The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-10-21
VOL UIHE EIGUT--NUIHBER %.
g Gtmperaute gtorg,
TIE BUNCH OFRAGS.

Everybody liked Tom Hall and every
body was sorry for him. 1t was SAD to
see such fine young man the victim of
drunkenness, and Tom had fallen into
the mocker's power lunwsttingly, it
seems. .....
A new dram shop had been opened
close to the foundry at which he work
cd, and he along with others was in the
habit of going in for glass of ale.
When the cold weather set in, he took
something stronger, and he imagined
that ii agreed with his spirits.
Time went on and the liking for
strong drink increased and grew stron>
ger, until at all hours he might be seen
staggering out of the " Rainbow" dizzy
and stupifed with the poison Of the To-
toxicating cup.
Toms was very bad case, for he be-.
louged to a respectable family, and he
had been religiously trained ; and until
he had been drawn into snare, he was
an affectiouate son and brother and
friends counseled, and ministers preach
ed, and every means tried to resaim
him, but all efforts seemed lost. Tom
was bound hard and fast in the invisible
chains of the mocker. His family
mourned him as lost, and many silent
tear his sister let fall on his tattered
garments, as she sat patching and darn
ing them.
Tom was infatuated, all agreed but
for all that he was favorite, from the
mansion to the meanest hut in Arlie !;
and some good people prayed for poor
Tom Hall. ..........r ....... ...rr
"Ah, these rents will not darn again."
sighed Jennie, as she turned over Toms
ragged raiment.
In Toms bettor days he had pride,
and it was such a change when he
didn't care who saw him " out at the
elbows" .r.
But somehow Jennie could not find
it in her heart to abandon the brother
she still loved and so Toms tattered
habilimeuts were taken up again and
made the most of.
Kindness may win him back said
Jennie; and when he came home at the
worse he vas met with words of peace,
if in sorrow.
Just as the trees we're beginning to
bad with the promise Of spring, Tom
came home looking thoughtful. He was
sober after long run.
In the last rays of the setting sun his
sister was trying to cover some darns.
Tom sat down beside her, and silently
watched the patient fingers for some
time.
"That's tiresome work, Jennie" he
said.
His sister held up her seam before
him.
"Why, that's bunch of rags, laugh,
ed Tom.
Yes, Tom and bunch of rags
would be the best sign that a publican
could hang across his door, said Jennie,
sadly.
Tom made no reply; he looked at
the rags in silence.
Next day Tom went back to his work
and continued so for two or three weeks
He looked at the Rainbow" but did
not go in. Halo ?" what's up with
Tom Hall ?" wondered Sinclair, as he
filed up a glass with Toms fayorite
WhlsKey LOT another customer at the
counter.
Sinclair was not the only one that was
astonished at the change.
Every day Tom went to his work /;
every night he came homo sober, and
after time he appeard at the church
on the Sabbath. Then people began to
think that Tom was in earnest and
meant to reform.
Z" The angels come at last" whis-
pered Florence, and bright drop fell
on Dicks golden hair.
"Had Tom Hall really become a te.
totaler," wondered Sinclair when