The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-11-19
WHOLE NO. 3l8.

first where the baby lived, for she felt quite
sure Of kind reception.
Twas joyful welcome they gave her,
for the baby's sister exclaimed:
"Oh here is the pleasant lady who stop
ped to look at Patsy the other day Oh |!
she is coming right in here"
"lt is too dirty place for the like o
ye," said Patsey's mother.
Never mind" said our sunshiny Mrs.
Baldwin. II felt like dropping in, and
thought would take the liberty"
BLESS ye for it am ashamed to have
a rale lady to see my house. Things didn't
used to 60 SO wid me No iniade I" And
the poor woman poured her life's history
into the strangers'S ear.
Tears filled the loving listeners eyes,
and she replied:
II think can understand your feelings,
my good woman. A poor, weary body
must require rest, after she has been out
over wash tub all day; hut this smart
little girl, who swept the walk so nicely
the other day. would make capital house
keeper. am sure. Won't you try it, my
little girl Vent you place everything,
and scrub everything up clean, aud keep
nice and tidy: Try SO when call again
can see how nice you look here Wash
your dear little baby brothers face, and
brush, his hair, and have his clothing clean,
and shall love to tend and kiss him, for
he ~ beautiful baby | think"
Mrs. Baldwin called upon every family
in Howard street that afternoon. None
treated her rudely, and many opened their
hearts to her, as the baby's mother had
done. She 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 checrlcss home
after she had gone.
In two or three weeks Mrs Baldwin call
ed 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 it
was the same place where she had called
before. The cobwebs had been brushed
| down the old broom, instead Of doing
service in the mud puddle, had swept and
scrubbed the floor. Everything was in or
der. A few weeds and common flowers
formed bouquet for the table, and the
Growing, capering baby was perfectly be.
witching in his wholesome cleanliness.
"well done, my brave little girl hope
you will keep on"
keep on! Indade, an I will keep on,
nam! Father says he won't stop away
nights, as long as everything is so nice and
pleasant here-and my mother says she
can rest great deal better when she comes
home, and her face looks so happy, too T.
Oh amt it nice to be clean"
| Gonna had Co;lo1 ,.,,., n,,k th.:.
Of reform hut others had succeeded, and
testified to the delights Of neat, orderly
home. The indolent and discouraged house
keepers were reused by the good example
Of their neighbors, and one by one they
followed suit, until at length the leaven had
lcavened the whole lump.
! After two or three such friendly visits
Mrs. Baldwin took some tracts with her
They were not only kindly received, bu
different families met together to hear then
read-not SO much for the good they nigh
st as Cor the kind lady's sake. The tract:
produced some good effects, however, an,
, from time to time there were added to tn
various city churches from the inhabitant
Of Howard street Of such as should b.
saved
1t was two years ago that Mrs. Baldwi,
made her first call at the dirty aiiey! ant
now the walk which shortened the wa,
down is filled with neat cottages, with flow
ers in the yards and vines curtaining th'
windows the houses Of sober, contentct
men and omen. Mrs. jefferson wonders
and many others, what can have wrough
such happy changes. Mrs. Baldwin ha
never hlaznned her successful work aboard
l L. a. L. II 4
instrument Of beginning to work in How
| 81