Year: 1868

going down hill. lie Lad 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 comely He was carpenter by
trade, and no man could command better
or be more sure of work II any man
attempted TO build n house, 'hares Nell
son must boss the job, and for miles
around, people sought HIM to work for
them. But change had come over his
life. A demon had met him on his way,
and he had turned back with the evil
spirit. A new and experienced carpenter
had been sent for by those who could no
longer depend upon Nelson, and he had
settled in the village, and now took Nell
sons place.


On 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 Be-
fore it stretched 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 it,
self had once been white, but it was 80
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
neglect 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 accompaniments told the
story Ii was tho drunkards home
| Within sat woman in early years Of
life, and though she was still handsome to
look upon, the bloom was gone from her
cheek. and the brightness had faded from
her eyes. Poor Mary Nelson! Once
she had been the happiest among the hap
| py, but DOW none could he more miserable
Near her sat two children, both girls, and
both beautiful in form and feature; but
their gaibs were all pa:ched and worn,
and their feet shoeless. The eldest was
thirteen years of age, and the other two
years ,ounger The mother was hearing
them recile grammar Lesson, Cor she had
resolved that her children should not grow
up in ignorance. They could not attend
the common school, for the ihoughtless
children sneered ut them AMI made them
the subject OF sport and ridicule but in
this respect they did not suffer, for their
mother was well educated, AMI she de-
voted such time as she could spare, t.
their instruction.


For more than two years, Mary Nell
son 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 heT
many articles of food and clothing. Sc
she lived on, and the only joys that
dwelt with her now were teaching hel
children and praying to God.


Supper time came, and Charles Nelson
came reeling home. He had worked The
day before at helping to move II building
and thus had earned money enough tC
find himself in rum for many days. A.
he stumbled into the house the children
crouched close to their mother, and ever
she shrank away, for sometimes her hus
band was ugly when thus intoxicated.


o, how that man had changed within
two years Once there was not finer
looking man in the town In frame hc
had been tall, stout, compact and per
fectly formed, while his face bore tn,
very beau ideal of manly beauty. Blu
all was changed now. His noble form
was bent, his limts shrunken and tremu
lous, and his face all bloated and disfigur
ed. He was not the man who had ono,
been the fond husband and dotilg father
The loving wife had prayed, and wepi
and implored, but all TO no purpose; tn
husband was bound TO the drinking com
panions of the bar room, and he woul'
not break the bonds.


hat evening Mary Nelson ate no sup
per, for Of all the food she had in th
house there was not more than enoug
for her husband and children; but whe
her husband had gone she went ont an
picked few berries, and thus kept he
: vital energy alive. That night the poe
: woman prayed long and earnestly, IN


her little ones prayed with her.


On the following morning Charles Ne


son sought the barrroom as soon as Il
, arose, but he was sick and faint and !
quor would not revive him, for it woul


not remain on his stomach. He ha
drank very deep the night before, and h
felt miserable. At length, however, |
e managed to keep down few glasses
6 hot sling, but the close atmosphere OF Il
y bar-room seemed to siiflle him, and


went ont


The poor man had sense enough


know that if he could sleep he should ie


better, and he had Just feeling enough
e wish to keep away from home, so
At wandered OF towards wood not &
M M from the village, and sank down by
e stone wall and was soon buried in a pr
!, found slumber. When he awoke, q
:. sun was shining down upon him, Al
IT raising himself TO sitting posture,
/, gazed about him. He knew that il W
= afternoon, for the sun was turning iowa
I'd the west. He was just on the point


rising when this motion was arrested


the sound of voices near at hand. !


looked through chink in the wall, al


just upon the other side he saw his "


children picking berries, while a lii
= further off were two more girls, the ch