The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-06-06
A BUNCH OF RAGS.

Everybody liked Tom HaA, and everybody
was sorry for him. 1t was sad to see such q
Enc Young man victim to drunkenness, and
Tom bad fallen into the mock er's power, an
Willingly, it seems.
A new dram shop had been opened close
on the foundry at which he worked, and, he
along with others, was in the habit of going
in for glass Of ale. When the cold weather
set in, be took something stronger, and be
imagined that it agreed with his spirits.
Time went on, and liking for strong drink
increased end grew stronger, until at all
hours he might be seen staggering out OF the
RAINBOW dizzy and stupefed With the dregs
Of the Intoxicating cup.
Toms was a very bad case, for he belong-
ed to respectable family, and he had been
religiously trained, and until he had been
drawn into the snare, be was an aifectionate
son and brother; friends counselled, and
ministers preached, and every means was
tried to reclaim hin, hut all effort seemed
lost-Tom was bound hard and fast in the
invisible chains of the mocker- His famil-
mourned him as lost, and many a silent tear
his sister let fall on bis tattered garments as
she sat patching and darning them.
Tom was infatuated, all agreed, but for all
that be was faVorite, from the mansion to
the mean hut in Airlie; and some good peo-
pie prayed for poor Tom Hall.
Sab, these rents will not darn again -
sighed Jennie, as she turned over Toms rag
ged raiment.
In Toms better days be had pride, and it
was sad change when he didn't care who
saw him "out at the elbows"
But somehow Jennie could not find it in
her heart TO abandon the brother she still
Owed; and so Toms tattered habilIiments
were taken up again, and made the most Of.
"Kinaness may win him back" said Jen-
ME, and when he came home at the worst be
was met with peace, if in SORROW.
Just as the trees were beginning to bud
with the promise OF spring, Tom came home
locking thoughtful. lie was sober after a
long run.
10 the last rays Of the setting sun, as his
sister was trying to cover some darns, Tom
sat down beside ner, and silently watch ed
the patient fingers for some time.
That's tiresome work, Jennie" be said.
His sister held up her seam before him.
"What! that is bunch Of rags" laughed
Tom.
"Yes, Tom, and bunch Of rags would be
the best sign-board that a publican could
hang across bis 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,p but didn't
60 in.
"Hallo what's up with Tom Halls' won
dered Sinclair, as be filled up . glass Of
Toms favorite whisky for another customer
at the counter.
Sinclair was not the only one that was as
tonishsd at the change.
Every day Tom went to his work every
night he came home sober, and after short
time he began to appear at the church on
the Sabbath. Then people began to think
that Tom was really in earnest and meant to
reform.
"The angel came at LAST whispered Flor
ence, and bright drop fell on Dicks golden
hair. fen8f
'Had Tom Hall really become a teeto-
taleE," wondered Sinlair, when q whole
month had passed without a visit to the
Rainbow" F kFFe
SWell, it seems 80, for nothing stron ger
than water has passed his lbs, in the
shape Of drink since the night when bis
sister showed him the bunch Of raes. x g
"I'll have a talk with Tom, and learn
how be got of the scent, though" Sinclair
resolved. 80
An opportunity came sooner than he sx.
pected. $50
Ia the early part Of TIE summer !. ter
rifc thunder storm passed ovsg lAislis, and
amongst the general devastation the @Rain-
hoW'R signb0afd was literally shivered into
Rtome. eoff rrtraergA -fk
Tom happened to Be passing the "Rair-
bow pexkmgruipE, md stDppsd 70 glance
up at the old mark
ssFina wcik bAfa.ss remarked Mr.. sindaslr,
who vas standI II he door. THE atormsp
done Tor u, and I'm hiFs ID go . new sign
board.v ass e $50 =
sEsIt &c bad se that - said Ieh. =
AsYes. the HainheMs b n s6lfegl,p aald
- 9AFlA14s .-ssss