Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-05-29

hlm-and perhaps by keeping him out of the
way of temptation, and giving proper encour-
agement, we may induce him to break off his
brutal habits
THAT is a good idea, Jane, and l will see
him tomorrow, and try to engage him.
The next morning the Watsons were not a
little surprised to see Mr.. 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 table on which there was no food ex-
cept few potatoes. The father was stand
ing at shelf preparing his morning pota-
tions; and Mrs. W., with uncombed hair and
dirty face, stood in menacing attitude, up
brading 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 with you about bus
iness.'
Watson looked at him with surprise, and
then pushing the glass from him, seated HIM
selfto hear what he had to say.
Il wish to hire you to work on my house,
continued Mr. A. 'We have several unfin-
ished rooms, and if you will come, | will pay
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
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 ask
cd 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 work, but
evidently suffered much for the want of his
accustomed stimulants.
When night came, Mr.. A. took him to the
store, and paid for his work in some articles
necessary for his family; and, with a kind
and encouraging word, babe him good night.
When he got home, and exhibited a large
salt fish and a bag of flour, the children shout
ed for Joy. 1t takes but little to make chill
dren happy. Alas, that that little should be
denied them Mrs. Watson's face wore an
expression 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 wit
messed the JOY which one days labor had
conferred on them. He placed Mary 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 re-
membcred his own neglected and hopeless
childhood-for he was a drunkard'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 te
his heart whether he should entail a like curse
on his postcrity, and make the little ones a.
round him outcasts from society like himself
He resolved that for once, at least he would
not drink. lie lay down on his pillow thai
night with feeling of satisfaction 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 babe. Poor little Mary
she was not pretty! How could she be
with that cold, hungry look, and those dirty
rags about her! 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 blasphe
my; yet to Mrs. Austin she was an interest
ing child, for she was gentle and affectionate
and her little silut-up heart seemed to opel
and expand, when smile of love fell on it
as the convolvulus unfolds its blossoms t
they rays of the rising sun.
! Mrs. Austin washed her face and combe,
her hair. She had pretty yellow curls, an
very fair complexion-and the kind lad
putting Oh her a clean apron, thought he
really beautiful! The wo-begone expression
had vanished from her pale face, and her blu
eyes sparkled with delight. She seemed 70
the first time to enjoy that buoyancy of spiri
which belongs to childhood. All day lon
she was as busy as bee; and when nigh
came, and her fathers work was done, sh
went to Mrs Austin to have the apron take
of.
Would you like to keep it!' asked the lady
ooh ,,oe ro1l,o1 ba ob;JJ 70,