Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-12-29

could see the prospect oil better Gays, sue
would no doubt do better
TO be sure,' replied Mr.. Austin, thought
fully, he has a. good trade, and was once
considered the best workman in town; but
he has become SO incorporate that none VIII
employ him. Idon't know what supports his
family they must often be in wretched des-
tuition
sWre,ched destitution indeed exclaimed
his wife. sAnd now | think how we may
helm them. You knew we want some one
TO work on the house Immediately. Employ
him. and perhaps by keeping him out of the
wav of temptation and giving him proper en-
courage mem, we may induce him TO break
off his brutal habits
THAT is a good idea, Jane, and | will see
him tomorrow and try to engage him.
The next morning the Watsons were not
a little surprised TO see MIR. Austin enter their
dwelling. His heart grew sick at the pros
pect of sin and misery around him. The
shivering children were eagerly pressing
round a table on which there was no food ex-
cent a rew potatoes. The father was stand
| ing at a shelf preparing his morning rotations,
and Mrs. w. with uncombed hair and dirty
face, stood in a menacing attitude, upraiding
him with loud and angry words. -
GOOD morning, Mr.. Watson said he.-
Good morning, sir replied the poor man,
with a hiccough. Il don't feel well this
morning and was about to take some bitters.'
Don't take them, they will do you no
good, and ] want TO talk TO you on business
Watson looked at him with surprise, and
then pushing the glass from him, seated him
self to hear what he had 10 say.
Il wish TO hire you to work on my house,
continued Mr.. A. I'VE have several unfn-
! It'll -. ,ul Is 40, ,y;ll aa,oo ,v,II -.
you at Mr.. Frost's store, where you can OBJ
tain groceries and clothes for your family
There was something so different in The
kind manner of Mr.. Austin from the rude
contempt with which he was usually treated
that he felt his heart expand-he again was
a man among men.
The bargain was closed, and the next morn
ing. true to his promise, Watson came TO his
work. He commenced, but his hand was
unsteady, and his manner restless. Mr.. Aus
tin noticed it, and kept him engaged in cheer
full conversation. Before noon he asked for
cider; he was told he could have none, but
Mr.. Austin sent him a mug of hot ginger
beer, which he drank eagerly, for his thirst
was intense.
He kept at his wsrk, but evidently suffer
ed much for the want OF his accustomed slim
ulant.
When night came, Mr.. A. took him to the
store, and paid for his work in some articles
necessary for his family and with kind, en-
couraging words, babe him good night
When he got home and exhibited a large cat
fish and a bag of flour, The children shouted
for Joy. 1t takes but little to make children
happy. Alas! that that little should be de-
MED them. Mrs. Watson's face wore an ex-
preston of pleasure quite unusual 10 her,
while she went to prepare supper.
A tear came into the fathers eye, as he
looked upon his half naked children, and wit
messed the Joy which one days labor he'd
conferred on them. He placed the child on
his knee and kissed her cheek with parental
kindness. His passions had been checked,
his better nature was aroused, and he sat
thoughtful and silent during the evening"
His past life came up before him. He re-
membered his own neglected and hopeless
childhood for he was a drunkafd's child
He saw that the evil habits which he then
contracted were working the ruin of himself
and family ; and the question came home to
his heart, whether he should entail a like
curse upon his p~ostori,y and make the little
ones around him ~outcasts from society like
himself. He resolved that for one week at
least, he would not drink. He lay down on
his Pillow that night with a feeling of salts
faction that he had not experienced for years.
The next day Mrs. Austin sent for little
Mary to come and spend the day with her,
and take care of The baby. Poor little Mary!
she was not pretty. How could she be with
that cold, hungry look, and those dirty rags
about herl She was not good for she had
seen nothing but evil all her days. The air
she breathed in the cradle was polluted with
the breath of drunkenness and blasphemy.-
Yet to Mrs. Austin she was an interesting
child for she was gentle and affectionate,
and her little shut up heart seemed 10 open
and expand, when a smile of love fell on it,
as the convolvulous unfolds its blossoms 10
the rays of the rising sun.
Mrs. Austin washed her face and combed
her hair. She had pretty, yellow curls, and
a very fair complexion, and the kind lady put
ting on her a clean apron, thought her really
beautiful. The wo-begone expression had
vanished from her pale face, and her blue
eyes sparkled with delight. She seemed for
the first time to enjoy that buoyancy of spirit
which belongs to childhood. All day long
she was busy as a bee, and when night came
and her fathers work was done, she went in
TO Mrs. Austin 10 have the apron taken OF.
Would you like to keep it!' said the la
dy.
'Oh, yes ma'am, said the child, a tear CO.
ming into her eye. Il should like 10 keep il
very much, but it is not mine.'
You may keep it then, dear, and be sure
it is kept clean.'
Sweet and happy were her thoughts that
night as she tripped nome by her fathers
side, and when she laid down on her lone
bed, a princess might have envied her the
beautiful dreams that filled her little head
Thus day after day passed-the work on Mr.
Austin's house went on, and no less visible
was the transformation that was taking place
among the Watsons. The children were
comfortably clothed and sent to school, and
their mother with revived health and courage,
set about cleaning her cottage. The broken
windows were repaired, a few articles of fur
niture purchased, and their hom assumed an
appearance of comfort which it never wore
before.
But the work was at last done, and paid