The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-11-05
TON, TopcrIy.

LON loperiy was the VerlcSC So
in all the world. He had been .
great many things besides topper,
but had always been topper since he
was twelve years DID,, and he was
now twenty five. n.;. .,. ..
Tom had been ''passcd through
iall the temperance orders and socie-
ties that had sprang up in the neigh
borhood, and he came out as much
of sot as when he went in. F..
He was bachelor, perhaps be-
cause he had not been sober long en-
ough to seek out wife, perhaps he
was so much Of . locomotive demi-
john, that no sane woman.could have
been found foolish enough to 'link
her fate with his. ~
Tom had arrived at an era in his
"cvcntful life'' when he was too
shiftless to. work even for, gin, his
favorito beverage, and he then began
to think that the poor-Lousc would
have to shelter him, when one night
he miraculously disappeared. He
was so we'll known around the town
that everybody missed him, and there
was a general inquiry as to his mys-
terious fate, but no tidings came.
1t was tho fifth day after his disap-
pearance that Tom ''turned up" on
the steps Of q tarvern, about ten
miles distant from the town Of his
nativity. He was pcnniless, and the
landlord just turned him out Of doors.
He was as sober as he had ever been
in his life. A man in rough farm
er's coat saw him, and tapping him
on the shoulder, said :a.I.ys ~s,yt.
What are you doing here, say
man." pfglrt g.Irrrf.T}
"Walting for some one to ask me
to drink ;nsaybee you're the chap
was Tom answer.
The rough-looking man smiled and
replied r,,,..,.,.
"You look as if you had taken
enough in you life." :...., ..,.r.......
I'm awful dry /; haven't had a drop
to-day" said Tom, with wocful
face. $50 ~ .. 1884,. '. ''..'.
If will find you as much as you
can drink, will yon go with NE 2" in
quired the gentleman. ..,
Eyes, and stay with you," an
swercd Tom "till the stock is out"
springing with some show of agility
to his feet. .... .............. -.
"Get into my wagon, the','' sal |
the gentleman.
"With pleasure, SIR" said Tom,
as he clambered into the farmer S
wagon before the tavern.
Tom was driven five miles into the
country a1d was set down in q
farm-yard, abounding with fowl and
cattle. ''@ ''s ''''
"This is our home, SIR said his
new kind friend.
Tom thought it queer place to
get as much as he could, drink, but
didn't veGtdro to remark, The
gentleman led the way to handsome
stone house, gave Tom seat in the
porch, and ordered boy to bring a
pail of water, ''i'- ''"1% "'ss H.
"Help YOURSELF" said the gentle
man. ''It is good, and you will stay
with me q long time before you drink
the spring dry .
Tom thought his~frichd was face
tious. He chueklcd q littls and
ventured to say" but the liquor !"
what liquor p returned the
gentleman, as if he was astonished
''There is none about my premises. I"
"But you told me if l went with
you I should have all l could drink. -
$50 you shall-the spring never
gets dry, and the dairy is large"
"I'm not used to it, >
II know that.well, = returned the
farmer, "but I mean you shall be.
Come, well not dispute now; sup
per is ready"
Ten was not unwilling to try a
good supper, and as night was COM
ing on ard he wanted place to lay
his head, he did not care to sccld
about the trick that had been played
upon him.
When he was ready to go to bed
the gentleman conducted him to, a
neat room, and bidding him, good
night locked the door. In tho morn