The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-02-27
10, can't help It," sobbed the strick-

NduCy, SuLiuS lttO Hci otStci oioSO' "
we are not to blame We are good and
kind and loving, and We never hurt any.
body. o, l wish somebody would love
me i; I should be SO happy"
"But we are loved Nancy. Only think
Of our noble mother. Who could love
US as she does ?"
II know know, Nelly; but that
aren't all. Why don't papa love US as
he used to dop Don't you remember
when he used to kiss US and make us so
happy2 o, how / wish he could be SO
good to US once more. He is not
Ssh, sissy, don't say anything more.
He may be good to US again, If he knew
how we loved him / know he would
And then l believe God is good and
surely he will help US sometime, for
mother prays to him every day." r
EYES," answered Nancy, l know she
does; and God must be our Father
sometime"
"He is our father now, sissy"
81 know it; but he may be all we shall
have by and by, for don't you remem-
ber that mother told US that she might
leave us one of these days1 She said
a cold finger was upon her heart, and
and"
"-sh. Don't Nancy; you'll"
The words we're choked up with sobs
and tears, and the sisters wept long to.
gether. At length they arose and went
away, for they saw more children com.
ing. =.
AS soon as the little ones were out OF
sight. Charles Nelson started to his feet
His hands were clencbed, and his eyes
were fixed upon vacant point with an
eager gaze.
any God!' he gaspei, "what a vii.
lain am! Look at me now! What q
state am in and what have sacrificed
to bring myself TO itr'
He said no more, but for some mo-
ments stood with his hands still clenched
and eyes fixed. At length his gaze was
turned upward and his clasped hands
we're 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 affect
ed to notice it not. He drew shilling
from his pocket-it was his last-and
handing it to his wife, he asked If she
would send and get him some milk and
-four, and make him some porridge. His
wife was startled by the strange tone ir
which this was spoken, for It sounded
Just as that voice had sounded in day.
gone by.
The porridge was made nice and nour
ishing. and Charles ate it all He wen
10 bed early, and early the following
morning he was up. He asked his wifi
|if she had milk and -four enough tc
make him another bowl Of rorridge
Yes, Charles" she said. I've hav,
not touched it"
"Tben if,yon are willing, l should
like some more"
The wife moved quickly about th,
work and ere long the food was prepar
ed. The husband ate it, and felt better
He washed and dressed, and would hav'
shaved had his hand been steady enough
He left his home and went at once Il
man who had just commenced to frame
house.
"Mr. Manly" he said, addressing the
gentleman alluded to, 81 have drank th'
last drop of alcoholic beverage that eve
passes my lips. Ask no more questions
but believe me now while you see mi
true. Will you give me work ?"
"Charles Nelson, are you in earnest ?
asked Manly, in surprise.
$50 much so, sir, that were death tC
stand upon my right hand, and yonde
bar-room upon my left, l would 60 witt
the grim messenger first"
"Then, here is my house lying abou
US in rough timber and boards l plac'
il all in your hands and shall look t
you to finish it. While l can trust you
you can trust me. Come into my otfic
and get the plan
We will not tell how the stout mai
wept, nor how his noble friend she,
tears to see him thus; but Charles Mel
son took the plan, and having studies
lit for a while he went out where the me-
we're at work getting the timber togeth
Ter, and Mr. Manly introduced him q
Their master. That day he worked bu
little, for he was not strong yet, but b
ARRANGED the timber, and gave direction
1 for framing. At night he asked his en-
lployer if lie dared trust him with do
lar.
"Why, you've earned three" reptile
Manly.
T. "And will you pay me three dollars
IdayY"- i.--'..', i,
"If you are as faithful as you hay
been to day, for you will save me none
at tina" '. 81 Z
1 The poor man could not speak hi
thanks in words, but his looks spoke 70
him, and Manly understood them. II
received three dollars, and on his wa
home bought basket, then three loaye
of bread, pound of butter, some te'
sugar, and q piece OF beefsteak, and b
had just one dollar and seventy.fy
cents left With this load he went hom,
1t was some time before he could con
pose himself to enter the house, but .
length he went in and set the basket ul
! on the table.
!. "Come, Mary" he said, II ha,
brought something home for supper
Here, Nellie, you take the pail and ru
, over to Mr.. Browns and get coup
of quarts of milk fJ8
He handed the child shilling as
; spoke, and in half-bewildered state 81
. took the money and hurried away.
Ell The wife started when she raised u
: cover of the basket, but she dared n
e speak. She moved about like one in
9 fdream, and ever and anon she wou
!. cast a furtive glance at her husband /.
He had not been drinking-she knew
e and yet he had money to buy ru
/ with il he had wanted it. What cou
it mean7 Ead her prayers been an
: wered3 o, how fervently she pray
IthenA 0 .5. - 80 ia5s
e Soon Nellie returned with the mi
3 and Mrs. Nelson set the table out A
ter supper CEarles arose and said TO
Y wife: - ssu g 1'"i.--