Saturday morning visitor., 1848-12-09

takes but little 10 make children happy
Alas! that that little should be denied
them. Mrs. Watson's face wore an ex.
preston Of pleasure quite unusual TO her
while she went TO prepare supper.
A tear came into the fathers eye, as he
looked upon his halfnaked children, and
witnessed the joy which one days labor
had conferred OH them. He placed Mary
on his knees and kissed her cheek Nth
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 remembered his own hopeless
and neglected childhood; for he was a
drnnkard'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 like curse on
his posterity and make the little around
him outcastS from society like himself
He resolved that for one eek at least he
would not drink. He lay down on his
pillow that night with feeling of salts
faction that he had not experienced for
years.
The next day Mrs. Austin sent for lit
tie Mary 10 come and spend the day with
her, and take care of the baby. Poor Ill
tie Mary she was not pretty. How
could she be, with that cold hungry look,
and those disty rags about her? She was
not good for she had seen nothing but e.
VII all her days. The air she breathed in
The cradle was polluted with the breath OF
drunkenness and blasphemy. Yet 10 Mrs
Austin she was an interesting child; for
she was gentle and afiectionate, and her
little siut-up heart seemed 10 open and
expand, when smile of love fell OH il, as
the convol,ulus nnfolds lis blossoms TO the
rays Of the rising sun.
Mrs. Austin ashed her face md comb
cd her hair. She had pretty, yellow curls,
and very fair complexion, and the kind
lady putting on her clean apron, thought
her really beautiful. The wo-begone ex-
preston had vanished from her pale face,
and he blue eyes sparkled with delight
She seemed Tor tie first time 10 enjoy that
buoyancy Of spirit which belongs 10 child
hood. All day long she was as busy as
bee, and when night came and her fathers
work was done, she went IN TO Mrs. Aus
tin 10 have the apron taken off.
"Would you like 10 keep it?' said the
lady.
ooh, yes, ma'am," said the child, tear
coming into her eye. II should like to
keep it 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 home by her ia
lher's side, and when she lay down on her
lone bed, a princess might have envied
her the beautiful dreams that filled her lit
lie head. Thus day afer day passed
The work on Mr.. Austins house went on,
and no less visible was the transformation
hat was taking place among the Watsons.
The children were soon comfortably clad
hey prattled all day of good Mr.. and
Mrs. Austin" and when their father re-
urned from his work al night, they would
all run TO welcome him with their kisses,
and tell him of their happiness. The
heart Of the poor drunkard was softened |
md strenethened-hi his resolution was Ia
each days labor and Joy con-
frned him in lis new life. His wife was
low all cheeriulness and love, and rapid
y regained her health. Their home soon
became as neat and tidy as any of their
,elghbors' and where before dwelt only
poverty and wretchedness, now plenty
md pleasure prevailed.
Mr., Austin continued TO employ his
leighbor until he heard of person who
equired assistance in his business. Mr..
A. recommended Watson as good work
nan, and as man whom he believed 10
,e wholly reformed. The builder was
a:isiied, and offered 10 employ him for
eyeral months.
The offer Was received with Joy. and
he reformed inebriate was again placed
lnder circumstances favorable 10 his good
purposes; and not long ailer, he was in.
luced TO join a temperance society, Of
which he has ever since been Tsspecta-
member.
a year has passed away since the com
nencement Of our story, and Mrs. Emery
ame one day TO visit her friend, Mrs.
Austin. In the course Of the afternoon
veil dressed and decent looking woman
anne in, leading little child. Great was
he surprise Of Mrs. Emery, on being in
reduced 10 this woman, 70 find that she
vas no other than Mrs. Watson. When
he arose to depart, Mrs. Austin sald to
er;
"lf you can spare little Nary, | wish |
ou would send her here this afternoon, |
want her 10 help me-"
ayes, indeed" was The reply, "Afsry |
hall come, for abe is never 20 happy as |
vhen she is here"
When she was gone, Mrs. A. said 10