Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-08-28

inouirv. for she had large amount of clothing
in her possession At length she was discovered.
intoxicated. in a nearly empty house beyond the
citv lines. living on bcdstcad with one thin
coverlid. and little Johnny. almost without nour-
ishmcnt, her only comprehensive was asked
for the clothes under her charge, and, to my as
constituent. they were all found sale thrust far
under her bedstead. She surrendered them with
drunken protestatons of sorrow and honesty.
Ahout two weeks afterwards, as sat with
nv family. at twilight. servant informed me
that a woman wished to see me. 1t was poor
Mrs NcKinny. who. with Il slow, humble step,
and folded arms. advancing to where sat. threw
herself on her knees. and. with claspcd hands,
implored my forgiveness. 1t was strange at
tiiude for an American to witness. ! begged
her to rise and assured her of my pardon. Some
thing said hesitatinglv and fecLlv of REFORM
but She was a drunkard. and thought her case
homeless. Besides, it was her own private sin,
which she must settle with her conscience and
her God.
That winter the blessed temperance reform be-
gan. The Plcdge-Book was opened. Hope
came with a light from heaven tor. ne poor inc
briate, and religion rejolced IL. !, ,eams. A
new language was give to reach the drunkard' 5
heart We no longer doubted what to say or do.
All was clear and God-illumined.
| saw nothing of poor Mrs. Mckinny. and
knew not where 10 seek her The next summer
she came to M, still struggling with poverty,
and with deeper marks of the blighting demon on
her countenance Her old shawl was torn and
soiled. whilst Johnny, tall and thin, had pensive
tear in his dark eyes.
I Bat how changed were my feelings A fellow
immortal stood before me, with a soul that could
be saved by simple, yet heavcn-taught means.
told her what was doing for the Incorporate,
of what she might become. and what johnny
would be, if trusting in God. she signed and
: kept the pledge. | told her that had signed
| and that should rejoice to have her name near
mine. | gave her two months to consider the
subject AT the end of one month she returned
to sign the pledge Something of the Joy which
r is felt in heaven over the sinner that repen-
tcth' did feel. when saw her make the rude
cross to her name.
; She came to see me as often as her bushes.
would allow. for she soon found no difficulty il
obtaining employment, always coneersed witt
her unrescrvedy. and if am happy in another
state of existence. this poor wonan's prayers
5 and blessings will be fulfilled. Each time sh,
came, | saw an improvement in her appearance
: and in Johnny's Her old banket-shawl wa
:, replaced for ncater one. and Johnny stood trim
and conscious in this jacket and pantaloons
: have seen her lately. A benevolent lady i
G teaching johnny to read. and she tells me tina
she has hundred dollars at interest. thin
9 in the Savings Bank.) for Johnny's education.
= g BY the blessing OF God she said, 1T wa
the putting of my name to that Pledge-Book di
;, it. May the Lord forever bless ye. for it ha
T. saved me and Johnny"
5 But will this poor creature have strength t
: keep her pledge II she does not. who will b
the criminal The ignoren', struggling woman
or the educated legislature who licenses gro.
p shops at every corner to lure her TO ruin