The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-10-21

to the Rainbow r. jIt.lt
Well, it seemed SO, for nothing stron'
ger than water had passed his lips in
the shape of drink since the night when
his sister had shown him the bunch of
rags. ..t. .. ..t..... ...
"Pll have talk with Tom and learn
how he got off the scent, though" Sin.
clair resolved.
An opportunity came sooner than he
expected. .... .,..t.4
In the beginning Of the summer
terrific thunder storm passed Arlie, and
among the general devastation tho
"Rainbow's" signboard was shivercd to
atoms.
Tom happened to be passing tho
Rainbow the next morning, and stop
ped to take glance up at the old marx.
"Fine work here" remarked Mr..
Sinclair who was standing in his door;
"the storms done for us, and III
have to get a new signboard."
"Is it so bad as that ?" said Tom.
eyes, the "Rainbow" is in shivers,"
said Mr.. Sinclair. .........
"Then you'll want new sign board"
said Tom.
"Of course ; isn't that what 1 am
telling you ?"
as it to be the Rainbow, again ?"
asked Tom. ...... ..5r
81 suppose So" answcaed Mr. SIN
clair, unless you can give us new idea,
Tom," continued he laughingly. .
81 tkink l can" said TON, but
must 90 home first"
"Don't forget, though" said Mr..
Sinclair. "you're stranger nowadays,
by the by Tom"
81 won't be long, and with a brisk
step he walked down the street.
"Halloa, Tom, what's your hurry Z!
cried a friend, as Tom came up against
a corner.
,'Oh, Sinclars sign board was de-
stroycd last night, and I'm going to pre-
sent him with new one," inswered
Tom with a smile, whice was diamotri>
cally opposed to his old principles.
"Oh, no, that's it." resumed his old
friend but perhaps it would be as well
for Arlie if the "Rairbow" was never
put up again" . .f - ...
Tom was out Of hearing. .-
A better sign than the Rainbow Mr..
Sinclair did not expect to get; he was
only joking with Tom Hall, and he rais-
ed his eyebrows when Tom made his
appearance with bundle under his arm
and requested him to hook at the new
signboard. ...
n didn't think yon would catch me
up; but step in, Tom and let's see
pour idea"
Tom gravely united the bundle and
held bunch OF rags before the publ
cans astonished eyos.
What do you mean Tom ? asked
Mr., Sinclair, feeling confident that Tom
had lost his senses. ......
ASK yourself, sir, if Bunch of
Rags is not the best sign a publican
can hang across his door?' said Tom
and his lip quivered.
Was it that bunch of rags that made
you tetotaler, Tom p said Mr., Sinclair
more confused thad he liked to own.
IL was through Gods means,I think,
si",' answered Tom, and perhaps poor
wretches, seeing there the end of drink,
may bless you for that sign board
Tom walked away to his work and
Mr.. Sinclair went back to his counter
but all day the bunch of rags troubled
him. He was a kind hearted man and
believed himself a Christian, ami did
not like the idea of being considered
the cause Of misery and rags. To man
of his disposition it was painful in the
extreme he could not help feeling
when poor shivering ragged yretches
came in and laid down the price of a
glass, When he lifted their money he
felt as if he were stealing their means.
1t vas busy day and every new
conner was more deplorabe and wretch
ed than he last served. He WAS thank
iul when night came.
The last customer was woman liter
ally hanging in tatters. A little infant
sat on her arm, 1t was crying with the
cold 1t lifted the rag that covered its
naked limbs, and looked piteously at
him.
go home and put clothes on your
poor child, said Mr.. Sinclair hinging