The weekly Ottumwa courier., 1862-10-18
The Unmeant Rebuke.
A LIFE LESSON.
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.

Charles Nelson had reached his thirty
fifth year, and at that age he found himself
going down hill. He had once been one Of
the happiest Of m,rtals, and no blessing
was wanting tn complete the sum ofhis hap
piness. He had one Of tho best of wives,
and his children were intelligent and comely.
He was carpenter by trade, and no man
could command better wages, or be more
sure Of work. If any mau attempted to
build house, Charles Nelson must boss the
job, and for miles around, people sought him
to work for them. But change had come
over his life A demon had met him on his
way, and he had turned back with the evil
spirit. 4 new and experienced carpenter
had been sent for by those who could no
longer depend upon Nelson, and he had
settled in the village, and now took Nelson's
place.
On back street, where the great trees
threw their green branches over the way,
stood small cottage which had once been
the pride ofits inmates. Before it, stretched
wide garden, but tall rank grass grew up
among the choaking flowers, and the FAILING
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
now they had been taken off and sold. And
the windows Themselves bespoke poverty
ard neglect, for in many places the glass
was gone, and shingles, rags and old hats
bad taken its place. single Look at the
house and its accomplishments told the sto-
ry. 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 cheek, and the brightness had faded
from her eyes. Poor Mary Nelson Once
she had been the happ:est amepg the hap
py, 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 patched and worn, and
their feet were shoeless. The eldest was
thirteen years of age, and the other two
years younger. The mother was hearing
them recite grammar lesson, for she had
resolved that her children should never
grow up in. ignorance. They could not at
e tend the common school, for thoughtless
children sneered at them and made them
the subject Of sport and ridicule but in
this respect they did not suffer, for their
mother was well educated, and she devoted
such time as she could spare, to their in
seruction. -
For more than two years. Mary Nelson
had earned all the money that had been
used in that house. People hired her to
wash, iron aud sew for them, and besides
the money paid, they gave her many articles
of food and clothing. So she lived on, and
the only joys that dwelt with her now were
teaching her children and praying to God.
Supper time came, and Charles Nelson
came reeling home. He had worked the
day before at helping move a building, and
thus had earned money enough to find him.
self in rum for several days. As he STUN
bled into the house the children crouched
close to their mother, and even she shrank
away, for sometimes her husband was ugly
when thus intoxicated
o, how that man had changed within two
years Once there was not finer looking
man in that town. In frame he had been
tall, stout. compact and perfectly formed,
while his face bore the very beau-ideal ol
manly beauty. But all was changed now.