The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-10-18
"But the berries are thick here" remonstra-

ted the other.
Never mind-we'll come out some time
when those little ragged drunkard's girls are
not here"
!. So the two favored ones went away hand in
hand and Nelly and Nancy Wilson sa. down
upon the grass and cried.
Don't cry, Nancy said the eldest, throw
: ing her arms around her sisters neck.
"But you are crying, Nelly"
tOh, can't help it, sobbed the stricken
one.
; "Why do they blame us?" murmured Nan
}, CIV, gazing up into her sisters face. 20, we
are not to blame. We are good and kind and
loving, and we never hurt anybody. Q, l
wish somebody would love us-I should be
SO happy"
'.But we are loved. Nancy. Only think Of
our noble mother Who could love US as she
does9''
Il know know, Nelly; but that aren't
i all. Why don't papa love us as he used to
! doe" Don't you remember he used to kiss
US and make us so happy? o, how l wish
! he could be SO good TO US once more. He Is
not"
/ "-sh. sissy! don't say anything more
He may be good to us again. If he knew
how we loved him, know he would And
then believe God is good, and surely he will
/
every day"
yes" answered Nancy, 81 know she
does, and God must be our father sometime"
"He is our father now sissy
81 know it, but be must be all that we shall
have, by and by, for don't you remember that
mother told that she might leave us one of
these days? She said cold finger was upon
her heart, and
"-sh. Don't don't Nancy; you'll
The words were choked up with sobs and
tears, and the sisters wept long together. At
length they arose and went away, for they
saw more children coming.
AS soon as the little ones were out of sight,
Charles Nelson started to his feet. His hands
were clenched, and his eyes were fixed upon
a vacant point with eager gaze.
"My Godl' he gasped, "what villain |
am! Look at me now! What state | am
in, and what have sacrificed to bring myself
to it! And they love me vet, and pray for me!''
He said no more, but for some moments he
stood with his hands still clenched, and eyes
fixed. At length his gaze turned up
ward, and his clasped hands were raised above
his head. A moment he remained so, and
then his hands dropped by his side, and nc
started homeward
When he reached his home, he found hi,
wife and children in tears, but he affected not
TO notice it H. ara.- Ah;li-9 f~~' t1is
pocket vas his last-and handing il TO his
wife, he asked her if she would send and get
some milk and -four, and make him some por
ridge
The wife was startled by the strange tone
in which this was spoken, for it sounded Just
as that voice had sounded in days gone by.
The porridge was nice and nourishing. and
Charles ats it all He went to bed early, and
early on the following morning he was up
He asked his wife if she had milk and flour
enough to make him another bowl of the por-
ridge.
.'Yes. Charles" she said, 1--WE have not
touched it.
Then if you are willing. should ike
some more
The wife moved quickly about the work,
and ere loug the food was prepared. The
husband ate it and felt better He washed and
dressed, and would have shaved had his hand
been steady enough. He left his home and
went at once TO a man who had just commen-
ced to frame house.
s.Mr Manly" he said, addressing the gen
t,eman alluded TO, Il have drank the last drop
Of alcoholic beverage that ever passes my lips
Ask me more questions, but believe me now
while you see me true. VIII you give me
work.
"Charles Nelson, are you in earnest9" ask
ed Manly. i'll surprise.
80 much So sir, that were death to stand
upon my right hand, and yonder bar-room
upon my left, l would so with the grim mes
senger first
Then here is nv house living about in the
rough timber and boards | place it all in
your hands. and shall look TO YOU to finish it,
While | can trust you. you may trust me-
Come into my Office. and you shall see the
plan I have drawn -
We will not tell how the stout man wept
nor how his noble friend she'd tears 10 see him
thus: but Charles Nelson took the plan. and
having studied it for awhile; he went out
where the men were at work getting the tim
Der together, and Mr.. Manly introduced him
as their master That day he worked but liz
tie. for he was not strong yet but he arranged
the timber. and gave directions fol- framing.
At night he asked his employer if he dared
trust him with one dollar.
why, YOU have earned three" returned
Mr. Manly
And win you pay me three dollars
days.
If you are as faithful as YOU have been to
dav. for you viii save me money at that
The poor man could not spe ak his thanks
in words, but his looks spoke for him. and
Manly understood them. He received his
three dollars. and on his way home he stopped
and bought first a basket, then three loaves Of
bread pound of butter, some tea, sugar and
beef-steak and he had just one dollar and
seventy five cents left. With this load he
went home 1t some time before he
could compose himself to enter the house; but
st length he went in and set the basket on the
table
"Come, Mary" he said. Il have brought
something home for supper Here. Nelly.
You take the pail, and run over 70 NJ. Browns
and get couple quarts of milk
He handed the child a shilling a. he smoke