Stretton, Hesba 1832-1911 creator text utu 2025 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats 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.) Release date is 2025-12-17 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 PZ Glasgow: Scottish Temperance League, 1891 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77483 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77483 UtSlPG 260607 20260610134808.0 77483