Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-05-11
From the Dorr Morning Star.
The Family whs Never Had Bad
Neirhbors.

so you have btought the pleasant
farm where Mr.. Dalton used to live,"
said Mr.. Emory te Mrs. Austin. "It is
q pretty place, but aher all. l shall not
envy you, for there will be the Watsons
right under your elbow and worse neigh
bors you never found. Watson you
know. spends oil he can get for liquor,
and his wife is little better than himself; |;
indeed some say if she was the woman
she should be, her husband would be a
better man. And there are their chill
dren, the pests efthc whole neighbor-
hood-brought up to idrness aud mis-
chief, they bid fair to perpctuate their
parents characters.
Poor children % said Mrs. Austin,
monrnfully, "what better can we expect
of them that they will perpetuate their
parents characters, except there be a
redecming influence cast around them.
Their poor mother has had much to har-
den her heart. She was an orphan, cast
out OH the world in infancy. Her heart
never unfolded the bu.ts of its affections,
beneath the genial smiles ofparental love
Everything in her that was good was
checked and blasted by the evil influences
which surrounded her How can we ex-
pcct one TO be good and kind, who never
knew what kindness was hersslfl We
do not know Mrs. Emery, what we
should be, ifonr fate had been like hers"
"True." replied Mrs. f., =" but It does
seem as if she might know enough TO lie,
her neighbors' property alone you know
they say she will steal"
" She does not know that she should
not steal. But you and ought to thank
Heaven that strong az we think our prin-
ciples to be, they have not been tried by
temptations such as hers. We do not
know wha, it is to he hungry, and cold,
and to see our little ones shivering around
ia, crying for bread, while our neighbors
have enough and to spare"
Very WE'LL" said Mrs Emery, rather
indignantly, "we shall see how you will
like to have your clothes-line and your
frui,-trees robbed every now and then"
That will be very unpleasant if it
occurs" was the quiet reply. But !
believe that society is guilty for great
deal Of the mischiefit suffers from such
persons. They are educated in poverty
and vice. No smile Of love falls OH their
cherries ch,ldhood-no kind voice warns
them Of the evils which surround their
path--no kind hand is extended to raise
them mp when falling but they are often
repelled with aversion and contempt, by
those who profess TO be Christians and
phllanthropists."
"You have singular notions. Mrs.
Austin" reioined her friend. For my
sell, must confess, cannot help feel
ing an aversion for such people, and
wishing them as far off as possible"
We never bad bad neighbors," said
Mrs Austin, though,fully. "If this
family cannot be improved. it may be
very unpleasant living by them"
A few days after the above conversa-
ton, Mr.. and Mrs. Austin took possess
ION Of their new home. They were hum
BILE. nnpretending people, but they were
Christians, and they had learned to be-
lieve it their duty, to initiate the example
Of their master, who came to seek and
save that which was lost. They we're not
among those whose sympathies are mac
tive, when excited by the miseries which
passes before their eyes.
They had entered upon sphere which
was to give trial to their patience, and
an opportunity for the exercise Of their
christian benevolence. AS soon as they
were settled, Mrs Austin called on tie
Watsons. 1t was not without n feeling
Of loathing tha. she entered their ruinous
hovel, but she was resolved to become
acquainted with them, aud, if possible,
to do them good. The children, poor
lntleldlrty half naked creatures ran away
10 hide when she entered, and Mrs. Wat
son, with a look Of surprise, rose up and
offered her q broken chair.
I'VE have just come into the place"
she said, and as ! am anxious to be-
come acquainted with my neighbors, |
have taken the liberty to call
:" am much Obliged" replied Mrs.
Watson. People seldom take SO much
notice Of u.s."
Mrs. Anstin inquired kindly respecting her
health, and found hat the poor woman was
far from being well. The children began to
creep around She displayed handful ofap-
pies, which she took from her pocket, and they
soon gathered around her. She gave each an
apple, ard patted their curly heads, with kind
and gentle words The little creatures looked
wildly at her, as if unable 10 comprehend the
cause Of such unwonted kindness.
When the kud lady rose to depart, she as
ked Mrs. Watson to lei Mary, child ofseven
years old accompany her home, that she might
send her some medicines. The child sprung
forward with a cry Of pleasure, and placing her
hand in Mrs. Austin's looked up aifeciionaiely
into her face; then starting hack, she looked al
her mother, who she remembered had not CIV
en- her consent. Mrs. W. told Mary that she
might go, but promised her whipping if she
WIS not back soon
Mis-. Austin took the child by the hand and
departed IL ras cold day in November,
and the wind nuttered poor Muy's frock, and
blew back the tangled culrs from her naked
brow. Mrs Austin tied her handkerchief over
hr head.
Are not your feet cold" she said, as she
looked down and saw that she had no shoes.
"Yes ma am, said Mary, but mother says
VIC shall get no shoes this winter, for father
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