, 1863-04-18


of rising, when his motion was arrested by tn,
sound of voices near at hand. He looked through
chinck in the wall, and just upon the other sidt
he saw his two children picki ing berries, while
little further off were two girls, the children
of the carpenter who lately moved into the vii
lage. t.
"Come, Katy" said one Of these latter girls tc
her companion, "let's go away from here, because
if anybody should see us with those girls, they'd
think we'd play with them"
strated the other. na
"Never mind-we'l come out some time when
those ragged drunkard's girls are not here"
So the two favored ones went away, hand in
hand, and Nellie and Nancy Nelson sat.down in
the grass and cried.
"Dont cry, Nancy" said fbe elder, putting her
arms around her sisters neck
"But you are crying, Nellie
20, can't help it, sobbed the stricken girl.
"Why Go they blame US, said Nancy, looking
up into her sisters face. 30, we are not to
blame. We are good and kind, and never hurt
anybody. o, wish somebody would love US,
should be SO happy"
"Are we not loved Nancyp Only think of our
good mother. Who could love us as she does p"
81 know know, Nellie; but that amt all.
Why don't papa love us as he used to do Don't
you remember when he used to kiss us, and make
us so happyP 0, now wish he could be so good
10 us once more. He is not -"
Ssh, sissy don't say any more He may
be good to us again if he knew how we loved
him, am sure he would. And then l believe
God is good, and surely he will help us sometime,
for mother prays to him every day."
eyes, answered Nancy, 81 know she does;
and God must be our Father sometime"
"I1e is our Father, now, sissy"
81 know it, but He must be all we shall have
bye-and-bye for don't you remember that mama
told us she might leave us one of these days
She said cold finger was upon her heart, and
and"
Ssh Don't don't, Nancy you'll" !
The words were choked up with sObs and tears,
and the sisters wept long together-At length
they arose and went away, for they saw more
children coming.
AS soon as the little ones were out of sight,
Charles Nelson started to his feet-His hands
were clenched, and his eyes were fixed upon
vacant point with an eager gaze.
"My God y he gasped. "What villain 1 am /!
Look at me now What state | am in, and |
what have I sacrificed to bring myselfto it And
they love me yet, and pray for me-"
He said no more, but for few moments he
stood with his hands still ctnched, and his eyes
and his casped hands dropped hsFggifdas 9aaR%anB
started homeward
When he reached his home he found his wife
and children in tears, but affected to notice it not.
He drew shilling from his pocket-t was his
handing it to his wife, be asked her if
she would send and get some milk and -four, and
make him some porridge. The wife startled
BY the tone in which this was spoken, for it
sounded as that voice had sounded in days gone
BY.
The porridge was made nice and nourishing,
and Charles ate it all. He went to bed early,
and early on the following day he was up. He
asked his wife if she had milk and flour enough
20 make him another bowl of porridge.
'Yes, Charles she said, eve have not touched
t."
"Then, if you are willing, should like some
more"
The wife moved quickly about the work, and
ere long the food was prepared The husband
elt better He washed and dressed, and would
nave shaved had his hand been steady enough.
He left his home and went at once to man who
lad just commenced to frame house.
"Mr. Manly" he said, addressing the gentle
nan alluded to, 81 have drank my last drop of
alcoholic beverage that ever passes my lips. Ask
ne no questions, but believe me now while you
zee me true.-Will you give me work"
"Charles Nelson, are you in earnest P"-asked
Mr.. Manly in surprise.
$50 much so, sir, that were death to stand up
u my right hand, and yonder bar-room on my
eft, l would go with the grim messenger first"
"Then here is my house lying about us in rough
imber and boards. Iplace it all in your hands
md shall look to you to finish it. While 1 can
rust you, you can trust me- Come into my office
md you shall see the plans.'
We will not tell you how the stout man wept,
Tor how his noble friend shed tears to see him
hus but Charles Nelson took the plan, and hav-
ng studied it for awhile, he went out where the
men were at work getting tie timber together
md Mr.. Manly introduced him as their master.
That day he worked but little, for he was not
trong yet, but he arraoged the timber, and gave
directions for framing. At night he asked his
mployer if he dared trust him with dollar
"Why, you've earned three" returned Manly.
Sand will you pay me three dollars day ?"
aIf YOU alce as faithful as you have been to-day,
Or YOU will save me money at that"
The poor man could not speak his thanks in
yords, but his looks spoke for him, and Manly
Understood them. He received his three dollars,
nd on his way home stopped and bought first a
asket, then three loaves of bread, pound but
er, some tea, sugar, and piece ofbeefsteak, and
e had just one dollar and seventy-fve cents left.
With this load he went home. 1t was some time
efore he could compose himself TO entei the
ouse, but at length he went in and set the basket
pon the table.
"Come, Nary" he said, 81 have brought some-
hing home for supper. Here, Nelly, you take
he pail and run over to Mr.. Balls and get two
uarts of milk"
He handed the child shilling as he spoke
md in half bewildere1 state she took the money