North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-06-01

But the berries are so thick here" re-
monstrated the other.
| Never mnd-we'll come out some time
when these little 5aggar, drunkard's children
are not here"
So the two favored ones went away hand
in hand aud Nelly and Nancy Nelson sat
down upon the grass and cried.
"Don't cry, Nancy" said the eldest, throw
ing her arms around her sisters neck.
But you are crying, Nelly"
"Oa, can't help it," sobbed the stricken
| one.
"Why do they blame us2" murmured Nan
cy: gazing up into her sisters face. so we
are. not to blame. We are good, and kind
and loving, and we never hurt anybody. 0
wish somebody would love me, should be
SO happy"
land we are loved, Nancy. Only think
of our noble mother.-Who could love US as
/ she ?''
81 know-I know, Nelly; but that isn't all
Why don't papa love us just as he used to do?
Don't you remember how he useh to kiss US,
/ and make US So happy? o, how l wish he
could be SO good to US once more, He is
| not
"-sh, sissy. don't say anything more
He may be good to US again if he knew how
we loved him, know he would. And then
| believe God is good, and surely he will help
us sometimes, for mother prays to him every
day"
"Yes," answered Nancy. al know she
does ; and God must be our Father some
time"
'He is our father now, sissy"
:" know it, and be must be all we shall
have by and by, for don't you remember that
mother told US that she might leave us one
Of these days. She said cold dagger was
upon her heart, and-and-"
Ssh DON'T Nancy, you'll"
The words were checked up with sobs and
tears and the sisters wept long together. At
length they arose and went away, for they
saw moro children coming.
As soon as the little ones were out of sight
Charles Nelson started to his feet. His
hands wele cinched, his eyes were fixed up
on warrant point with an eager gaz".
My God ~ he gasped, what william
am Look at me how What a state am
self to it And they love men yet, and pray
| for me!'
He said no more, but for few moment s
he stood WI b his hands still clenched, and
lis eyes fixed.
At length his gaze was turned upward and
| his casped hands were raised above his head
| A mt ment he remained so. and then his
hands dropped by his side, and he started
homeward
When he reached his home he found his
wife and children in tears, but he affected to
notice it not. He drew a shilling from his
p0cket-it was his last and handing to his
wife, he asked her if she would send and gel
him some porridgc. The wife was startled
by the tone in which this was spoken, for il
sounded as in days gone by.
The porridge was made nice and nourish-
| ing, and Charles ate it all. He went to bed
early, and early on the following day be was
| up. He asked his wife if she had milk and
-four enough to make him another bowl Of
porridge.
"Yes, Charles" she said, Eve have not
touched it,"
''Then if you are willing, l should like
some Aore."
The wife moved quickly about the work,
and ere long the food was prepared. The
and dressed, and would have shaved had his
hand been steady enough. He left the house
and went at once to a man who had just com
menced TO frame house.
"Mr. ManIey," he said, addressing the man
| alluded to, III have drank the last drop of AL
coholic beverage that ever passes my lips
Ask no more questions, bat believe me now
while you see me true. Will yor give me
work 2"
"Charles Nelson, are you in earnest 2
asked Manly in surprise.
$50 much so, sir, that were death 10 Nano
upon my right hand, and yonder bar-room on
my left would 60 with the grim messenger
first"
"Then here's 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 and you shall see the
an Ihave d rawn."
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 awhile, he
went out where the men were at work get
ting the timber together, and MIR. Manly
introduced him as their master. 1hat gay