Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-05-17

They reached home, and Mrs. A. found
she had a pair of shoes and shawl fol
little Mary. and some medicine for heI
mother.
The child had never been 80 happy be-
fore az she was when she tripped home
that night. She was not only delighted
with the presents which she had received
but the kind words and kind looks Of heI
friend had fallen like sunshine upon hel
heart.
When Mr.. Austin came home, his wife
informed him of the call which she had
made. ...
"The situation of the family is trulJ
depiorable," she added; els there moth
ing we can do for them ?"
Indeed / do not know" replied her
husband.
"If there is doubt not you will think
of it."
"Watson is terribly besotted ! met
hin, tonight Keeling home, probably to
abuse his family and yet they say, when
he ia sober. he is kind-hearted, peae e.'ble
man,
"He has good trade; and ifhe could
be prevailed upon to work without drink
ing, he could support his family we'll
His poor wife seems indolent and hope
less; but if she could see the prospect
of better days, she would no doubt 10
better"
"To be sure. replied Mr.. Austin, he
has a good trade and was once considered
the best workman in town; but he has
become so Incorporate, that no one will
employ him. / don't know what sup
ports his family they must be often in
wretched restitution"
"Wretched restitution indeed p ex-
claimed his wife. And now l think how
we may help them. You know we want
some one to work on the house immedl-
ately. Employ him-and perhaps by
keeping him out of the way Of temptation
and giving proper encouragement, we
NAV induce him to break off his brutal
habits"
"That is good idea, Jane, and I will
see him to morrow, and try to engage
him."
The next morning the Watsons were
not little surprised to see MIR. Austin
enter their dwelling. His heart grew
sick at the prospect of sin and misery
around him. The shiveiing children
were eagerly pressing round a table on
which there was no food except a few
potatoes. The father was standing at a
shelf, preparing his morning rotations;
and Mrs. w. with uncombed hair and
dirty face, stood in a menacing attitude,
upbraiding him with loud and angry
words.
GOOD morning, Mr.. Watson" said
he
"Good morning, sir, replied the poor
man, with hiccough. al don't fell well
this morning, and was about to take some
bitters.'
Don't take them-they will do you
no good-and I want to talk with you
about business
Watson looked at him with surprise,
and then pushing the glas from him, sea-
ted himself to hear what he had to say.
al wish to hire you to work on my
house, continued Mr.. A We have
several unfinished rooms, and if you will
come, will pay you at Mr.. Frost's store,
where you can obtain 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 usu
ally treated, that he felt his heart expand
he again was man among men.
The bargain was closed; and the next
morning, true to his promise, Watson
came to his work. He commenced, but
his hand was unsteady, and his manner
restless. Mr.. Austin noticed it, and kept
him engaged in cheerful conversation.
Before noon he asked for cider. He was
told he could have none; but Mr.. Aus
tin sent him mug of hot ginger beer,
which he drank eagerly, for his thirst
was intense. He kept at his work, but
evidently suffered much for the want of
his accustomed stimulant.
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 and encouraging word babe
him good night. When he got home,
and exhibited, large salt fish and bag
of -four, the children shouted for Joy. 1t
takes but little to make children happy.
Alas, that that little should be denied
them! Mrs. Watsons 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 half-naked children. and
witnessed the Joy which one days labor
had conferred on them. He placed Ma
~ upon his knees. 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 remembered his OWL
neglect and hopeless childhood-for be
80 Iy,.uIard'e child He saw that