Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1867-04-27
Mr.. and MrsA Nudgki s.
coNTNUED FROM LAST wEtK.

~ CONTINUED FROM LAST wRkK. r.
Had Polly followed the old bent of her
inclinations she would have tainted him
with being lazy and good for nothing
but she dared not do that now and vet
she felt obliged to say something, because
she knew that the spirit of her promise
required that she should be pleasant.
Come in to rest, didn't We, John?
No,-i just come in to get drink of
water, that's all. ..g .>@
Wouldn't glass of spirits taste bet
ter?
No, Polly-not now. Y on, know I've
made the promise and Imean to keep it
I if God gives me strength
The wi, next words were spoken frcm
the impulse of her heart
Hold on, John, let me get pail off,esh
water, that's been standin.
can get it, Polly.
No,-still from the heart-you are too
tired. I'll get it for you. ~
And away she went and very shortly
j. ohm had drink of pure water, fresh from
the we'll; andzwhef he had drank it he
felt no thirst for anything stronger.
Was it the cold water which John had
drank that lightened his hoe when he re-
sumed his labor !? No, it was something
that hadreached down deeper into his,
s 81 than that-simply KIND WORD.
And for the remaining hour of the fore
noon he worked away, feeling that kind
ly spoken word lightened his spirit as "a
glass of rum would erhave done.
And how was it in the house.
In half an hour Polly Nudgkins was
humming to herself tune-an old tune
and it was something she had not done
before for long time. Surely some
thing must have occurred to send a ray
of sunshine across her path, because such
people do not sing in, the lowering of
gloom. Could it have been the effect Of
her own kindly word to heriusband ?
Noon came and dinner was ready
John came in quite weary, and under the
influence of the new spirit which Polly
had called up she really sympathized with
him. The provision for the meal was
very 1neager, and if she had followed the
iabit of years, she would have point
ed out the fact, and taken occasion there
upon to shower abuse upon his head bat
she could not do that now. The hum
ming of the old tune had so softened her
voice that without much effort she kind
l'ly said: Is iFlEss Is .. -
It's poor. dinner, j ohm, but it's the
best we have.
And John. all his old good nature
aroused by the magic tongue of kind
words replied
Never mind, Polly. we'H eat what we
have to-day, and perhaps Tomorrow we'll
have something better. If dou't drink
any more rum I shall save in two days;
| shall earn more, and shan't spend so
much toolishly.
As Polly Nudgkins heard these words
she asked herself, if she had her husband S
welfare in her own hands !? Aye-had
welfare of herself and his children But
would he keep his promise !
And a still small voice whispered with
in; if s
Keep your own promise, and hope for
the best.
On the following morning, when John
awoke, he heard his wife at work in the
| kitchen, and when he had dressed him
self he crept out like culprit, expecting
to be abused for his laziness. He did not
| think it within the bonds of possibility
for Polly to hold, but he was mistaken
Polly had been. schooling herself, and was
ready for the labors Of the day 3 !, ~ i T B
Wels John, how do You feel this morn.
ing p
He had been feeling, to use one of his
own expressions, "kind o'streaked.17 but
those kind spoken words, and the smile
which accompanied them lifted his spirit
up in moment.
By glory he cried, shaking himself,
/ feel first rate.
He eat his breakfast. and then went
out to work, but he did not work as long
as he had worked the .dayybefore. To
wards night he camesin looking cad and
i detected and sat down with groan.
! What's the matter, Ohm +? and his wife
came and sat down by his s1de.I I 49,
Polly I'm afraid you'll have to give il
up.
The wife was startled. She was just
beginning to dream of peace and comfort
Gould it be possible that the half formed
fabric was going to tumble to pieces.
John, amt You going to keep your for
1ner promise? s &. - "a ss,at
Oh, it isn't that, Polly. God knows
want to do all lean, but / am weak aae
faint. Ican't work as I meant to work
/ have drank rum so long and drank sc
/ much, that itspnnss noe down terriblyte
tbreak off as Iaanpdoihg now Il viii take