02283cam a22003493u 4500 77483 UtSlPG 20260610134808.0 m cr n 260607r20251891utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PZ Stretton, Hesba, 1832-1911 Nelly's dark days Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2025 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2025-12-17 Nelly's dark days by Hesba Stretton is a Victorian-era temperance novella written in the late 19th century. It follows a poor Liverpool family undone by a father’s alcoholism and explores the social lure of drink, the suffering it causes, and the hope of redemption through faith, community support, and total abstinence. The story centers on Nelly, her drunkard father John Rodney, her ailing mother, and Bessie Dingle, a loyal street-girl he once rescued. After scenes of neglect—locking Nelly out at night, pawning her cherished doll, and even stealing violets from his dead wife’s hands—Rodney reforms briefly, then relapses. Tragedy strikes when Nelly’s dress catches fire; believing she has died, Rodney tries to end his life and is taken to the infirmary. In a workhouse he awakens to remorse and faith, later hears a temperance lecture by Mr. Radford, signs the pledge, and returns to the countryside. There he finds Bessie caring for his mother and, to his astonishment, Nelly alive though crippled. Welcomed home, Rodney vows—strengthened by love, conscience, and reliance on God—to remain sober and rebuild a humble, hopeful life. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Originally published: Glasgow: Scottish Temperance League, 1891 Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction Children -- Juvenile fiction Temperance -- Juvenile fiction Families -- Juvenile fiction Alcoholism -- Juvenile fiction Alcoholics -- Juvenile fiction https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77483 118203 118203