North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-06-01
"why, you hi ave earned three" returned

day, for you will save me money at that.
The poor man could not speak his thanks
in words, but his looks spoke them for him,
and Manly understood them. He reeelved d
his three dollars, and on his way home he
stopped and bought, first basket, then three
loayes of bread, pound of butter, some tea,
sugar poun of beef steak, and he had just
one dollar and seventy-fve cents left. With
this load he went home. 1t was some time
| before he could compose himself to enter the
| house. but az length be wenti in and set the
basket upon the table.
"Co1se, Mary" he said, "I have brought
us some hing for supper. Here, Nelly, you
take the pail and run over to Mr.. Browns
and get two quarts of milk"
The wife started when she raised the COW
er 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 nus band. He had not been drinking
she knew it--and yet he had money enough
to buy rum with if he wanted it. What
could 1t mean Had her prayers been ans
werd 0, how fervently she prayed then -
Som Nelly returned with the milk, and Mrs
Nelson set the table out After supper,
Charles rose and saId to his wife
81 must 60 to Mr.. Many's Office to help
him arrange some plans for his new house,
but will at hume early.;'
A pang shot through the wife's heart as
she saw him turn away, but still! she was far
happier than she had been before for long
time. There was something in his manner
that assured her, and gave her hope.
Just as the clock struck nine, the we'll
known football was heard, strong and heavy
The door was opened, and Charles entered
His wife cast quick, keen glance into his
face, and she almost Uttered cry of Joy
when she saw how he was changed for the
better. He had been at the barbers and
hatter's. Yet nothing was said upon the all
important subject. Charles wished to reti re
! early, and his wife went with him. In the
morning the husband arose first, ana built
the fire. Mary had not slept till long after
! ua'ihS pSGH hCpN q" dhO OJ Lu-
multuous emotions that had started upon her
bosom, and she awoke not so early as usual.
| But she came out just Is the tea kettle and
potatoes began to boil, and breakfast was
soon ready.
| After the meal was over, Charles arose put
on his hat, and then turning to his wife he
asked -
"What do you do to day ?''
II must wash for Mrs. Bixby."
care you willing to obey me once more ?''
| "O-yes."
"Then work for me to-day. Send Nelly
over to tell Mrs. Bxby that you are not well
enough to wash, for you are not. Here is a
dollar, and you must do with it as yol
please. Buy something that will keep you
busy for yourself and children"
Mr.. Nelson turned toward the door, and
his hand was upon the knob. He hesitated
and turned back. He did not speak, but he
opened his arms, and his wife fell upon his
BOSOM He kissed her aud then having gent.
ly placed her on seat, he left thei house
When he went to his work that morning, ne
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 un-
! fortunate at all.
1t was Saturday evening, and Nelson had
| been almost week without rum. He had
earned fifteen dollars, ten of which was in
his pocket.
"Mary," he said after the supper table had
you, and want you to expend it in clothing
for yourself and children. | have cared SIS
during the last five days. am to build Mr..
Manly's great house, and he pays me three
dollars day. A good JOB, isn't it ?"
Mary looked up, and her lips moved, bu,
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 pressed her to his bosom.
"Mary," be whispered, while the tears ran
down his cheeks, ''You are not deceived.
am Charles Nelson once more. and VIII 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.
"Never besore," he said, "did fslly realize
how low had fallen. but the scales dropped
from my eyes then as though somebody had
struck them off with slcdge. My soul star
ted up to standpoint from which all the
tempests of 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 VIM
dows aud green blinds. The roses in the
garden smiled, and in every way did the i'm