San Andreas independent., 1857-10-10

monstrated the other.
"Never mind; we'll come some time
when those little ragged drunkard's girls
aren't here"
So the two favored ones went away,
hand in hand, and Nelly and Nancy sat
down upon the grass and cried.
'Don't cry, Nancy" said the eldest,
throwing her arms around her sister S
neck
"But you are crying, Nelly"
ooh, | can't help it," sobbed the
stricken one.
"Why do they blame us ?" murmurcd
Nancy, gazing up to her sisters face
ooh, we are not to blame We are good,
and kind, and loving, and we never hurt
anybody. Oh, ! wish somebody would
love us; | should be so happy"
"But we are loved, Nancy. Only think
OF our mother. Who could love us as
she does ?"
"l know, | know, Nelly; but that ism t
all. Why don't papa love us as he used
to do! Don't you remember when he
used to kiss us and make us happy? Oh,
how [ wish he could be so good to us once
more He is not
"Hush, sissy! don't say any 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 sure he
will help us some time
eyes" answered Nancy, "I know he
does; and God must be our father some
time"
" He is our father now, sissy"
II know it; but he must be all we shall
have by-and-by, for don't you remember
that mother told us she must leave us one
of these days? She said cold finger
was upon her heart, and"
"Hush, sissy, Don't, Nancy you'll"
The words were choked up with sobs
and tears, and the sisters wept long to-
gethcr. 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 clenchcd, and his eyes
were fixed upon vacant point with an
eager gaze.
/ "My God !" 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
yet, and pray for me y
lie said no more, but for some moments
he stood with his hands still clenchcd, and
eyes fixed. At length his gaze was turned,
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 he reached his home he found
his wife and children in tears, but he af-
fected not to noticeit. He drew shilling
from his pocket-it was his last-and
handing it to his wife, he asked her if
she would send and get some milk and
flour and make him some porridge. 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 made nice and nour-
ishing, and Charles ate 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 -four enough to make
him another bowl of porridgc.
eyes, Charles, she said eve have
not touched it,"
"Thcn, if you are willing, should like
some more"
The wife moved quickly about the work,
and ere long the food was prepared. The
husband ate it, and felt better. He washed
and would have shaved had his hand been
steady enough. He left his home, and
went at once to a man who had just COM
menced to frame house.
"Mr. Manley," said he, addressing the
gentleman alluded to, j" | have drank the
last glass of alcoholic beverage that ever
passes my lips. Ask me no more ques-
tions, but believe me now while you see
me true. Will you give me work.
"Charles Nelson, are you in earnest 2"
asked Manley in surprise.
$50 much so, sir, that were Death to
stand upon my right hand, and yonder
bar-room upon my left, would go with
the grim messenger first"
"Then here is my house lying about
us in 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 have the plan have drawn"
We will not tell you how that strong
man wept, and how his noble friend she'd
tears to see him thus; but Charles Nelson
took the plan, and having studied it for
a while, he went out where the men were
at work getting the timber together, and
Mr.. Manley introduced him as their mas
ler That day he worked but little. for
he was not strong yet, but he arranged
the timber, and gave directions for franz
ing. At night he asked his employer if
he dared trust him with dollar.
"Why, you have earned three" re-
turned Manley.
"And will you pay me three dollars a
day.?
eff you arc as faithful as you have been
to-day, for you will save me money at
that :"
Tho poor man could not sneak his