The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-04-18
CHARDoN GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO. FRIDAY. APRIL 49, 1862

The next day Mrs. Austin sent for little
Mary TO come and speod the day with hor,
and take care Of tho babe. Poor little Mary,
she was not pretty How could sho bo.
with that cold, hungry look, and those dirty
rags about hor: She was not good. for sho
had seen nothing but OWL all her DAYS. The
air sho brcatbed in the crhdlo was polluted
With the breath Of drunkenness and bias.
phemy yet to Mrs. Austin she was an In.
ieresiing child, for sho was gentle and Of.
fectionato; and her littlo. sbut.up heart
seemed to open and expand, when q smile
OF love fell on il, as the convolvu,us unfulds
It's blossoms to tho rays Of tho rising sun.
Mrs. Austin washed her face and combed
her hair. She had pretty yellow curls, and
very fair complexion--and tho kind lady,
putting on he- a clean apron, thought her
really beautiful The wo-begone OF preston
bad vanished from ber pale face. and bor
blue eyes sparkled with delight. She seemed
for the first timo to enjoy that buoyancy of
spirit which belongs to childhood. All day
long sho was busy as a beo and whom plight
came, and her fathers work was doue, she
wont to Mrs. Austin 10 have tho apron
taken off.
would you like to keep it {" asked the
lady.
"Ob, yes, ma'am," replied the child, q
toar coming in her eye. IL should like to
keep it very much, but /. is not mine"
You may keep it, then, dear, and be
sure 1t is kept clean"
Sweet and happy we're her thoughts that
night, as she tripped homo by her fathers
side; and when she lay down on her lone
bed, princess might havo envied her the
beautiful dreams that fillod her little head
Thus day after day passed. The work on
Mr.. Austins house went on, and no less
visible was the transformation that was
taking place among the Watsons. The
children wore soon comfortably clad; they
prattIed all day Of "good Mr.. and Mrs.
Austin;" and when their father returned
from his work at night, they would all run
to welcome him with their kieses, and toll
him of thoir happiness, The heart of tho
poor drunkard was softenod and strength
ened-bis resolution was taken--and each
days labor aud joy confirmed him in his
new lisc. His wife was now all cheerfulness
and love. and rapidly regained hor health.
Their homo soon became as neat as that OF
any of their neighbors; and where before
dwelt only poverty and wretchedness, now
plenty and pleasure prevailed.
Mr.. Austin continued to employ his
neighbor until he heard of person who re-
quirod assistance in his business. Mr.. A.
recommended Watson as good workman,
and as man whom he believed was wholly
reformed. Tho builder was satisfied, aud
offered to employ him for several months.
The offer was received with joy, and tho
reformed inebriato was again placed under
circumstances favorable to his good pur.
poses; and not long after, he was induced
to join temperance socioty--of which he
has ever since been respectable member
year has passed away since the com.
mencement Of our story, and Mrs. Emery
came one day to visit her friend, Mrs,
Austin. In the course of the afternoon, q
we'll dressed ard decent looking woman
came in. leading q little child. Great wa,
the surprise of Mrs. Emery. on being intro
duced to this woman, upon finding that she
was no other than Mrs. Watson. When sht
arose to depart, Mrs. Austin said, "If yor
can spare little Mary, i wish you woulc
send her here this afternoon want hor L
help me-"
"Yes, indeed, ma'am," was the reply
MARY shall coms. for sho is never so happ,
as when she is here. When she had retired
Mrs. Austin said to her friend-
'.You remember your fears that we should
have a great dea; of trouble with these
WatsOns; but there is not family in the
neighborhood who have afforded Us more
pleasure"
"This is strange indeed Mrs. Watson
so changed that did not recognize her
am sure should have known her in hel
former rags and dir. u
"The whole family arc changed, since
Watson left off drinking. They are in
dustrious and honest as any people amonJ
us; but you will soon see little Mary, VIII
is lovely child"
But, tell me, what. has brought thi
mighty change to pass { Are you the ma
gician whose magic wand has brought abou
this great revolution
IL believe there has been no magic EN-
ployed," said Mrs. Avstin, smiling. "w
have given thom lttlo except kind word
and good deal of kind advice"
"Woll, said Mrs. Emery, "you nevor ha'
bad noighbers, and don't believe you eve
will have, if yon have made good neighbor
Of the Watsons."