Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-05-15

village. Ho8 rs sa.gH sao
"Come Katy" said one of these lat
ter girls, to her companion, "let's go
away from here, because if anybody
should see US with those girls they'd
think we played with 'em. Come"
"But the berries are thick here" re-
monstrated the other.
'Never mind-we'll come out some
time when those little ragged drunk
ards girls aren't here" -
So the two favored ones went away
hand in hand, and Nelly and Nancy
Nelson sat down upon the grass and
cried. ........-
Don't cry, Nancy" said the eldest,
throwing her arms around her sis
.e--'e .ool.
Efi6H+x5 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.
40, we are not to blame. We are
good and kind, and loving, and we
never hurt anybody. o, wish some
body would love US; I should be so
happy"
"But we are loved, Nancy. Only
think of our noble mother. Who
could love us as she does ?"
Il know know, Nelly; but that
aren't all. Why don't papa love us
as he used to do? Don't you remem-
Der when he used to kiss US and make
US so happy? 0, how | wish he could
be so good to us once more. He is
not"
"-sh sissy, don't say anything
more. He may be good to us again
if ne knew how we loved him | know
he would And then / believe God
is good, and surely he will help US
sometime, for mother prays to him
every day
Yes" answered Nancy, a know
she does; and God must be our faith
er sometime"
"He is our father now, sissy"
! Il know it; but he must be all we
shall have by-and-hy, for don't you re-
member that mother told US that she
might leave US one of these days ?
She said a cold finger was upon her
heart, and-and-
Ssh. Don't, don't, Nancy, you'll"
The words were choked up with
SobS and tears, and the sisters wept
long together. At length they arose
and went away, for they saw more
children coming.
As soon as the little ones were out
cf si~ht Charles Nelson started to his
his eyes were fixed upon a vacant
point with an eager gaze.
"My God p he gasped, ''what a
villain | am Look at me now What
a state | am in, and what have I sac
rificed to bring myself to it !! And they
love me yet, and pray for me y
/ He said no more, but for some mo-
mentS he stood with his hands still
clenched, and eyes fixed. At length
his gaze was turned upward, and his
clasped hands were raised above his
head. A 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
affected 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 send and get
him some milk and -four, and make
him some porridge. The wife was
startled by the strange tone in which
this was spoken, for it sounded just
as that voice had sounded in days
gone by.
The porridge was made nice and
nourishing, and Charles ate it ALL
He went to bed early, and early on
the following morning he was up. He
asked his wife if she had milk enough
to make him another bowl of por-
ridge.
ayes, Charles" she said. 1--WE
have not touched it.
Then if you are willing, | should
like some more"
The wife moved quickly about the
work, and ere long the food was pre-
pared. The husband ate it, and he
ielt better. He washed and dressed
and would have shaved had his hand
been steady enough. He left his home
and went at once to man who had
just commenced to frame house.
"Mr. Manly" he said addressing
the gentleman alluded to. Il have
drank the last drop of alcoholic bey-
erage that ever passes my lips. Ask
me no more questions, but believe me
now while you see me true. Will you
give me work ?" s-- ..-...e ....
Charles Nelson are you in earn
est ?" .s---.
$50 much so, sir, that were death
to stand upon my right hand, and yon
der bar-room upon my left, would
go with the grim messenger first"
Then here is my house lying about
US in rough timber and boards.
place it all in your hands, and shall
look to you to finish it. While | car
} trust you, you can trust me. Come
into my Office and you shall have the
|, plan | have drawn
We will not tell how the stout mar
wept, nor how his noble friend shet
tears to see him thus; but Charles
Nelson took the plan, and having
studied it for while, he went ou
. 1a