The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-08-29

think we played with 'em. Come
But the berries are so thick here,
demonstrated the other
Never mind-well come out some
time when these little. ragged, DRINK.
ards girls are not here
So the two favored ones walked away
hand in hand, and Nelly and Nancy
Nelson sat down upon the ground and
cried.
Don't cry Nancy said the eldest
throwing her arms around her sisters
neck.
But you are crying, Nelly
oh, can't help it, sobbed the
stricken one.
Why do they blame us?' murmur-
ed Nancy, gazing up into her sisters
face. 'Oh, we are not to blame. We
are good. and kind, and loving, and
we never hurt anybody. Oh, 1 wish
somebody would love us 1 should be
so happy
And we are loved, Nancy. Only
think Of our noble mother. Who could
love us as she does p
Il know--I know, Nelly but .hat
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 happy Oh, how l wish he would be
so good to US once more. He is
not
'--sh, sissy don't say any more.
He may be good to us again if he
knew how we love him. I know he
will. And then I believe God is good,
and surely he will help ms sometime,
for mother prays to him every day.
Yes answered Nancy,'I know
she does ard God must be our father
sometime
He is our father now, sissy
i know it, and he must be all we
shall have by aud-by, for don't you re-
member that mother told us that he
might love us ore of these days ? She
said cold dagger was upon her heart
and-and-'
Ssh Don't Nancy, you'll
The words were choked dp with sobs
and tears, and the sisters wept long to.
gether. At length they arose and
went away for they saw more children
coming.
As soon as the little ores were out
Of sight. Charles Nelson started to his
feet. His hands were clenched, his
eyes were fixed upon vacant point
with an eager gaze.
My God = he gasped, what vii.
lain am Look at NE now What a
state l am in, and what | sacrificed to
bring myself to it And they love me
yet and pray for me =
He said no more, but for a few mo.
ments he stood with his hands cench-
ed, and his eyes we're fixed. At length
his gaze was turned upwards, and his
clasped hands were raised above his
head. \ moment he remained so, and
then his hands dropped by his side,
and he started homeward.
When he reached home he found his
wife and children in tears, but he af-
fected to notice it not. He drew a
shilling from his pocket-it was his
last-and handing it to his wife, he
asked her if she would sent and get
him some porridge.
The wife was startled by the tone iu
which this was spoken, for It sounded
as in days gone by.
The porridge was made nice and
nourishipg, and Charles ate it all. He
went TO bed early, and early on the fol-
lowing day he was up. He asked his
wife if she had milk and -four enough
to make him another bowl Of porridge.
Yes, Charles, she said, we have
not touched it,
Then if you are willing, I should
like some more
Tho wife moved quickly about the
work, and ere long the food was pro.
pared. He washed and drassod and
would have shaved had his hand bren
steady enough. He left his nome aud
went at once to man who had just
commenced to frame house.
Mr.. Manly said he addressing the
man alluded to. have drank the last
drop Of alcoholic beverage that ever
passes my lips. Ask no more questions
but believe me now whilo you see me
true, Will you give me work !?
Charles Nelson are you in earnest"
asked Manly in surprise.
So much so, sir, that were death to
stand upon my right hand, and yonder
bar-room on my left, would go with
the grim messenger first
"Then here is my house lying about
us in rough timber and boards. |
place it in your hands, and shall look
to you to finish it. Come into nv Of
fee, and you shall zee the plan | have
drawn"
We will not tell you how that strong
man wept nor how his noble friend
shed tears to see him thus but Charles
Nelson took the plan, and having stud.
died it for 0 while, he went out whore
the men wero getting the timber to-
uether. and Mr.. Manly introduced him