Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-05-22
TOM TOPERLY.
BY WILLIAM T. COGGSHALL.

the town. He had been a great many
things besides a topper, but he had always
been toper-that is as long as he had
been at all, or at least since he was ten
years old, which PERIOD at the date of
our biography, was distant about fifteen
on the earth's revolutions around its or
| bit.
Tom has derived his patronimic from
an ancestry, which, probably at some an
clent era, had won the significant applica-
ton for exploits in the line that had
made him famous
Tom had been leniently "passed
through" all the temperance orders and
societies that had sprung up in his neigh
borhood, and he came out as much Of a
sot as he went in,-and more so if allow
ance was made for the lapse of time.
Tom had always been a bachelor, per
haps because he had not been sober long
enough to seek out wife, perchance be-
cause he was so much of a locomotive
demJon that no woman could have been
found foolish enough to 'link her fate
with his"
Tom had arrived at an era in his
"eventtul life" when he was too shiftless
to work even for gin, his favorits bever-
age, and he then began to talk that the
poor house would have to shelter him,
when one night he miracuously disap-
peared. He was so well known about
the town that every body missed him,
and there was general inquiry as to his
mysterious fate but no tidings came.
1t was the fifth Cay after his elopement
when Tom, "turned up' on the steps of
tavern about ten miles distant removed
from the town Of his nativity. He was
nennyless and the landlord had turned
him out of doors. He was as sober as
ever he had been in his life. A man in
rough farmers coat saw him, and tip
ping him on the shoulder said
"W hat are you doing here, my MANI"
"Waitin' for some fellow to ask me to
drink. Maybe you're the chap" was
Toms answer.
The rough looking man smiled and re-
piled
You look as if you had taken drink
enough in your life"
Pm awful dry, Haven't you had a
drop to-day, pom HONOR" resumed Tom,
with woeful face, as he smacked his
lips and drew his dirty coat cuff across
his mouth.
'If | will find you as much as you can
drink, will you go With 1ae2" inquired
the gentleman.
Yes and stay with you!" answered
Tom, "till the stock is out" springing
with some show of agility to his feet.
''Get into my wagon then," said the
Gentleman.
"With pleasure, sir" said Tom as he
ciambered into the farmers wagon before
the tavern.
Tom was driven fye miles into the
country, and was set down in farm yard
abounding with fowl and cattle.
This is our home" said his new friend
Tom thought it a queer place to get as
much as he could drink, but did not ven
ture to remark, k,-the gentleman led the
way to handsome stone house, gave
Tom seat in the porch and ordered
boy to bring pail Of water. It was cool
and limpid.
"Help YOURSELF" said the gentleman.
at is good, and your will stay with ne a
long time before you drink the spring
dry.
Tom thought his friend was facetious
He chuekled little and vsntured to say
"but the liquor
"What iiquor?" returned the gentle
man, as if he was astonlshed. "There is
none about my premises"
"But you told me if [ went with you
[ should have all l could drink"
$50 you shall-the spring never gets
dry, and the dairy i; large"
I'm not used to it,"
II kno : that we'll" returned the farm
er, "but mean you shall be. Come;
we'll not dispute now, supper is ready"
Tom was not unwilling to try good
supper, and as night was coming on, and
he wanted place to lay his head, he
didn't care to scold about the trick that
had been played upon him.
When he was ready to go to bed, the
gentleman conducted him to neat room,
and bidding him cool uight, locked the
door. In the morning Tom found him
self prisoner.
''This is a man-trap sure,' he cried
furiously, and kicking furlously against
the door.
"What is all this noise?" said voice
on the outside
Il want to come OUT" cried Tom.
"You are my prisoner" said the farm
er. for it was he who had answered Toms
summons. Il can keep you here as long
| IL IL Loo at