The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-07-18
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,

upon my lett, would 80 with the grim ihes-
senger first
Then here is my house lying abont US In
rough timber and boards. place 1t all in
your hands, and shall look to you to dnishit.
While can trust you, you can trust me-
Como into my Office and you shall SEQ the
plan have drawn
We will not tell you how tho stout man
wept, nor how his noble friend shed tears to
500 him thus but Charles Nelson took the
plan, and having studied it for while, he
went out where the men were at work get
ting the timber together, and Mr.. Manly in.
troduced him as their master. That day he
worked but little, for ho was not strong yet,
but he arranged the timber, and gave direc-
tions for framing. At night he asked his
employer if he dared trust him with dol
lar.
why, you have earned three, returned
Manly.
'And will you pay mo three dollars
dayT
IF you are as faithful as you have been
to-day, 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 dollars, and on his way home stopped
and bought first basket, then three loavcs
OF bread, pound Of butter, some tea, sugar,
and piece of bcefsteak, and he had just
one dollar and seventy.fve cents left. With
this load he went home. Ii was some time
before he could compose himself to enter the
house, but at length he went in and set the
basket upon the table.
'Comc, Mary hc said. Il have brought
something home for supper. Here, Nelly
you take the pail andrun over to Mr.. Browns
and get couple quarts Of milk
lie handed the child shilling as he spoke,
and in half bewildcrcd 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 in a dream, and ever
and anon she would cast furtive glance at
her husband, lie had not been drinking
she hnew it-and yet he had money enough
to buy rum with il he had wantedit. What
could it mean2 Had her prayers been an.
swercdi o, how fsrvently 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:
Il must 60 up to Mr.. Manlys Office to help
him arrange some plans for new house, but
will bo at home early.
A pang shot through the wife's hear. as
she saw her husband turn away, but still she
was far happier than she had been before for
a long while. There was something in his
manner that assured her and gave her hope.
Just Us the clock struck nine, the we'll
known football was heard, strong and steady.
The door opened, and Charles entered. His
wife cast quick, keen glance into his face,
and she almost uttered q cry Of joy when she
saw how changed he was for the better. lie
had been to the barbsr's and to the hattcr's.
Yet nothing was said upon the all.important
subject. lie wished to retire early. and his
wife went with him. In the morning the hus-
band arose first and built the FIRE. Mary had
not slept till long after midnight, having
been kept awake by tho tumultuous emotions
that had started up in her bosom, and hence
she awoke not 50 early as usual. But she
came out just rs the tea.kettle and potatoes
began to boil, and breakfast was soon ready.
After the meal was eaten, Charles arose
and put on his hat, and then turning to his
wife he asked
what do you do to.day9'
Il must wash for Mrs. Bixby.'
Are you willing to obey me once more'
'0-ycs.'
Then work for me to-day, Send Nell
over to tell Mrs. Bixby that you are not we'll
enough to wash, for you arc not. Here is a
dollar, and you must do with it as you please.
Buy something that will keep you busy for
yourself or children
Mr.. Nelson turned towards the door, and
his hand was upon the latch. Ho hcsitated
and turned back. lie did not speak, but he
opened his arms, and hls wife sank upon his
bosom. lie kissed her, and then having
gently placed her in seat he left the house,
When he went to his work that morning he
felt we'll. 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 tall.
1t was Saturday evening, and Nelson had
been almost week without rum. lie had
earned fifteen dollars, ten Of which he now
had in his pocket.
"Mary," he said, after the supper table
had been cleared away, "here are ten dollars
for you, and want you to expcnd it in
clothing for yourself and children. ! have
earned fifteen dollars during the last Eve days.
am to build Squire Manly's great house,
and he pays mo three dollarsa day. A good
job isn't it"
Mary looked up, and her lips moved, but
she couldn't speak word. She struggled a
few moments and then burst into tears :
Her husband took her by the arm and drew
h.r ;,to bis Ian. and then pressed her 10 his