Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-08-28
1flrs. 1flthtnup.
by CAROLINE GILMAN. CHARLESTON, - u

is literally true. EXCEPT the name of the leading
character has been written with the hope that II
! NAV touch some heart which stronger reasoning
has not reached
A few wears since | was on the deck of Il
steamer bound for Moultrcvillc. There was
not many passengers on board, and my attention
was attracted by beautiful child, about month.
old in the arms of its mother. The woman
recognised as Irish. partly by her air, but more
particularly by her wearing WOODEN shaw IN
, midsummer. a kind of practical Paddysm that
have frequently noticed. The pretty ways OF the
boy drew my observation, and smiled in answer
to his smile The woman perceived orr Tree
masonry of love, and gradually hitching hersen
, along to a seat near me. she sad,
Troth. johnny. We make free with the lady
and then added in an apologize tone, Johnny Is
rood boy--thc tathcrless boyle was dtllrown-
ed off Benefits Mils--thc father"
Having commenced the convers ton, my
blanket-shawl friend found no difficulty in giving
me IA culogv on her HirOraed husband with the
, constant chorus.
Me and Johnny is laved with ne'cr copper
, in the wide world
Icnquircd what object she hal in going to
.Indade and truth. madame said she, little
. a bit of an obec But | took a notion, as Inc
and Johnny can't get no work in Charleston,
. that lady, as was acquainted with. is there
i abouts. who would be pleased to give me odd
, Jobs. (be asy johnny and lam thinking ye
might know her by rason of my disremcnbcrlng
I the name.
This was the most thorough and practical
p Irshism had ever known. Mrs. Mcknny was
going without "A cent in her pocket, to md out a
/, person whose name she had forgotten, en-
r numbered or, rather perchance, angel-ed) by
an infant boy.
/ Johnnv's smile beametr none the less bright Tor
r his mothers perplcxi,y, but there was more OF
r deep subdung soitncss than brancy IN his
n eyes which were frnged with long lashes. As
h the island appeared in sight, Mrs. Mckinny said
d TO me inquiringly.
!. MAYBE the lady has small room that me
g and the body can sleep in the night
h | told her was very sorry that my rooms
= were occupied.
y .Maybc. said she. the ady's 'ousc has a pi.
e azza 1t is very cool, airy place for shaping
n is IA piazza
told her that had no shelterng place, cx
ccpt the carriage house and that was near tho
stable.
b. Indadc and truth, she said eagerly, nothing
E. could be better I've had many Il worse com
IN panion than 'orsc.'
M 1t was impossible to resist such humble desire
so | surprised my family by introducing Mrs
McKinny and johnny. vino looked unconscious
tesed and smiled
a On the following morning. Mrs. McKinnN
or took johnny in her arms. and wrapping him NJ
ne in the blankct-ShaWl. a. il to shut out the Au
II rust sun. went to lind out the ninelc,s lady
" Strange to say. her search was successful, anC
ne the lady consented that she should stay with her
/" and do her washing for her food and shelter. l
~ wa. necessary. however. for r to 'i-it' hdr'cs
- ton for her little matters. and she begged me t.
lr
We boat in the afternoon. while she went in packe
!! to the city.
III After the first hour, we began to feel tender
ne to the baby and try to attract his attention roi
u the servant To whom he was entrusted
lie was soon dismissed for bath, and Will
the process was going on. my children haStll
put together a suit of clothes. They were NJ
completed before the boy came fresh and ros
Is from his additions. \ light shawl was toldc
u. around him. and n cup of milk provided II
II still chung to the mad->ervant, aud after tc'
~ grave and anxious glanccs such "A child civ,
u for an anxious loved one. he dropped asleep
VI her arms. The children ran for materials tor
:" little bed on the floor: W. trod softly about I'll
a. room, and he was laid down gently. Then "
'o all bent over him. One passed comb throug
~ hi, soft brown ha r one laid his arm gracefully
IN ri, breast, and one admired his singulary lon
." dark laShcS.
=
had been recently transmitted by Gods prov
cncc from our arms to heaven. Was it stranG
-, hat we should almost covct this child TIN
! , brown in sleeping innocence on onr love
,ra johnny woke up with the wild. sweet, u
ma ,crtnin look of infancy. aud gazcd around l.
.; ,he familiar face of his mother. We all tenier'
~ ,ur sympathy to him. dressed him in his ne
IL ,lohes, and were in raptures with his beant
~, The afternoon boat arrived, but no mother Il
,carcd. We were perpleXed TO know what
10 with the unweancd boy The poor little #
ow sobbcd himself to sleep. The morning DO
came but no mother. Johnny took his little
. frcshmcnt gravelv, and seemed to try and
a. grateful for our love. Al 10 o'clock, touch
By his gentle confidence and winning ways, Il
4, children began to utter hall expressed wish
,n. that his mother might nor return.
~! At one o'clock this utterance grew strongt
and plans were laid for the childs welfare.
the afternoon they almost dreaded the return
the boat.
mt 1t came, however and Mrs. Mckinny with
too but in such state Just recovering from Dcas'
'ro- intoxication. With drunkards dwelling tea
ON she raised the pure and innocent child, clasp
zen him in her arms, and pressed her rum-scent
lips to his sweet mouth. And the boy, oh he
sadly affecting was his JOY His soft, plum
W" hand patted her coarse cheek hc laid his Smoo
wavy curls against her bosom, and rested in III
or turbid spot as young bird in a storm toss
od nest.
no. The temperance cause had not then appear
tod in the present form OF action in Charleston, a
use the only emotion we experienced was disg'
towards this degraded creature. The noble, "A
bod,and lelu ifu figure of Reform had not pl
or scented herselfas low to the inebratc, cxtend
her hand kindly to raise him from perdltion,
deed, she had turned away in despair.
ced ] knew no art to save the poor woman WI
sun right had | to charge her with drunkenness
mes was entering the sacred precincts OF her ca
Z; IT science. And how was ! To advise her, an
a. her poverty and care, to torego her coarse,
perhaps almost necessary stimulant, while W
slipping the more delicate, yet as dangerous, wi
or cordial No, she must take the consequence
!, , of her indulgence The drunkard was an OF
. IN cast and the sooner her Keeling steps cross
ann my threshold, even with that poor badly at h
,ho breast, the better. But volunteered a solen
mr. promise that would be a mother to the pa
,ha child, if providence should call her from IN
She remained that night. The next mornln
with restored reason, and with such blessin
and thanks only proceeded from Irish lips, s
departed ON her new service.
hrd The following winter she came to me IN I
, IN city, in a state of restitution Little John
q 1t was running alone, and she presented him
me with pride, though thinly clad and hungT
I...