Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-12-11
TOM TOPERLY.

the world. lie had been great many
things besides a topper, but he had been al
ways topper since he WAS twelve years
old, and ho was now twenty-five
Tom had been "passed through" all the
temperance orders and societies that had
sprung up in his neighborhood, and he,
came out as much of a sot as he went in.
He was bachelor, perhaps because he
had not been sober long enough to seek
out wife, perchance because he was 80
much of a locomotive demuohn that no
sane woman could have been found fool
ish enough to "link her fate with his"
Tom had arrived at an era in his "event-
ful life" when he was too shiftless to work
even for gin, his iavorite beverage, and
he then began to think that the poorhouse
would have TO shelter him, when one night
he miraculously disappeared, He was 80
well known about the town that every
body missed him, and there was general
inquiry as 10 his mysterious fate, but no
| tidinge came.
1t was the fifth day after his disappear
ance when Tom turned up" on the steps
of a tavern about ten miles distant re-
moved from the town of his nativity. He
was penniless, and the landlord had turned
him out of doors. He was as sober as ever
he had been in his life. A man In arough
farmers coat saw him, and tapping him
on the shoulder, said:
"What are you doing here, my manr
"Waiting for some fellow to ask me TO
drink. May be 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 yom life" r n4I -iF
I'm awful dry. Haven't had u dropto-
| 1aNt ~ On IA fHNn, NTH a xr,G,l rann
=" If will find you as much as you can
drink viii you go with meY" 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, thep," said the
gentleman
"With pleasure, sir, said Tom, as he
clambered into the farmers wagon before
the tavern,
Tom was driven five miles into the coun.
try, and was set down in 3 farm.yard
abounding with fowl and cattle.
This Is our home," said his new
friend.
Tom thought it queer place to get as
much as he could drink, but did not ven
ture to remark. The gentleman led the
way to a handsome stone house, gave Tom
p seat in the porch, and ordered boy to
bring q pail of water. 1t was cool and
limpid.
"Help yourself" said the gentleman.
at Is good, and you will stay with me
long time before you drink the spring
dry"
Tom thought his friend was facetious.
He chuckled little and ventured to say,
"But the liquor |"
"What hquort" returned the gentls-
man, as IL he was astonished "There is
none about my premises"
"But you told me il went with you
should have all could drink"
$50 you shall-the spring never gets
dry, and the dairy Is large"
I'm not used to il"
"I know 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 did
not 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
4 and bidding him goodnight, locked the
door. In the morning Tom found himself
Q a prisoner.
!. "This Is man trap, sure" he cried
2 furiously kicking against the door.
; "What is all this noise?' said a voice OF
the outside,
, al want 10 come out" cried Tom.
n "You are my prisoner" said the farmer
. for II was he who answered Toms sum
mons. 81 can keep you here as long as
. please; but II you promise not to go OF
y the farm for three months you shall b,
. q Sell fed and cared for, only want you
= word for security tlAt
am do it," cried Tom, eagerly, arguing
10 himself that IL only his word was taken
a the bonds that held him would not b. verl
Is powerful, although at the same time h
n ielt a degree of pride TO think that tn
d farmer manifested so much confidence II
N his integrity. lie naturally thought tn
u whole matter queer one.
70 In a day or two Tom saw that III
farmers only object was to do him goo,
Is service, by taking from him his love Of gir
" The good nature TO which appeals ha
a been made by the farmer would not alloy
:. him 10 be ungrateful, and for six month
n Tom worked on the farm sober mar
g Then the farmer trusted him TO 90 20 tn
K nearest town. He came back ct the az
a pointed time sober. He had learned I
!. work and be useful.
n At the end of twelve months from IN
. night Of his imprisonment the IAymeT sai
q al am going 70 take ride today
). Thomas. You viii 60 with me"
e At the town where the farmer met Tom
u be conducted him 10 a shop and had hin
a "rigged-outp in a handsome suit O
Il clothes, and then paid him In addition 70
le all the WORK he had performed. Tom
e amazement at this proceeding We woul
ID not attempt 70 describe, but il did not Abat
ae In the leaat when the farmer said