The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1868-06-02
MISCELLANY.
THE RUNCH OF RAGS.

see such II fine young man a victim to
drunkenness, and Tom had fallen into
the mocker's power unwittingy, it seems.
A new spirit shop had been opened
close TO the foundry at which he worked,
and he along with others was in the
habit Of going in for II glass oi alo. When
the cold weather act in, he took some
thing stronger, and he imagined that spir-
its agreed with him. Time went on and
the liking for strong drink increased and
grew stronger, until nj all hours he
might be seen staggering out ofthe Grain
bow" dizzy and stupefied with dregs of
the Intoxicating cup.
Toms was very sad case, for he be
longed 10 a very respectable family and
had been religiously trained, and until he
was drawn into the snare, lie was an al
fectionate son and brother and friends
counselled, and ministers preached, and
every means tried to reclaim him, but all
effort seemed lost-Tom was bound hard
and fast in the invisible chains OF the
mocker. HIS family mourned hin as
lost, and many silent tear his sister let
darning and patching them.
Tom was infatuated, all nereed, but
| for all that, he was a tnvorite, from the
mansion to the meanest hut IN Arlie, and
some good people prayed for poor Tom
Hall
All, theoe rents will not darn again :"
sighed Jeanie, ~ the turned over Tom-
ragged raiment.
In Toms better days he had pride, aud
1T was "A sad change wheA he didn't care
| who cav him cont AT the elbow
But somehow Jeanie could not find It
| in her heart TO abandon her brother she
sill loved, aud 10 Toms tatterel hablli-
ments were taken up again and made the
most Of.
''Kindness may win him back" said
Jeanie, and when he come home al the
worse he was mel in peace, If in sorrow
Just when the trees were beginning TO
bud with the promise of spring, lom
came home looking thoughtful Ilc wae
sober after n long run
In the last rays of the setting SIN lis
sister was trying to cover some old larns
Tom sat down beside her, and silently
watched the patient fingers for some time
"Thnt's lir-,omr work, Jeanic," he
said
His sister held up her Seam before
him.
why that ID - bunch Of rag '" laugh
Ell Tom
"Yes, Tom, and huncn OF rags would
be the best sgs board that publican
could hang across his door," said Jeanie
sadly.
Tom made no reply he looked at the
rags in silence
Next morning Tom went back To his
work, and continued steady for two or
three weeks
He looked in lke "kninhow," but did
not 60
"Hallo! what's up with Tom HAIL ''
wondered Sinclair, as he filled TAP glass
of Toms lavorte whiskey lor annlher
customer nj the counter.
Sinclair WAS not the only one who WAS
astonished Al lhe change
Every day Tom went to his work
every night he came home sober, anl
after II time he appeared AT church on
the Sabbath. Then people began Ia b-
lieve Tom was in earnest and really meant
to reform
"Has Tom Hall really become teeto-
taller ?" wondered Sinclair when whole
month had passed without visit to the
"Rainbow." Well, it seems 80 for moth.
ing stronger than water had passed his
lips in the shape Of drink since that night
on which his sister had shown him the
bunch OF rags "Fll have a talk with
Tom, and learn how he got of the scent
though" Sinclair resolved
An opportunity came sooner than he
expected In the beginning of summer a
thunder storm passed over Arlie. and
amongst a general devastation, Sinclairs
signboard was sbivered to atoms.
Tom happened to be passing the "Rain
bow" next morning and stopped TO glance
mp at the old mark
"Fine work kere." remarked Mr. SIN
clair, who was standing in his door, 'ihe
storms done for us, and I'll have to gel a
new signboard."
''is il so bad rs that 7" said Tom.
"Yes. The "Rainhow" IS in ahiyer-
said Mr.. Sinclair
Then you'll want a new sisnboard."
said Tom.
"Of course isn't that what I'm telling
you?"
ais il TO be the Rainbow again ?"
asked Tom.
81 suppose so," answered Mr. Sinclair,
''unless you can give new idea, Tom,
continued he, laughing
81 think ] can," returned Tom," but
! must go home first" "
"Don't forget, though, said Mr. Sin.
clair. "You're stranger, now days,
b. .the-by Tom"
II wont be long" cried Tom, and with
brisk step he walked down the street
"Hsllo, Tom, what's your hurry ?"
cried friend, as Tom came slap against
a corner.
80, Sinclair's signboard was destroyed
last night, and | am going TO HIM with
new one," answered Tom with smile,
which was Numerically opposed to his
new principles
30 no, that's IT," resumed his friend. "