, 1863-04-18

e had not been drinking, sic knew it-and yet |
! had money enough to buy rum with if he wantt
2 it. What could it mean Had her praye
been answered o, how ferventy she praye
] then.
Soon Nelly returned with the milk, and Mr.
Nelson sat the table out. After supper Charl,
arose and said to his wife:
; 81 must go up to Mr.. ManIy's Office to hel
him arrange some plans for his new building, bl
Twill be at home early" ...- ..,
A pang shot through the wife's heart as sh
saw her husband turn away but still she was fa
happier than she had been before for lon
while. There was something in his manner tha
assured her, and gave her hope.
Just as the clock struck nine the well know
football was heard, strong and steady. The doc
opened and Charles entered. His wife cast
quick, keen glance in his face, and she almost ut
tered cry of JOY when she saw how he wa
changed for the better. He had been to tn
BARRIERS and to the hater's. Yet nothing wa
said on the al-important subject Charles wished
to retire early, and his wife went with him. Ii
the morning the husband arose first and built th,
fire. Mary had not slept till long after mid
night, having been kept awake by the tumutuou
emotions that started up in her bosom, and hence
she awoke not SO early as usual. But she came
out just as the tea-kettle and potatoes began tc
boil, and breakfast was soon ready. -
After the meal was eaten, Charles arose. put
on his hat, and turning to his wife, he asked;
"What do you do to-dayP" B.
Il must wash for Mrs Bixby." r
"Are you willing to obey me once more P"
80, yes" ra-
"Then work for me to-day Send Nelly over
to tell Mrs. Bixby that you are not well enough
to wash, for you are not. Here is a dollar, and
you must do with it as you please. Buy some
thing that will keep you busy for yourself or the
children"
Mr.. Nelson turns towards the door, and his
hand was upon the latch. He hesitated, and
turned back. He did not speak, bat opened his
arms, and his wife sank upon bis 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
oeen unfortunate
1t was Saturday, and Charles Nelson had been
almost a week with Mr.. Manly 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 YOUR
self and the children. have earned fifteen dol
bqs lars during ring, the last five days. am to build
dollars day. A good job, isn't it.
Mary looked up and her lips moved, but she
could not speak word. She struggled few
moments, and then burst into tears. Her husband
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 l am
Charles Nelson once more, and will be while
live. Not by any act of mine shall another cloud
cross your brow" And then he told her of the
words he had heard on the previous Monday
while he lay behind the wall
"Neyer BEFORE" he said, "did fully realize
how low had fallen, but the scales dropped from
my eyes then as though some one had struck
them off with sledge. My soul started up to
stand point from which all the tempters of the
earth cannot move it. Your prayers are answered.
my wife"
Time passed on. and the cottage assumed its
garb of pure white, and its whole windows, and
green blinds. The roses in the garden smiled,
and in every way did the improvement work.
Once again was Mary Nelson among the happiest
of the happy, and her children choose their own
associates now.
PosT OFFICE REFORM BuL.-The editorial
correspondent of the Bulletin writes to that paper
as follows, from Washington, under date of Feb.
04th