Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-04-12

ticles necessary for his family and, with a
kind aud encouraging word bade him good
night. When he got home, and exhibited
a large salt fish and bag of -four, the chill
dren shouted for joy 1t takes but little to
make children happy. Alas. that that lit.
tie 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 hnlf.naked children, and
witnessed the joy which one days labor had
conferred on them. lie placed Mary upon
his knees, and kissed her cheek with paren.
tai kindness. His passions had been check.
ed, his better nature was aroused, and he
sat thoughtful and silent during the evening
Ills past life came up before him. He
remembered his cwn neglected and hopeless
childhood-for he was a drunkard's child
He saw that the evil habits which be then
contracted were working the ruia Of him
self aud fumly and the question came
home TO his heart whether he should entail
like curse on his posterity, and make the
little ones around him outcasts from society
like himself He lay down on his pillow
that night with feeling of satisfaction that
he had not experienced for years.
The next day Mrs. Anstin sent for little
Mary TO come and spend the day With her.
and take care Of the babe. Poor little Ma.
ry 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 pol
uIed with the breath Of drunkenness aud
bla'phemy yet to Mrs. Austin she was an
interesting child, for she was gentle and
aifpctionate and her little shut up heart
seemed TO open and expand, when smile
of love fell on it, as the convolvulus unfoldS
its blossoms to the rays of the rising sun.
Mrs. Austin washed her face and comhe |
her hair She had pretty yellow curlS, and
very fair compleXiOn--und the kind lady
putting on her q clean apron, thought
her really beautiful The wo-begone eX
preston had vanished from her pale face,
and her blue eyes sparkled with delight She
seemed for the first time to enjoy that
buoyancy of spirit which belong to child
hood All day long she was busy as bee;
and when night came, and her fntter's
work was done, she went to Mrs. Austin
to have the apron taken off.
Would you like to keep it ? asked the
lady.
Oh, yes, ma'am, replied the child, a tear
coming in her eye. / should like to keep
it very much, but it is not mine.
You may keep it, then, dear, and be sure
| it is kept clean.
Swee. and happy were her thoughts tha
night, as she trpped home by her father
side and when she lay down on her lon
bed, princes might have enved her tn
beautiful dreams that filled her little head
Thus day after day passed The work o.
Mr.. Austin's house went on, and no les
visible was the transformation that wa
taking place among the WatsonS. Th
children were soon comfortably clad the
prattlcd all day of good Mr.. and Mrs
Austin and when their father returned
from his work at night, they would all rul
TO welcome him with their kisses and tel
him of their happiness. The heart of th,
poor drunkard was softened and strengthen
ed-hiS resolution was taken--and eacl
days labor and JOY confirmed him in hi'
|
ness and love, and rapidly rcgained her
health Their home soon became as neat
and tidy as that of any of their neighbors
and where before dwelt only poverty aud
wretchCdness, now plenty aud pleasure pre-
vailed.
Mr. Austen continued 10 employ his neigh
Dor until he heard of person who required
assistance in his business Mr.. A. recommend
ed Watson as a good workman, and as a man
whom be belived was wholly reformed. The
builder was satisfied aud offered to employ him
for several months.
The was received with joy, and the reformed
inebriate was again placed under circumstances
faborable to his good purposes and, not long
after, he was induced to join temperance soci-
ety-of which he has ever suce been res
pectabe member.
A year has passed away since the commence
ment of our story and Mrs. Emery came one
dav to visit her friend, Mrs Austin. In the
course of the afternoon, well dressed and
decent-looking woman came in, leading little
child. Great was the surprise Of Mrs. Emery
on beino introduced to this woman, upon tnd
inc that she was no other than Mrs. Watson
When she arose to depart, Mrs Austin said, ii
YOU can spare little Mary wish you woulC
send her here this afternoon l want her tC
help me-"
Yes. indeed ma'am, was the reply Mary
shall eome, for she is never so happy a
when she is here.
When she had retired, Mrs. Austin suiC
to her friend
You remember your fears that we shoulC
have a great deal of trouble with thes
Watsons but there is not family in tn
neighborhood who have afforded US NOR
pleasure.
This is strange indeed Mrs Watson s.
changed, that did not recognize her !
am sure | should have known her in he
former rags and dirt
The whole family are changed, sine
Watson left Of drinking. They are il
dustrious ard honest as any people among
US but you will soon see little Mary, VIII
is lively child.
But, tell me, what has brought thi
mighty change to pass ? Are you the ms
giclan whose magic wand has brought abou
this great revout on
believe there has been no magic employ
ed, said Mrs. Austin, smiling. We hay
given them little except kind words aud