The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-02-27
Selfrf STORY.
THE UNMEANr REBUKE,
BY srLvANus COBB, JR.

THE UNMEANr REBCKE,
BY sYLvANUs. COBB, JR.
.3eNpaEf .i gssff t.reE
Charles Nelson had reached his thirty
rst year, and at that age he found him.
elf going down hill. He had once been
ne OF the happiest Of mortals, and no
lessing was wanting to complete the
um OF his happiness. He had one of
he best wives, and his chill lren were in
elligent and comely. He was carpen-
er by trade, and no man could CON-
nsnd better wages, or be more sure of
york. II any man attempted to build
house, Charles Nelson must boss the
oh, and for miles around people sought
Tim to work for them. But change
lad come over his life. A demon had
net him on his way, and he had turned
,ack with the evil spirit. A new and
experienced carpenter had been sent for
,y those who could no longer depend
lpon Nelson, and he had settled in the
7illage. and now took Nelson's place.
On back street, where the great trees
hrew their green branches over the
way, stood small cottage, which had
,nce teen the pride of its inmates. Be-
ore it stretched wide garden, but tall,
'ank grass grew up among the choking
lowers, and the paling of the fence was
broken in many places The house itself
lad once been white hut it was now
lingy and dark Bright green blinds
had once adorned the windows, but now
hey had been taken off and sold. And
.he windows themselves bespoke poverty
and neglect, for in many places the glass
vas gone, and shingles, rags and old
hats had taken its place A single look
1T the house and its Accomplishments
told the story. 1t was the drunkards
home! 80
Within sat q woman yet in the early
years Of life, and though she was still
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! Neai
her sat two children, both girls, and
both beautiful in form and feature; but
their garhs were all patched and worn
and their feet were shoeless. The eldest
was thirteen years of age, and the othei
two years younger. The mother was
hearing them recite grammar lesson,
for she ha6 resolved that her children
should not grow up in ignorance. They
could not attend the common school,
for thoughiless children sneered ct them
and made them the subject Of sport and
but in this respect they did moi
suffer, for their mother was we'll educa
ted, and she devoted such time as she
could spare to their instruction.
For more than two years, Mary Mel.
son had earned all the money that had
been used in that house. People hired
her to wash, iron and sew for them, an6
besides the money paid they gave hel
many articles of food and clothing. So
she lived on, and the only joys that
dwelt with her now were teaching bel
children and praying to God. ~. .a.d
Supper time came and Charles Nelson
came reeling home. He had worked the
day before at helping move a building,
and thus had earned money enough tc
find himself in rum for several days. Al
he stumbled into the house the children
close to their mother, and even
she shrank away, forsometimes her hus.
band was ugly when thus intoxicated
: ., how that man had changed withir
two years! Once there was not fnel
looking man in the town. In frame hs
had been tall, stout, compact and per
fectly formed, while bis face bore the
very beau ideal Of manly beauty. "a Bu'
all was changed now. His noble form
was bent, the limbs shrunken and trem
ulous, and his face all bloated and dis
figured. He was not the man who had
once been the fond husband and dotins
father. The loving wife had prayed
and wept, and implored, but all to M
purpose; the husband was bound to tht
companions OF the bar room
andphe would not break the bonds.
. That evening Mary Nelson ate NJ
supper, for Of all the food she had il
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 hers vital energy alive. Tha
night the poor woman prayed long ant
earnestly, and her little ones praye'
with, her.. isiss A So, s ss3ss,szg
On the following morning Charlie
Nelson sought the bar-room as soon a
he arose, but he was sick and faint, an,
liquor would not revive him, for it woul
not remain on his stomach. He ha'
drank very deeply the night before an
felt miserable. At length, however b
managed to keep down few glasses 9
hot sling, but the close atmosphere G
the sbar,room seemed to stifle him, an
he went out. et5e sa ~ d aa ~
The poor man had sense enough t
know that II he could sleep he shoul
feel better, and ne had just feelin
enough to wish to keep away frol
home; so he wandered off towards
wood not far from the village, and san
down by the side of q stone wall an
was soon buried in profound slumbe
When he awoke, the sun was sbinin
hot upon him, and raising himself to
sitting posture, he gazed about him
He knew that it was sfternoon for Il
sun was turning to the west, He wi
| just on the point Of rising, when th
motion was arrested by the sound (
lyoices near at hand He looked throug
q chink in the wall and just upon Il
other side he saw his two children pic
ling berries. while q little further of We
1.-TWO more girls, the. children of the ca
penter who had lately moved into Il
village ...f-. ..-.,s.. ,f...o
"Ccme, Katy" said one Of these Ia
ter girls to her companion, "let's {
laway from here, because if any OF
should see us with those girls they
think we played with 'em. Come"
tBut the berries are thick here" !
monstrated the other. aess9 s,as
'.Never mind--we'll come out son
Itime when those little ragged fdrunkard
fgfrls aren't here" ,1t s
So the two favored ones went aw,