Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-03-16

even Mr. Baldwin what she proposed to do,
she set out to make some calls among them.
Sho thought she would call first where the
baby lived. for she felt quite sure of kind
reception there. Twas right joyful vel
como they gave her for baby's sister ex-
claimed, 80 here is the pleasant lady who
stopped to look at Patsey the other day
Oh she's coming right in here :!
"lt's too dirty place for the like Of ye,
said Patsey's mother.
"Nevcr mind" said our sunshiny Mrs.
Baldwin, IL felt like dropping in, and J
thought would take the liberty"
"Bless ye for it but am ashamed to have
a rale lady sec my house. Things didn't use
to go so wild me No, indade and the poor
woman poured her lifes history into the
strangers ear.
Tears filed the listeners loving eyes and
she replied ~ think can understand your
feelings, my good woman. A poor, weary
body must require rest after she has been out
over wash-tub all the day-but this smart
little girl who swept the walk so nicely for
me the other day, could make a capital house
keeper, ! am sure. Won't you try 1t, my
little girl; Won't you find place for every
thing. and scrub everything up clean, and
Keep Nllt NONNt ulNN anu NlAF 1T H' W nv
/ call again | can say how nice you look
here ! Wash your dear little baby-brother' s
face, and brush his hair, and have his clothing
clean, and | shall love to tend and kiss him,
for he is beautiful baby, think"
Mrs. Baldwin called upon every family in
Howard street that afternoon. None treated
her rudely, aud many opened their hearts to
her, as the babys mother had done. They
promised to follow the kind advice she offered
while her tears fell with theirs. and the kind
look and encouraging words left sunbeams in
the cheerless homes after she had gone.
In two or three weeks Mrs. Baldwin called
again. Baby's sister bounded to meet her
exclaiming with delight, The sweet lady has
come at last she's come at last :!
The sweet lady could hardly believe il
was the same place where she called before
The cob-webs bad been brushed down. The
old broom, instead of doing service in the
mud-puddle had swept and scrubbed the
floor Everything was in order. A few
weeds and common flowers formed bouquet
for the table, and the Growing, capering baby
was perfectly bewitching in his wholesome
cleanliness
"Wen done my brave little girl hop'
you will keep on
Keep on Indade and ] will keep on
ma am Father says he won stay away nighti
as long as everything is so nice and plcasan
here-aud mother says she can rest grea
deal better when she comes home, and hei
face looks so happy, too aint it nice tC
be clean :"
Some had failed TO carry out their plans o
reform but others had succeeded and testitieC
TO the delights of neat, orderly home. The
indolent and discouraged housekeepers wer'
reused by the good example of their neigh
bors. and one by one they followed suit, unit
at length the leayen had leayened the whole
lump.
After two or three such friendly visits, Mrs
Baldwin took some tracts with her. The!
were not only kindly received but di1eren
families met together to hear them read, -
not so much for the good they might get az
for the kind ladys sake. The tracts pro
duced good effects. however, and time to tim,
there were added to the various city churches
from the inhabitants Of Howard street, o
such as shall be saved
IL was two years ago that Mrs. b. made ho
I first cal in the dirty alley, and now the wall
which shortened the way down town is liue'
with neat cottages, with flowers in the yard
and vines curtaining the windows-the home
of sober, contented, working men and women
Mrs Jefferson wonders, with many others
what can ever have wrought such happ,
changes. Mrs Baldwin has never bazone,
her successful work abroad, but she thank
| God that He made her the humble instru
ment of beginning the good work in Howar,
street.