Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-05-15
The Unmeant Rebuke.
A LIFE LESSON.
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.


had once been one of the happiest
mortals, and no blessing was wanting
to complete the sum of his happiness.
He had one of the best of wives, and
his children were intelligent and come
ly. He was a carpenter by trade, and
no man could command better wages,
or be more sure of work. If any man
attempted to build a house, Charles
Nelson must boss the job, and for
miles around, people sought him to
work for them. But change had
z----- ------ L. I:r-- A Io.>>~-, bod ", OF
him on his way, and he had I'd
back with the evil spirit. A new and
experienced carpenter had been sent
for by those who could no longer de-
pend upon Nelson, and he had settled
in the village, and now took Nelson's
place.
On a back street, where the great
trees threw their great branches over
the way, stood small cottage, which
had once been the pride of its inmates.
Before it stretched a wide garden,
but tall, rank grass grew up among
the choking flowers, and the paling of
the fence was broken in many places.
The house itself had once been white
but it was now dingy and dark
Bright green blinds had once adorned
the windows, but now they had been
taken off and sold. And the windows
themselves, bespoke poverty and neg
lect for in many places the glass was
gone, and shingles, rags and old hats
had taken its place. A single look
at the house and its accompaniment
told the story. 1t was the drunkard 5
home!
Within sat woman in early years
of life, and though she was still hand
some to look upon, the bloom was
gone from her cheek, and the bright
ness had faded from her eyes. Poor
Mary Nelson Once she had been
the happiest among the happy, but now
none could be more miserable Near
her sat two children, both girls, and
both beautiful in form and feature
but their garbS were all patched and
worn, and their feet Shoeless. The
eldest was thirteen years of age, and
the other two years younger. The
mother was hearing them recite q
grammar lesson, for she had resolved
that her children should not grow up
in ignorance. They could not attend
the common school for the, thnnorht,
made them the subject of sport and
ridicule; but in respect they did not
suffer, for their mother was we'll ed.
ucated, and she devoted such time as
she could spare, to their instruction.
For more than two years, Mary
Nelson had earned all the money that
had been used in the house. People
hired her to wash, iron and sew for
them, and besides the money paid, they
gave her many articles of food and
clothing. So she lived on, and the
only joys that dwelt with her now
were teaching her children and pray
ing to God.
Supper time came, and Charles Mel
son came reeling home. He hac
worked the day before at hel pins
to move a building,and thus had earn
ed money enough to find himself il
rum for several days. AS he stumbled
into the house the children crOucheC
close to their mother, and even she
Shrank away, for sometimes her hus
band was ugly when thus intoxicated
Q, how that man had changed with
in two years Once there was not {
finer looking man in the town. Ii
frame he had been tall, stout, compac
aud perfectly formed, while his fact
bore the very beau ideal of manly
beauty. But all was changed now
dis noble form was bent, his limb.
Shrunken and tremulous, and his face
all bloated and disfgured. He wa!
not the man who had once been tht
fond husband and doting father. Th,
loving wife had prayed, and wept, an(
implOred, but all to no purpose; thC
husband was bound to the drinkin!
companions of the bar-room, and h'
would not break the bonds.
That evening Mary Nelson ate NJ
supper, for of all the food she had ii
the house there was not more thai
enough for her husband and children
but when her husband had gone sh'
went out and picked few berries, ant
thus kept her vital energy alive
That night the poor woman prayeC
long and earnestly, and her little one
prayed with her.
On the following morning Charlie
Nelson sought the bar-room as sool
as he arose, but he was sick AID fain
and liquor would not revive him, fo
it would not remain on his stomach
He had drank very deep the nigh
before, and he felt miserable. A
length, however, he managed to keel
down few glasses of hot sling, bu
the close atmosphere of the BARRON
seemed to stife him, and he went out
The poor man had sense enough t
, know that if he could sleep he shoul
feel better, and he had just feelinI
!, enough to wish to keep away fror
home, so he wandered off towards
wood not far from the village, ant
sank down by the side of a stone wal
and was soon buried in a profoun,
slumber. When he awoke, the SUI
| was shining down upon him, and rails
) ing himself to sitting posture, h
, gazed about him. He knew that
was afternoon, for the sun was turn