The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1849-05-16

ing The evening. tbs past lie caTne %
befnre him. He remembered hrs own
neglected and hopeless childhnod- for he
was : drunkarsl's child. lie saw ihal The
evil habits which he ihen contracted were
working the ruin Of himself aud family /;
and The question came home 10 his heart
whether he should entail like curse on
his posieriIy. and make The liule ones
around him ouirasis from socieIy like him
self. He resolved lLai for once. Al least,
he would not drink. He lay down on
his pillow thai night with a feeling nf sa-
iisfaelion that he had no. experienced for
years.
The next day Mrs. Austin seri for liz
lie Mary 10 come and spend The day with
her, and take care OF The babe. Poor Ia
ile Mary. she was not pretty How could
she be. with that ruld. hungry look. and
those dirty rags abou, her! She was not
good, foi she had seen nothing but evil all
her days. The air she brealhed in the
cradle was polluted with The breath of
and blasphemy vel Ia Mrs.
Austin she WAS an interesting child. for
she was gentle and aiTrciionaie and her
lillle shui-np heart seemed 10 open and
expand, when smile 81 love fill IN IL. as
the cnnvolvulus uninlds IFS blossoms 10 the
rays Of the rising sun.
Mrs. Austin washed her face and comb
ed 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 her blue eyes sparkled with delight.
She seemed for The first time t. enjoy that
hnoyancy Of spiri. which belongs 10 child
hood. All day long she was as busy as
a bee; and when night came. and her
fathers work was done, she went 10 Mrs.
Austin TO have the apron taken OF.
"Would you like 10 keep il!' asked
,he lady.
"oh. yes, ma'am," replied the child,
tear coming in her eye. 81 should
like 10 keep il very much. but il is moi
NINE"
You may keep il, then. dear, and be
sure it's KEEP, clean"
Sweet and happy were ier ansh,,!,.-,
night. as she iripped home 81 hel fathers
side; when she lay down On her lone bed,
princess might have enyied her ,he beau.
iiful dreams that filed her title head.
Thus day after day passed. The work
on Mr.. Ausiin's house went OF, and 10
less visible was the transformation thai
was taking place among the Wslsons.
The children were soon comfortably clad /:
they pratiled all day Of good Mr.. and
Mrs. Austin; !" and when their father re.
turned from his work at night, they would
all run 10 welcome him with their kisses,
aud Tell him OF their happiness. he
heart Of the poor drunkani was solIened
and strengthened-his resolution was Ia.
ken--and each days labor and jov con-
iirmed him in his new life. His wife was
now all cheerlulness and love, and rapid.
" regained her health. Their home soon
became as neat and tidy as that OF any oi
their neighbors; and where before dwell
only poverty and wrelchedness, now plen.
" and pleasure prevailed.
Mr.. Austin continued To employ his
neighbor until he heard Of person whu
REQUIRED assistance in his business, Mr..
A. recommended Watson as good work.
man. and as man whom he believed was
wholly reformed. The builder was sails.
fed, and offered to employ him for seye.
raj months.
The offer was received with JOY, and
the reformed inebriate was again placed
under circumstances favorable 10 his good
purposes and, not long after, he was in.
duccd 10 join temperance sociely-ol
which he has ever since been respecla.
Bile member.
4 year has passed away since the com.
mencement Of our story, and Mrs. Emery
came one day 10 visit her friend. Mrs.
Austin. In the course Of the afternoon,
a well dressed and ,lecent-looking woman
came in. leading little child. Great was
The surprise of Mrs. Emery. on being in.
troduced 10 this woman, TO find thai she
was no other than MIS-. Watson. When
she arose to depart, Mrs. Austin said
j" II you can spare little Mary. ] wish you
would send her here this afternoon wanl
her to help me-"
Yes. indeed, ma'am," was the reply;
]" Mary shall come, for she is never sc
happy as when she is here"
When she had retired, Mrs. Austin said
TO her friend
You remember your fears that we
should have great deal Of trouble with
these Watsons but there is not family
in the neighborhood who have afforded U:
more pleasure"
"This is strange indeed! Mrs. Wat
son so changed, that did not recognis.
her! am sure should have known hel
in her former rags and dirt"
.The whole family are changed. since
Watson left Of drinking. They are in
duslrious and honest As any people