.
That winter the blessed temperance reform
began. The Pledgo-Book was opened
Hope came with a light from heaven for the
poor inebrate, and religion rejoiced in lis
beams. Anew language was given to reach
the drunkard's heart We 10 longer doubted
what to sag or do. All was clear and God
illumined.
saw nothing of poor Mrs. McKinny, and
knew not where TO seek her. The mex
summer she came to me, still struggling
with poverty, and with dcerer marks of the
blightiug demon on her countenance. Hel
old shawl was tom and soiled, whilst Johnny
tall aud thin, had pensive tear in his darl
eyes.
But how changed were my feelings. A
fellow immortal stood before me, with sou
that could be saved by simple. yet heaven
taught means. | told her what was doing
for the incorporate, OF what she might be.
come, and Johnny would be, if trusting in
God, she signed and kept the pledge. Itold
her that had signed. and that should re-
joice to have her name near mine. gave
her two months TO consider the subject. A
the end Of one month she returned TO sigr
the pledge. Something Of the Joy which i:
felt in heaven 'oyer the sinner that repen
teth' did feel, when saw her make the
rude cross TO her name.
She came to see me as often as her bust
ness would allow, for she soon found nc
difficulty in obtaining employment, | Away:
conversed with her unreservedly, and if an
happy in another state of existence, this poor
woman's prayers and blessings will be full
filled. Each time she came, saw an i'm
provement in Der appearance, and in John
uy's. Her old blanket-shawl was replaced
for neater one, and Johnny stood trim and
conscious in his jacket and pantaloOns.
have seen her lately. a benevolent la
dy is teaching Johnny to read, and she tell:
me that she has a hundred dollars at interest
Il think 10 the Savings Bank,) Tor Johnny''
education.
BY the blessing of God she said, 'itwa:
the putting of my name 10 that Pledge
Book which did it. May the Lord forever
bless ye, for it has saved me and Johnny
But will this poor creature have strength
to keep her pledge! lfshe does not who viii
be the criminal! The ignorant, struggling
woman, or the educated legislature who Ii
ceuse grcg-shOps at every corner to lure hel
to ruin