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

is guilty of a great deal OF The mischief 1t
suffers from such persons. They are educa-
ted in poverty and vice; no smiles of love
fall OH their cheerless childhood; no kind
voice warns them of the evils which surround
their path no kind hand is extended to raise
them up when falling; but they are often
repelled with aversion and contempt by those
who profess to be Christians and Philan-
| thropists.'
/ You have singular notions, Mrs. Austin,
rejoined her friend. For myself, | confess, |
cannot help feeling an aversion TO such peo-
pie, and wish them as far off as possible
j I'VE never bad neighbors,' said Mrs.
Austin, thoughtfully; 'if this family cannot be
improved, it may be very unpleasant living
by them
/ A few days after the above conversation,
Mr.. and Mrs. Austin took possession of their
new home. They were humble, unpretend-
ing people, but they were Christians, and
they had learned to believe it their duty to
initiate the example of their Master. They
were not among those whose sympathies were
/ inactive, when excited by miseries which
pass before their eyes.
They had entered upon sphere which was
TO give trial to their patience, and an oppor-
tunity for the exercise to their Christian be-
nevolcnce. As soon as they were settled,
Mrs. Austin called upon the Watsons. 1t
was not without feeling of loathing that she
entered that ruinous hovel; but she was re-
solved to get acquainted with them, and, if
possible, to do them good. The children
poor, little, dirty, halfnaked things-ran a.
way to hide, when she entered; and Mrs.
Watson, with look of surprise, arose and
offered her a broken chair.
'We have just come into the place. said
she and as | am anxious to become ac-
quainted with my neighbors, have taken the
liberty to call
i am much obliged said Mrs. Watson
People seldom take so much notice of u.s.
Mrs Austin inquired kindly respecting her
health, and found that the poor woman was
far from being we'll. The children began to
creep around. She displayed handful of
apples which she took from her pocket, and
they soon gathered around her. She gave
each an apple, and patted their curly heads,
with kind and gentle words. The little crea-
lures looked wildly at her, as if unable to
comprehend the cause, of such unwonted
/ kindness.
When the kind lady arose to depart, she
asked Mrs Watson to let Mary child o:
seven years-accompany her home, that she
might send her some medicines.
The child sprang forward with cry of
pleasure, and, placing her hand in that of
Mrs. Austin, looked up affectionately in her
face; then starting back, she looked at her
mother, who, she remembered, had not given
( her consent. Mrs. w. told Mary she might
60, but promised her whipping if she was
not back soon.
Mrs. Austin took the child and Departed
1t was cold day in Noyember-and the
wind fiuttered poor Mary's frock, and blew
the tangled curls from her naked brow
Mrs. Austin tied her handkerchief over the
child's head. 'Are your feet cold 2 she ask
ed, as she looked down, and saw that she had
no shoes on.
'Yes mama, said Mary; 'but mother says
we shall get no shoes this winter, for father
spends all he can get for drink
They reached home, and Mrs. A. found
she had pair of shoes and a shawl for little
Mary, and some medicine for her mother
The child had never been so happy before
as she was when she tripped home that night
She was not only delighted with the pres
ents which she had received, but the kind
words and kind looks of her friend had fall
len like sunshine upon her heart.
When Mr.. Austin came home, his wife in
formed him of the call she had made.
The situation of the family is truly deplor
able she added; 8 is there nothing that VIZ
can do for them g
Indeed do not know replied her hus
band.'
IF there is, doubt not you will think o
it.
Watson is terribly besotten; | met hin
= tonight, reeling home, propably to abuse hi
family; and yet they say, when he is sober
he is kind-hearted, peaceable man.
'Iie has good trade; and if he could b
!. prevailed upon to work without drinking, h
could support his family well. His poor wifi
; seems indolent and hopeless; but, if she coul
see the prospects ofbetter days, she would N
doubt do better.
S TO be sure replied Mr.. Austin, thought
0 fully, 'he has good trade, and was once cor