Year: 1862

had once been one OF the happiest Of
mortals, and no blessing was wanted to
complete the sum OF his happiness
He had one Of the best wives. and his
children we're Intelligent and comely.-
He was a carpenter bv trade. and no
man could command better wages. or De
more sure of work. II any man at
tempted to build house. Charles Mel
son must boss the job. and for miles
around the people sought him to do
vork for Them. But 3 change had
com. over his life. A demon had met
aim an his way, and he had turned
back with evil spirit. A new and ex
,perienced carpenter had been sent for
Nv those who could no longer depend
unon Nelson, and he had settled in the
village. and now took Nelson's place.


On back street, where the great
trees threw their green branches over
the vay, stood small cottage which
had been the pride of the inmates
Before 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 itself had once been white. but
il was now dingy and dark. Bright
green blinds had been taken OH and
sold. And the windows themselves be-
smoke poverty and neglect, for in many
places the glass was gone, and shingles,
Iaos and old hats had taken its place.
A single lock at the house and It's ac-
commandments told the whole story. II
was drunkard's house.


Within, sat woman yet in her early
wears of life, and though she was still
handsome to look upon, the bloom was
gone from her cheek, and the bright
ness had faded from her eyes. Poor
Mary Nelsonl Once she had been the
happiest among the happy. but now
none could be more miserablel--
Near her sat two children. both girls,
and both beautiful in form and features;
but their garbs we're all patched and
worn. and their feet we're shoeless.--
The eldest WAS thirteen years OF age,
and the other, two years younger
The mother was hearing them recite
grammar lesson, for she had resolved
that her children should never grow up
in ignorance. They could not attend
common school. for thoughtless chil
dren sueered at them and made them
the object OF sport and ridicule; but in
this respect they did not suffer, Tor
their mother was well educated. 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 the house. People hired
her to wash, iron, and gave her many
articles of food and clothing. So she
lived on, snd the only joys that dwell
with her now. were teaching her
children and praying 10 God.


Supper time came, and Chas. -Ielson
came reeling home. He had worked
the day before at helping move build
ino. and thus bad earned money
enough to find himself in rum fol
several davs. As he stumbled into the
house. the children crouched close tc
their mother, and she even shrant
away, for sometimes her husband was
uely when thus intoxicated.


o. how that man had changed within
two yearsI Once there was not 6nel
looking man in the town. In frame HI
had been tall, stout. compsctly and per
fectly formed, while his face bore thu
very beau-ideal OF manly beauty. Blu
all was changed now His noble form
was bent, his limbs shrunken ant
tremulous, and his lace all bloated AMI
dis6gured. He was not the man Wit
had once been the fond and dotint
father. The loving wife had prayed
went, and implored, but all to no pur
nose: the husband was bound to tn
drinking companions of the bar room
and he would not break the bonds.


That evening. Mary Nelson ate n
sumner. for of all the lood in the house
there was not more than enough 70
her husband and children; but whe
her husband had gone, she went ou
and picked lew berries. and thus keI
her vital energies alive. That nigh
,ne poor woman prayed long an
earnestly, and her little ones praye
with her.


On the following morning Charlt
Nelson, sought the bar-room as soon
Re arose, but he was sick and faint, an
the LIQUOR would not revive him, for


would not remain on his stomach. h
drank very deeply the night befor
and he felt miserable. At lengtl
however, he managed to keep down


few glasses of hot sling. but the atmo
phere of the bar-room seemed to stiff
him, and he went out.


The poor man had sense enough
know that if he could sleep he'd fe
better, and he had ;;gGst feeling enoug
TO wish TO keep away from home; SO
wandered off towards q wood not Il
from the village, and sank down 5y


stone wall and was soon buried in pr
found sIumber. When he awoke. Il
sun was shining down bot upon bin
and raising himself to q sitting postur
be gased about him. He was just
the point Of raising. when bis motto
was arrested By the sound oil VOC
near at hand. He looked through


chink in the wall. and just upon u
other side his two children picking DC
~ a little further of were two mo