The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-01-26


he went home. 1t was some time befor,
, he could compose himself to enter tht
J house, but at length he went in, and Sc
the basket upon the table.
" Come, Mary" he said, "I have
: brought something home for supper
Here, Nelly, you take the pail and run
over to Mr.. Browns and get two quarts
, of milk"
He handed the child shilling as he
spoke, and in half bewildered 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 annon she would cast
furtive glance at her husband He had
not been drinking-she knew it-and yet
he had money enough to BUY rum if he
wanted it. What could it mean ? Had
her prayers been answed? Oh, how fer
vently she prayed then.
Soon Nelly returned with the milk,
and Mrs. Nelson sat the table out. Af-
ter supper Charles arose and said to his
wife
II must go to Mr. Manly's Office to help
him arrange some plans for his new house
but will be at home 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
steady. The door opened, and Charles
entered. His wife cast quick, keen
glance into his face, and she almost utter
ed cry ofjoy when she saw how he was
changed for the better. He had been to
the barber's and hatter's Yet nothing
was said on the all important subject
Charles wished to retire early, and his
wife went with him. In the morning the
husband arose first and built the fire.
Mary had not slept long after midnight,
having been kept awake by the tumultu-
Gus emotions that had started up in her
bosom, and she awoke not so early as usu-
al. But she came out just as the tea-ket-
tie aud potatoes began to boil, and break
fast was soon ready.
After the meal was eaten, Charles arose,
put on his hat, and then turning to his
wife, he said {:
"What do you do today"
II must wash for Mrs. Bixby."
care you willing to obey me once
more ?"
"Oh, yes"
Then work for me to-day. Send word
over to Mrs. Bixby that you are not well
enough to wash, for you are not. Here
is dollar, and you do with it as you
please. Buy something that will keep
you busy for yourself and children.
Mr.. Nelson turned towards the door,
and his hand was upon the latch. He
hesitated, and turned back. He did not
speak, but he opened his arms, and his
wife sank upon his bosom. He kissed
her, and then gently placed her in seat
aud left the house. When he went to his
work that morning, he felt very we'll and
happy Mr. Manly was by to cheer him,
and this he did by talking and acting as
though Charles had never been unfortun-
ate at all.
1t was Saturday evening, and Nelson
had been almost a week without rum
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 dol
lars for you, and | want you to expend it
in clothing for yourself and Children. |
have earned fifteen dollars during the last
five days | am to build Squire Manly's
grea: house, and he pays me three dollars
day. A good job, isn't it 7"
Mary looked up, her lips moved, but
she could not speak word. She strug-
gled few moments and then burst into
tears Her husband took her by the arm
and drew her upon his lap, and then press
ed her to his bosom.
"Mary," he whispered, while the tears
ran down his checks, 'you are not deceiv-
ed. am Charley 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 the words he had
heard the previous Monday, while he lay
behind the wall.
"Never 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 10 stand
point from which all the tempests of earth
cannot move it. Your prayers are an
swered, my wife,"
Time passed on, and the cottage assum-
cd it's garb of pure white, and its whole
windows aud green blinds. The roses in
the garden smiled, aud in every way did
the improvement work. Once again was
Mary Nelson among the happiest of the
happy, and her children chose their own
associates now.
An East Tennessee woman, Union
refugee and widow, aged twentyone
~ IL IL oh,