The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-04-17
Aisrrllanrnns.
A n u n m ant Reb u K o.
A LIFE LESSON.
ny sYLyANrs COBB, JR.

LIFE LESSON.
ny sYLyANrs COBB, JR.
Charles Nelson had reached his thirty
ffth year, and at that age he found himself
going down hill. He had once been one Of
the happiest Of mortals, and no blessing was
wanted to complete the sum Of his happi-
ness. He had one of the best Of wives, and
his children were intelligent and comely.-
He was a carpenter by trade, and no man
could command better wages, or be more
sure cf work. If any man attempted to
build house, Charles Nelson must boss the
job, and for miles around, people sought
him to work for them. But q change had
come over his life. A demon had met him
on his way, and ho had turned back with
the evil spirit. A new and experienced car.
pentcr had been sent for by those who would
no longer depend upon Nelson, and he had
settled in the village, and now took Mel
sons place.
On a bach street, where the great trees
threw their green branches over the way,
stood small cottage, which had once been
the pride Of its inmates. Before il stretch
ed a wide garden, but tall, rank grass grew
up among the choking flowers, and the PAL
ins of the fence was broken in many places.
the house itself had once been white, but it
was now dingy and dark. Bright green
blinds had once adorned the windows, but
they now had becn taken of and sold. And
the windows themselves bespoke poverty and
neglect, for in many places the glass was
gone, and shingles, rags and old hats had
taken its place. A sing.e look ut the house
and its accompaniments told the story. 1t
was the drunkard's home
Within sat woman yet in the early
years of life. and though she was still hand.
some to look upon, the bloom was gone
from her check, and brightness had faded
from her eyes Poor Mary Nelson Once
she had been the happiest among the happy,
but now none could be m6.s miserable -
Near her sat two children, both girls, and
both beautiful in form and feature but
their garbs were all patched and worn, and
their feet shoelcss. The eldest was thirteen
years Of age, and the other two years young
or. The mother was hearing them recite a
grammar lesson, for she had resolved that
her children should not grow up in isno
rance. They could not attend the common
school, for thoughtless children snecred at
them, and made them the subject Of sport
and ridicule; but in this respect they did
not suffer, for their mother was well educa-
ted, and she devoted such time as she could
spare. to their instruction.
For more than two years, Mary Nelson
had earned all the money that had been us
ed in that house. People hired her to wash,
iron and sew for them, and beside the mon.
oy paid, they gave her many articles of food
and clothing. So she lived on, and the only
| lDyS tult uWtlt Win ho" "SAS sS1eh'h6
her children and praying to God.
Supper time came, and Charles Nelson
came rceling home. Ho had worked the
day before at helping to move building.
and thus had earned money enough to find
him in rum for several days. AS he STUN
bled into the house the children crouchcd
close to their mother, and even she shrank
, away, for sometimes he, husband was ugly
when thus intoxicated.
o, how that man had changed with in
two years Once there was not finer
looking man in the town. In frame he had
been tall, stout, compact and perfectly FORM
cd, while his face bore the very beau ideal
of manly beauty. His noble form was now
bent, his limbs shrunken and tremulous,
and his face all bloated and disfSurcd. He
was not the man who had once been the
fond husband and doatins father. The low
ing wife had prayed and wcpt and implorcd,
but all to no purpose the husband was
bound to his drinking companions Of the
bar.room, and he would not break the
bonds.
That evening, Mary Nelson ate no sup
per. for all the food she had in the house,
there was not more than enough for her
husband and children; tut when her hus-
band had gone, she went out and picked q