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

him with dollar.
why, you have earned three re-
turned Mauly.
And you will pay me three dollars
a day p
IF you are as faithful as you have
been today, for you will save me mon
ey at that
The poor man could not speak his
thanks in words, but his looks spoke
them for him, and Manly understood
them. He received his three dollars
and on his way home he bought first a
basket, then three loaves Of bread, a
pound of butter, some tea, sugar, and
a piece of becfsteaK, and he had jdst
one dollar and sevcnty>fve cents left.
1t was sometime before he could COM
pose himself to enter the house, but at
length he went in, and set the basket
upon the table.
Come, Mary he said, Il have
brought something home for supper.
Here, Nelly, you take the pail and run
over to Mr.. Browns anG get two quarts
of milk
He handed the child shilling as he
spoke, and in a half.bewidered state
she took the shilling 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 anon sho would
cast furtive glance at her husband,
llo had Lot bcon druking-shc knew
it--and yet he had money enough to
buy rum if he wanted it, What could
it mean? Had her prayers been an
swered ? Oh, how fcrvently she pray
ed then.
Soon Nelly returned with the milk,
and Mrs. Nelson set the table out
After supper, Charles arose and said to
his wife
II must go to Mr.. Manly's Office to
help him to arrange some plans for his
new house, but l will be 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 be-
fore for long time. There was some
thingin his manner that assured her,
and gave her hope.
Just as the clock struck nine, the
well.known foot fall was heard, strong
and steady. The door was opened and
Charles entered. His wife cast quick
and keen glance into his face, and she
almost uttered cry of joy when she
saw how he had changed for the bet.
ter, He had been to the BARRIERS and
hatter's. Yet nothing was said upon
the all important subject. Charles
wished to retire early and his wife went
with him. In the morning, the hus.
band arose first and built the fire.
Mary had not slept till long alter mid.
niwht, having been kept awake by the
tumultuous emotion that had started
up in her bosom, and she awoke not
so early as usual. But she came out
just as the tea'kottle and potatoes be.
gan to boil, and breakfast was soon
ready.
After the meal was eaten, Charles
arose, put on his hat, and then turning
to his wife he asked
w udl uO you uO lO-uay
I must wash for Mrs. Bigby.'
Are yon willing to obey me once
more /?
'Oh, yes
Then work for me to-day. Send
Nelly over to tell Mrs. Bigby that you
are not well enough to wash, for you
are not. Here is dollar, and you
must do 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, aud then having gently
placed her in seat, hs left the house.
When he went to his work that morn.
ing, he 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 unfortunate at
all.
1t was Sunday evening, and Nelson
had been almost week without rum.
He had earned fifteen dollars, ten of
which he had now in his pocket.
Mary he said, after the supper ia
BILE had been cleared away, there are
ten dollars for you aud want you to
expeud it in clothing for yourself and
the children, l have earned fifteen
dollars the past five days. I am to
build Squire Npply's great house and
he pays ME three dollars day. A
good job isn't it?
Mary looked up, and her lips moved
but she could not speak word. She
struggled few moments and burst
into tears. Her husband took her by
the arm aud drew her upon his lap,
then pressed her to his bosom,
Mary he whispered, while the tears
ran dawn his own cheeks, you are not
deceived. l am ChaslsS Nelson oRve