Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-04-12
General iHtsrrllanu.
AN UNMEANT REBUKE.
A LIFE LESSON.

W NolAplele the sum OF ms udpplutHHs AAt
had one Of the best of wives, aud his children
intelligent and comcy lie was carpenter
by trade, and no man could command better
wages. or be more sure Of work lfany man
attempted to build house, Charles Nelson
must boss the job and for miles around poo-
pie sought him to work for them. But a
change had come over his life. A demon had
met him on his way, and he had turned back
with the evil spirit A new and experienced
carpenter had been sent for by those who
would no longer depend upon Nelson, and he
had settled in the village and now took Nell
sons place.
On a back street. where the great trees
threw their branches over the way, stood q
small cottage. which had once been the pride
of its inmates. Before it stretched wide
garden. but tall, rank grass grew up among
the choking flowers, and the paling Of the
fence was broken in many places. The house
itself had once been white, but 10 was now
dingy and dark Bright green blinds had
once adorned tho windows, but now they had
been taken off and sold. And the windows
themselves bespoke poverty and neglect for
in many places the glass was gone and shin
giles rags and old hats had taken its place
A single look at the house and It's accompani-
mcnts told the story. 1t was the drunKard's
home
WANT, , d., ,...,, ,.,, =; .l ,.rt ,...
oelic, and TIL ~, 80 s.;ll to,,is,,,, 80
look upon. theAloom was gone from her check
and the brightness had faded from her eyes
Poor Mary Nelson Once she had been the
happicst among the happy. but now none
could be more miserable Near her sat two
children. both girls, and both beautiful in
form and feature; but their garbs were all
matched and worn and their foot wore sbos-
less The eldest was thirteen wears of ace.
and the other two voars vounoor The moth
er was hearing them recite erammer lesson.
for She had resolved that her children should
not grow nm in ignorance. They could not
attend the common school. for tbouphtless
children sneered at them. and made them the
subject of snort and ridieule: but in this re-
snect thew did not suffer for their nother was
well educated and she dovotcd such time as
she conlJ snare 10 tbeir Instruction
For moro tban two years. MARI Nelson had
earned an the money tbat had been used in
that house people hired her to wash iron
and sew for them. and besides the money paid.
they nave her many articles Of food and cloth .
ing. So she lived ON. and the only lows that
dwet with her now were teaching her chill
dren. and prayin, 10 God.
sumner time eame. and Charles Nelson came
reeling home. lie bad worked the day before
at helping move building. and thus had
carnej Nancy cnougb 10 find him in rum for
several days. As he stumbled into the house
the children croucbed close TO their mother.
and even she shrank away. for sometimes her
husband was uglv when thus intoxicated.
on how that man had cbanoed within two
wears Once there was not a finer looking
man in town In frame he had been tall
stout compact and perfectly formed. while his
face bore the vorv beam iIc1l Of manly beauty.
His noble farm was nov bent his limbs /
sbrunken and tremulous. and his face all bloat-
ed and disfoured He was not the man who
had once been the fond husband and dotino
father. The loving wife had prayed and went
ord ir,,J,rod b,,+ ou 20 No ,,,rroso. tho ms.
hand was bonn1 IN bis drinkin, comnanions
Of tho bor.roon, and he would not breat tho
bo,ds
M, oyo,i,,, Mary No,son oto No sun,or
for MI t,e food sho had in the house was NOT
more ,b,n cnss,h for her husband and chill |
dren bot whom her bueband had ZONE she
went ONT and picked few berries. and thus
kept bor ,itol cnergv alive That NIGHT the
No. y.,,,o, ,rovod lone, and oarncstlv and
bor l;t,lc oncs proved with her
m tho foIlo,y;n,, ,oornine, C,harlos Nolsor
sought me bar-room as soon as he arose. but
bo vas sicL and r,irt and 1ionor would NOT
reyivo him for II would NOT remain ON his
stomach To- NAB dronL vcrv doorly tbe
night beforo. and he felt miserable. Atlengtb.
bovcycr no MANAGED to keen down few
rlossos Not sIipg INIT tho close otmosnhcrc
of Tho bar-room seemed to stiee him and he
went out
The moor man had sense enoupb TO know
that if he could sleep he should feel better.
and he had lust feeling enough to wish to
keen away from home. so he wandered off
towards n wood not far from the VILLAGE and
s.rt do,.n hy tbo siGe of a stone ysll and
was soon hurled in a nrofound spmberw
when he ayokr the sun was shining down
no, rror M, and r,is;n,, himseIfto q sit,ina
posture he gazed about him. He knew that
Il was afternoon for the sun was turning tow
ards the west. He was inst upon the point
of rising when his motion was arrested by
the sound of voices near at hand. lie look
ed tbropph a obink in the wall. and inst unon
the other side he saw his two children picking
berries while little further off we're two
more girls. the children of the earnenter VINO
bad latol,, ,,o,od ;,t,, ,Lo ,;tIo.,o