The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-06-09
| would rather be right than be Prcsident-H Clay
} 40. DAVENPORT SCOTT CO.. IOWA: THURSDAY JJ
THE RESCUED FAMILY.
An Incident in the History Of the Ladies' Hol
Mission at the Five Points

THE RESCUED FAMILY.
q An Incident in the History Of the Ladies' Home
\ Mission at the Five Points
The onward history Of the Mission at the
Five Points has been sketched; from time to
time, in the public prints; but there are facts
J and incidents connected with it which have
minlstered encouragement to the laborers in
this unpromising field, the narration of
(which cannot fail to interest every philan-
Ethropic heart. The public who have con-
attributed SO literally towards the erection Of
sanctuary of refuge on a spot-the Old
iBreWery-where sin has slain its thousands.
are entitled to ask for the trophies in this
holy war against vice and iniquity. The
following narration, therefore, cannot fail to
be interesting. We give it in the words Of
the lady in whose experience at the Mission
the facts were brought out:
In the early part Of June, 1850, shortly af-
ter the opening Of the Mission room, OBJ
served, one Sunday morning, among the
children gathered in the school, girl of eight
or nine years ofage, whose innocent express
sion of countenance was SO strongly con-
trasted with the bold air of most other asso-
cates that it attracted my attention. When
the school was dismissed asked her name,
where she lived, &c. She seemed to shrink
from the glance which | cast upon her tat
tered, filthy garments and dishevelled hair.
'Do you know where the Tabernacle ISL
! asked. "Oh, yes; sweep the street there
sometimes, and sell mint at the hotel near
it, "Will you come to my house to-mor-
row morning, at No. -, near the Taberna-
Gle! wish to see you.'
| At nine O'Clock the next morning she
was at the door. took her to the laundry,
had her put into tub of water, where she
got thorough ablution, and had afterwards
her hair well COMEDIAN operation to which
it seemed it had been months, if not years a
stranger. AS had little daughter about
her age, whose clothes would fit her, cloth
ed her from head to foot, and when the bon.
net was put upon her head the poor child
4 looked up with pleased and happy expires.
sion of countenance, and broke the silence
which she had maintained throughout the
entire ceremony, as she exclaimed, "Oh
Ma'am, how good feel" Soap and water
with clean clothes, had made potent trans
formation, and the little, clean, satisfied face
that looked out from the bonnet amply re-
warded me. On leaving, she was told she
must keep her clothes neat for the coming
Sabbath and another suit was in part provid-
ed for her. The following Sabbath she was
one ofthe first at the Mission school, in as
neat trim as she had left me the Monday be-
fore. In the interim she had resumed her
usual garb, to pursue her ordinary ayocation,
which was sweeping the street and supplying
markets and hotels with mint for ssmint iu-
leps.''
Little James altered appearance made so
favorable an impression on her associates. s
nted hHed by y an example Of cleanliness among
their number. Ny eye again sought out and
found the same innocent expression of face
in an honest, well behaved lad of about IA
years of age. Hewas SO retiring and modest
in his bearing, that / resolved to speak with
him when school was dismissed. | did so;
invited him to my house; had him dressed;
sent him to the hatters for cap, and had him
fully prepared for the next Sabbath.
Upon inquiry, learned to my surprise that
he was brother to little Jane. The panta-
! looms which we had provided for him being
too long told him to ask his mother to put a
tuck in them, just where put the pins for a
mark.
The next Sunday both the children were
at the Mission school. clean and neatly dress
ed but 10 alteration had been made in the
palAloons: the pins remaining just where
had left them as marks for a tuck.
He caught my eve as entered and while
speaking with him observed he was chew
ing tobacco. / desired him to come to my
house on the morrow. When he came
asked him if he believed | was his friend
80 yes ma am, | guess do" Then wish
you to feel, my boy, that what | wish to say
to you is the expression of my interest in
your welfare, and wish you to be open and
frank with me, and answer me truly; do not
be afraid to own anything that is wrong in
yourself, for | know you are surrounded by
much to lead you astray From the look he
gave me | felt l had his confidence. "Do
YOU swear Joseph!'' '.Yes ma'am.'' "Do
YOU drink!' "No ma'am.'' "Do you break
the Sabbath!" "Yes ma a'am, am afraid
do.'' "Do you steal!" His no was so em-
phasized and elongated, as with look of al
most triumphant innocence he said, Il never
stole pin in all my life ''Well, Joseph
do you chew tobacco!" "Yes ma'am''-
"Quarrcl with bad boys in the streetsr'-
I"Yes, they lick me first, pay them back,
that's ALL
i Upon further inquiry, found he had been
employed for two years, setting up pins in an
alley in the basement of one OF our principal
hotels. For this work he received two dol
lars and a half week, but the poor child was
kept up nearly all night, and then sold papers
to fill up his other waking hours. When |
asked him why he had not had his pantaloons
made shorter, he hestated: he seemed un-
willing to answer, but on my repeating the
question with the assurance that it was no
fault il he had forgotten his mother, he replied
while his eyes filled with tears, and his lip
quivered with emotion. "My mother drinks
ma'am." "Cannot you persuade your moth
erro become sober!" said l. mo ma'am
she will not take the pledge" ltook down
book and asked him If he could read it
"Quite imperfectly," was the sensible reply.
| then read to him various incidents related
, in anecdotes for the young by the late Rev.
Daniel Smith, concerning the swearer, the
Sabbath breaker, and the drunkard, showing
him how signally God would bless even the
efforts OF child to rescue parent from in
temperance. The silent tear rolled down
his cheek as urged upon him the necessity
of doing all he could to rescue himself and
| family from the vices to which they were adj
dicted and he said most earnestly, 81 will
not swear any more, nor chew any more to-
bacco." A few days after this promise was
made, observed Joseph again chewing.
said to him kindly, $50 Joseph, your habit oil
,ha ~ v-,S tpn ~ ypu cOnld not keen