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

A few days after the above conversation,
Mr.. and Mrs. Austin took possession of their
new home. They were humble, unpretend.
ing people, but they were Christians, and
they had learned to believe il their duty to
initiate their Mister They we're not among
those whose sympathies were inactive, when
excited, by miseres which pass before their
eyes.
They had entered upon a sphere which
was to give trial to their patience, and an
opportunity for the exercise of their Chris
tian benevolence. AS soon as they were
settled, Mrs Austin called upon the Wat
sons. 1t was not without feeling OF loath-
ing that she entered that rninous hoveI {;
but she was resolved to get acquainted with
them, and if possible do them good. The
children-poor ,litte, dirty half naked things
--ran away to hide, " hen she entered aud
Mrs Watson, with look of surprise, arose
and offered her a broken chair
We have Just come into the place, said
she and as ! am anxious TO become ac-
uuainted with my neighJors, ! have taken
the liberty to call.
am much obliged. said Mrs. Watson,
People seldom take SO much notice Of us.
Mrs. Austin inquired kindly respecting
her health, and found that the poor woman
was far from being well. The children be.
gan 10 creep around. She displayed q
handful of apples which she took from her
pocket and ihey soon gathered around her.
She gave each an apple, aud patted their
curly heads, with kind and gentle words
The little creatures looked wild at her, as if
unable 10 comprehend the cause Of such un
wOnred kindness.
When the kind lady arose TO depart, she
asked Mrs. Watson TO let Mary-a child
of seven years-accompany her home, that
she might send her some medicines.
The child sprang forward with cry Of
pleasure, and, placing her hand in that Of
Mrs Aasin, looked up affrctionately in
her face then starting back, she looked at
her mother, who, she remembered, had not
given her consent Mis-. w. told Mary she
might 60 but promised her whipping if
she was not back soon.
Mrs. Austin took the child and departed
1t was a cold day in Novcmber-and the
wind 0uttered poor Mary's frock, and blew
the tangled curlS from her naked brow
Mrs Austin tied her handkerchief over the
chld'S head. Are you feet cold she ask
ed, as she looked down, and saw that she
had no shoes on
Yes ma'am, said Mary but mother says
we shall get no shoes this winter, for father
spends all he can get for drink
They reached home, and Mrs. A. found
she had pair of shoes and shawl for lit
tie Mary and some medicine for her mother
The child had never been so happy be-
fore as she was when she iripped home that
night She was not only delighted with
the presents she had received, but the kind
words and kind looks of her friend had fall
en- like sunshine upon her heart.
When Mr. Austin came home she inform
ed him of the call she had made.
The situation of the family is truly de.
plorable, she added is there nothing that
we can do for them
Indeed, do not know, replied her hus-
band.
If there is doubt not you will think Of
lit.
Watson is terribly besotted met him
tonight recling home, probably to abuse
his family and yet they say, when he is
sober, he is o kind.hearted, peaceaJle
man.
lie has q good trade and if he could
be prevailed upon to work without drinking
he could support his family well His poor
wife seems indolcnt and hopeless bur, il
she could see the prospects of better days,
she would no doubt do better.
To be sure, replied Mr.. Austin, thonght.
fully, he had good trade, and was once
considered the best workman in town; but
he has become so incorporate, tfat none
will employ him. don't know what sup
ports his family they must often be in
wretched deStitution."
Wretched destitution indeed ! exclaimed
his wife And now l thing how we may
help them You know we want some one
to work on the house Immediately. En-
ploy him-and perhaps by keeping him out
of temptation, and giving proper encour
; agement, we mayinduce him to break of
, his brutal habits"
That is a good idea, Jane, and l will see
him to morrow, and try to engage him.
The next morning the Watsons were moi
little surprised to see Mr., Austin enter
their dwelling His heart grew sick al
The prospect of sin and misery around him
The shivering children were eagerly press
ing round table on which there was nc
food except few potatoes, The father was
standing at a shelf, preparing his morning
potatious and Mrs. w. with uncombeC
hair and dirty face, stood in menacing at
titude upbraiding him in loud and angry
words.
Good morning, Mr.. Watson, said lie.
/, Good morning, sir, replied the poor man
with hiecough. don't feel well thi
, morning, and was about to take SOM
bitterS.
. Don't take tbem-they will do you NJ
y good-and l want TO talk with you abou
v business
c Watson looked at him with surprise, anC
? then pushing the glass from him, seated
himself to hear what he had to say.
l wish to hire you to work on my house
i. continued Mr. A. We have several uniin
0 ishcd rooms, and if you will come, iwl
S pay you at Mr.. Frosts store. where you
eau obtain groceries and clothes for you
, family.