Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-02
CHAPTER II.

Buttoning his threadbare coat and drawing hi
hat down over his eyes, poor Tom walked rap
/ idly away from the Office Of Mr.. Madison, thu
sharp, frosty air penetrating to the skin and caus
/ ing him to shHer in every limb. Before leaving
home that morning he had promised his faithful
wife to seek employment, to abandon forever tn
Intoxicating bowl, and to make an honest effort t.
regain his former envable position in society. H'
knew very well, that Mr.. Madison was the onl!
man who was at all likely togive him employment
and if his application failed there, it was useless tt
make further effort. He had presumed too much
however, upon the patience and beneYolenee
that excellent gentlemen, and, as has already beer
intimated, Door Tom was doomed to meet with
disappointment and failure in that quarter.
Scarcely knowing what to do, or where to be
take himself, he wandered about the streets unit
noon, until, through the mere force of habit, hi
sauntered into small eating house and bar-roon
in the upper portion of the city. Going up to the
counter, at which he had taken his first glass o
wine, and where he had since squandered his hon
est earnings with lavish hand, he called for bran
DIV in husky tone of voice. and leaned, through
mere exhaustion, against the gilded pillar near the
bar
'No credit, Tom," said the landlord behind the
counter turning to wait upon several finely dressed
gentlemen, who had just entered.
aIdid not ask credit" said Tom, flush of in
dignation passing over his wan features.
sThen down with the spondulicks," " said thu
rough fellow, winking at the wel-dressed cuSto
mers
'There!" said Tom, with an emphasis whicl
surprised all parties. 'That is the last Of nearl!
one hundred hard-earned pounds, most of which
has been spent in this very house" And, as h
lifted his palm from the counter, bright slve
sixpence glistened moment before the landlord
and was swept eagerly into the little drawer.
With trembling hand, Tom drained the half
filled glass of brandy; then, with the terrible con
sciousness that he was now actually penniless, n
turned away and seated himsefin an obscure nool
near the counter. Here, burying his face in tn
palms of his hands, he reviewed the eventful re
cord of the past four or five years-how, step b.
step, he had wandered away from all that is pur
and good, until, now, finding himself upon tn
very brink of the precipice, no backward track t
virtue presented itself to his view, and the dizz
plunge into iguominious disgrace and ruin seeme'
q inevitable.
Just then q soft hand was laid upon his bowe'
head, and "dear papa whispered into his ear.
He looked hurriedly up; and there stood littl
Minnie, his once beautiful, but now emaciated
pale and sickly little daughter
Come with me, papa" said Minnie, beseech
ingly. "a gentleman has been waiting to see you
II don't know how long. Mamma kinder think
that he wants to see you about work. Please come
papa" And she took his hand and led him pas
|, sively into the street.
"Don't hold my hand, Minnie, said the wretch
ed parent, as soon as he found himself in the pub
lie streets "People will think you have been sen
after me to lead me home Who is this gentle
man, that you say wishes to see me?'
1 II don't know, papa; but he talks very kindl
to mamma and sister, and looks just like he want
) ed to help u.s.
'sPoor things!'' said Tom, looking down upo
the little bare, ruddy feet of his once spoiled an
petted child. "God grant that it may be as 20
say"
Good morning, Mr.. Simmons perhaps yo
do not recognize me p And the speaker extend
& ed his hand to Tom, who, that moment appears
!. in the doorway, accompanied by little Minnie.