Nelly's dark days by Hesba Stretton
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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.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Stretton, Hesba, 1832-1911 |
|---|---|
| Title | Nelly's dark days |
| Original Publication | Glasgow: Scottish Temperance League, 1891. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PZ: Language and Literatures: Juvenile belles lettres |
| Subject | Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction |
| Subject | Children -- Juvenile fiction |
| Subject | Temperance -- Juvenile fiction |
| Subject | Families -- Juvenile fiction |
| Subject | Alcoholism -- Juvenile fiction |
| Subject | Alcoholics -- Juvenile fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 77483 |
| Release Date | Dec 17, 2025 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 224 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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