Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-06-23

of the farm for three months you shall be
we'll fed and cared for. /, orly want your
word for security
>'Tll do it, cried Tom, eagerly arguing to
himself that if only his word was taken the
bonds that held him would not be very
powerful, although at the same time he felt
degree of pride to think the farmer mani
tested so much confidence in his integrity.
He naturally thought the whole affair a
queer one.
In day or two, Tom saw that the farm
er's only object was TO do him good SER
vice, by taking from him his love for gin.
The good nature to which appeals had been
made by the farmer would not allow him
to be ungrateful, and for six months Tom
worked on the farm sober man. Then
the farmer trusted HIM to 90 to the nearest
town. He had learned to work and was
useful.
AT the end of twelve months from the
night of his Imprisonment, the farmer said
to him
4 am going to take aride to-day, Thomas.
You will 60 with me.
AT the town where the farmer met Tom,
he conducted him to shop and had him
srigeed out in handsome suit of clothes,
and then paid him in addition, fair wages
for all the work he had performed. Toms
amazement at this proceeding we could not
attempt to describe, but it did not abate in
the least when the farmer said
Now you will 60 with me to the town
where YOU were known as asot. | shall call
you Mr.. Brown
why, Sir 2 ventured Tom, his eyes full
of tears.
You will SEE when we get there, but you
must be stranger TO every body, return
ed the farmer.
'Anything you say, sir" replied Tom,
more deeply amazed than he had yet been.
Arrived at the village, Mr.. Brown was
introduced to the principal citizens. The
farmer was generally known and much re-
spected. Mr.. Brown was well dressed and
made fine appearance. He was invited
with the farmer to dine with the magistrate,
a man. before whom he had often been az
raigned as a drunken vagrant. Had he-been
suddenly transported to the Moon, to Ve-
nus, or to Mars, he had not been more de-
cidedly astonished. He knew nearly eve
ry bodv-why did nobody know him; Be-
cause Mr.. Brown was no more like Tom
Toperly, than awell dressed, temperate man
is anywhere like a ragged, bloated, street
drunkard.
At dinner, looking at the magistrate, said
the farmer
Il believe it is about year since poor
drunken wretch, we'll named Tom Toperly,
disappeared from the village. Has there
ever been any tidings of him?
Not VOID, said the magistrate. 1T is
strange; Tom was good fellow, but he
would do nothing but drink gin; when he
could, he begged ii, and he would never
work only to get money to buy it.
During this speech Mr.. Browns face pass
ed through multitude of singular express
sions. The farmer, watching aim, replied
to the magistrate
He was at my house after he left here,
as fond of drink as ever
'I'l warrant IT. returned the magistrate.
Il have no doubt he died like beast IN some
ditch
Mr.. Brown could endure it no longer
Jumping up, and to the CONSERVATION of the
magistrate, nearly throwing the table over,
he cried
No, he didn't Here he is I'm Tom
Toperly! Don't Mr.. Brown me any more.
You kicked and cuf1ed me about this town
and were goln' to sendm to the work house
and call me nothing but drunken Tom,' but
this farmer made me think | was something
OF man. and now | amt ragged, and dir
ty, and bloated, but I've got good clothes
to wear and money in my pocket, and know
how to earn more, and you have taken me
for gentleman
Glad of it, Tom-glad of it, Tom! We're
having temperance meetings, and you shall
give US a speech-tell em your story Tom.
You are gentleman, and you shall stay in
my house as long as you are IN town. ex-
claimed the magistrate, shaking him by the
hand till his shoulder ached.
Make man think he is somebody ifycu
have to lock him up 10 do it; that's the way
to reform him, say |, cried Tom. The
farmers confidence in my simple word, that
no body would trust made man of me-
Tom told his story to all his old 'chums,
got number Of them to follow his example,
went back home with the farmer, in due
course of time became his son-in-law, and
died, leaving a number of children who,
though they inherited the unpromising
name of Toperly, have ever been soberly.