Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-07-10

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head. a moment he remained so, and then his
hands dropped by his side, and he started home
ward.
When he reached his home he found his wife
and children in tears but he affected to notice
ii not. He drew a shilling from his pocket-it
was his last---and handing it 20 his wife, he
asked her if she would send and get him some
porridge. The wife was startled by the 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 nourishng,
and Charles ae it all. lie went to bed early,
and early on the following morning he was up.
lie asked his wife if she had milk and -four
enough to make him another bowl of porridge.
"Yes, Charles" she said, I'VE have not
touched it,"
"Then if you arc 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 dressed
and would have shaved had mis- hand been
steady enough. He left his home and went at
once to man who had just commenced to frame
a house
"Mr. Manly" he said, addressing the gentle
man alluded to, 81 have drank the last drop of
alcoholic beverage that ever passes my lips
Ask me no more questions, but believe me now
while YOU see me true VIII you give work P"
"Charles Nelson, are you in carnestP" asked
Manly in surprise
$50 much so, sir, that were death to stand
upon my right hand, and yondcr bar-room up
on my left, would go with the grim messenger
first"
"Ihen 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 can trust me. Come
into my office an you shall see the plan have
drawn"
We will not tell you how the stout man
wept, nor how his noble friend shed 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.. Manly introduced him
as their master. That day he worked but little,
for he was not strong yet, but he arranged the
timber, and gave directions for framing. At
night he asked his employer if he dared trust
him with dollar.
"Why, you've earned three" returned Man
ly.
"And will you pay me three dollars a day"
"lf you are as faithful as you have been to-
day, yes, for you will save me money at that"
The poor man could not speak his thanks in
words, but his looks spoke for him, and Manly
understood them. He received his three dol
lars, and on his way home he stopped and
bought first basket, then three loaves of
bread, pound OF butter, some tea, sugar. and
piece OF beefsteak, and he had Just one dol
lar and seventy-fvc cents left. With this load
he went home. 1t was some time before he
could compose himself to enter the house, but
at length he went il and set the basket upon
the table.
Come, Mary" he said, 81 have brought
something home for supper. Here Nelly, YOU
take the pail and run over to Mr.. Browns and
get couple quarts of milk"
lie handed tie child a shilling as he spoke,
and in half bewildered state she took the
money and hurried away.
The wife started when she raised the cover of
the basket but she dared not speak. She
moved about like one ia DREAM and ever and
anon she would cast furtive glance at her
husband. He had not been drinkng-she
knew it-and yet he had money enough to buy
rum with if he had wanted it. What could it
meanP Had her prayers been answered? o,
how fervently she prayed then.
Soon Nelly returned with the milk, and Mrs.
Nelson set the table out. After supper Charles
arose and said to his wife
81 must go up to Mr.. Manly's Office to help
to arrange some plans for his new house, but
will be at home early"
a pang saot through the wife's heart as she
saw her husband turn away, but still sic was
far happier than she had beer before for long
while. There was something in his manner
that assured her, and gave her hope.
Just as the clock struck nine, the well-known
football was heard, strong and steady. The
door opened, and Charles entered. His wife
cast a quick, keen glance into his face, and she
almost uttered a cry of joy when she saw how
he was chaaged for the better. He had been
to the BARRIERS and to the hatter's. Yet nothing
was said upon the all important subject
Charles wished to retire early, and his wife went
with him. In the morning the husband arose
first and built the fire. Mary had not slept till
long after midnight, having been kept awake by
the tumultuous emotions that had started up in
her BOSOM and hence she awoke not early
as usual. But she came out just as as the tea
kettle and potatoes began to boil, and breakfast
was soon ready.
After the meal was eaten, Charles arose and
and put on his hat, and then turning to his wife
he asked
"What do you do day ?"
81 must wash for Mrs. Bixby."
"Are you willing to obey me once more ?"
"-yes."
"Then work for me to-day Send Nelly over
to tell Mrs. BiXby that you are not well unough
to wash, for you are not Here is dollar, and
you must do with it as you please. Buy some
thing that will keep you busy for yourself or
children"
Mr.. Nelson turned towards the door, and his
hand was upon the latch. He hesitated and
turned back. He did not speak, but he open
ed his arms, and his wife sank upon his bosom.
He kissed her and then having gently placed
her in a seat he left the house. When he went
to his work that morning he felt well, and very
happy. Mr. Manly was by to cheer him. and
this he did by talking and acting as though
Charles had never been unfortunate at ALL
1t was saturday evening, and Nelson had been
almost week without rum. He had earned
fifteen dollars, ten of which he had now in his
pocket.
"Mary" he said, after the supper-table had
been cleared away, here are ten dollars for you
and | want YOU to expend it in clothing for
yourself and children. | have earned fifteen
dollars during the Inst five days. / am to build
Squire Mnnlys great house, and he pays me
three dollars day. A good job isn't it 9'
Mary looked up, and her i IFS moved, but she
couldn't speak word. She struggled few
moments, and then burst into tears. Her hus-
band took her by the arm and drew her upon
his lap, and then pressed her to his bosom.
MARY" he whispered, while the tears ran
down his own cheeks, "you are not deceived.
am Charley Nelson once more, and will be
while live Not by any act of mine shall an
other cloud cross your brow."And then he told
of the words he had heard on the previous
NJ 4. L. kahs IL