The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-04-17

/ u'ICA w tOWoAa vSSe 1Ss ss~e - "
lage, AMI sunk down by the side ofa ston
wall, and was soon buried in profoun'
slumber. When he awoke the sun wa
shining down hot upon. him, and raising
himself to q sitting posture he gazcd abou
him. He knew that II was afternoon, fo
the sun was turning towards the west
lie was just upon tho point Of rising wher
his motion was arrested by the sound Of vol
ces near at hand. Ho looked through
chnk in Il wall. and just upon tho othe'
side he saw his two children picking berries
wh,le::a liti 10 further OF were two more girls
the children Of the carpenter who had lately
moved into the village.
! Come, Katy said one Of these latter
girls to hOr companiou, let's 60 away from
here, because If fanybody should sec US with
those girls they'd think we played with
them. Come
but the berries are thick here remon-
strated the other.
Never mind-well come out some time
when these little ragged drunkards girl
arc not here.
So the two favored ones went away hand
in hand, and Nelly and Nancy Nelson sat
down upon the grass and cried.
Don't cry, Nancy said the eldest
throwing her arms around her sisters neck
But you are crying, Nelly
20, 1 can't help it, sobbcd the stricken
one. ....
why do they blame us?' murmured
Nancy, gazing up into her sisters face. ",
we are not to blame. We aro good and
kind, and loving, and we never hurt any;
body. o, 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 o
she docs?'
Il know-I know, Nelly: but that aren''
all. Why don't papa love US as he used to
Don't you remember when he used to kiss
US and make us SO happy? o, how 1 wish
ho could bc so good to US oncc more. dc
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 bcl,vc God is good, and he surely will
help do sometime, for mother prays to him
every day.
YES answered Nancy, Il know she does
and God must be our father sometime
lie is our father now, sissy
Il know it; but he must be all We shall
have by and by, for don't you remember
that mother told us that a cold S.gcr wa,
laid upon her heart, and that Sho might
leave US one of these days, and-and-'
'-sh. Don't, don't, Nancy; you'll
The words were chokcd with sobs and
tears, and the sisters wcpt long together
At length hey arose and went away, fol
they saw, more children coming.
As soon us the little ones wcro out oi
sight, Charles Nelson started to his feet
His hands were clenched, and his eyes were
fixed upon vacant point with IN eager
saze.
Me God" he gaspcd, what a villain ]
am /! Look at me now what state / ON
IN, and what have sacrifcrd to bring my.
self to it! And they love me yet, and pray
for mel
He said no more, but for some moments
he stood with his hands still clenched, and
eyes fixed. At length his gaze was turned
upward, and his claspcd hands were raised
above his head. A moment he remained SO
and then his hands dropped by his side
and he started homeward.
When ho reached his home he found hi,
wife and children in tears, but no affected
not to notice it. He drew shilling from
his pocket-lt was his last-and handing |,
to his wife, he asked her if she would send
and get him some milk and flour, and make
him some milk and porridge. The wife wa
startled by the strange tone in which thil
was spoken, for it sounded just as tho voict
had sounded in days gone by.
The porridge was made nice and nourisl
ing, and Charles ate it all. lie went to bet
early, and early on the following morning
he was up. He asked his wife If she hat
milk and -four enough to make him another
bowl of porridsc.
'Yes, Charles, she said. we have mo-
touched it,
Then If you arc willing, should lik,
, some more
The wife moved quickly about the work
and ere long the food was prepared. Th
husband ate it, and felt better. Ho washe,
and dressed, and would have shaved had hi
hand been steady enough. He left his hom
and went ut once to man, who had jus
commenced to frame house.
Mr.. Manly he said, addressing the gen
tleman alluded to, Il have drank the last al
coholic beverage that ever passes my lips
Ask me no moro questions, but believe m
now while yop see me true. Will you Civ
me. work. .... 3.
Charles Nelson, are you in earnest p ask
cd Manly in surprise.
so much so, sir, that were death to stan
upon my right hand, and yondcr bar.roor
upon my left, I would 60 with tho grin
messenger first
Then there is my house lying abou. us i
rough timber and boards. I place 1t oil i
your hands, and shall look to you to fnis
it. While l can trust you, you may trui
me. Como into my Office and you shal
have the plan I have drawn
We will not tell how tho stout man wep'