The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-04-06
Why, that's bunch of rags laugh.

GU \ O1u.
C Yes. Tom; and a bunch of rag
h would be the best sign that q publ
can could hang across his door,, sal
y Jennie, sadly. g -.. .-.-.
# Tom made no reply; he looked q
the rags In silence.
e Mex, day Tom went back to his la
e Dor and continued SO for two or thre.
e weeks He looked at the Rainbow,
but didn't go in.
l Halo! what UP with Tom Hall
wondered Sinclair, as he filed up
glass, with Toms favorite whisky to,
, another customer at the counter.
). Sinclair was not the only one thai
was nstonished at the change. Every
day Tom went to his swerk; every nigh
he came home sober; and after time
he appeared at church on the Sabbath
Then people began to think Tom was
in earnest and meant to reform.
The angels come at last, whispered
Florance, and bright drop fell on
Dicks golden hair.
Had Tom Hall really become a tee.
totaler? wondered Sinclair, when a
whole month had passed without WIS.,
it to the Rainbow
Well, it seemed so, for nothing
stronger than water. had passed his
lips in the shape of drink since the
night when his sister had shown him
the bunch of rags. go
i'Pll have talk with Tom and learn
hew he got OFF the scent, though"
Sinclair resolved. An opportunity
came sooner than he expected "
In the beginning of the summer a
terrific thunder storm passed over Ar
lie, and among the general devasta-
tions the 'Rainbow's' signboard was
shivered to atoms.
Tom happened to be passing the
Rainbow the next morning, and
stopped to take glance up at the old
mark. r.
Fine work here remarked Mr..
Sinclair, who was standing in his
door the storms done for us, and
Pll have to get n new signboard.'
is it so bad rs that p said Tom.
Yes, the Rainbow is in shlvers,'
said Mr.. Sinclair. ........r ed.
Then you'll want a new sign-board,
said Tom.
OF course isn't that what I'm
telling you p a.-...t ...
is it to be the Rainbow again?
asked Tom. ....- ....-.-. .-
Il suppose SO, answered Mr.. Sin
clair, unless you can give us new
idea, Tom," continued he laughingly.
4 Think 1 can,' said Tom, "but I
must 90 home first
Don't forget though said Mr..
Sinclair !; you're stranger nova
day, bye-the-bye, Tom
1T won't be long cried Tom, and
with brisk step down the street.
'Halloa, Tom, what's your hurry?'
cried friend, as Tom came up against
a corner.
'Oh, Sinclair's sign-board was de-
stroyed last night, and Pm going to
present him with SMILE which was
diametrically opposed to his old prin-
ciples.
'Oh, no, that's it, resumed his old
friend but perhaps it would be as
well for Arlie if the Rainbow was
never put up again.
Tom was out OF heariug.
A better sign than the"Bainbow,'
Mr.. Sinclair did not expect to get; he
was only joking with Tom Hall, and
he raised his eyebrows when Tom ap-
peared with bundle under his arm,
and requested him to look at the new
sign-board.
/ didn't think you would catch me
up; but step in Tom, and let me see
your idea
Tom gravcly united the bundle and
held up a bunch of rags before the
oublican's astonished eyes. f5
What do yoa mean, Tom? asked
Mr.. Sinclair, feeling confident that
Tom had lost his senses. ra.-
Ask yourself, sir, if Bunch of
Rags is not the best sign publican
AN hang across his door? SAID Tom
md his lips quivered. - s.t II
WAS it that bunch of rags that
made YOU teetotaler, Tom? said Mr.. i
Sinclair, more confused than he liked {
, own. r.'r st l
1t was through Gods means, be- t
ieve, sir. answered Tom, 'and perhaps i
,osr wIetches seeing there the end of '
lrink, may bless you Tor that sign
Tom walked away to his work and ,
DR.. Sinclair went back to his counter, f
'ut all day the bunch of rags troubled r
i'm. He was kind hearted man, c
nd believed himself christian, and
e did not like the idea of being con- l.
idercd the cause of rags. To a man n
f his disposition it was painful in the t
xtreme he couldn't help feeling when a
oor, shivering, ragged, wretches came s.
n and laid down the price of a glass. f
When he lifted their money he felt as a
he was stealing their means. VI
1t was busy day; every new COM C
r was more deplorably wretched than is
ne last served He was thankful at o
he approach of night. L
The last conner was woman literal "
: hanging in tatters. A little child
n her arm. 1t was crying wit. the O
old. 1t lifted the rag that covered a.
Is naked limbs, and looked pi.eously b
t him. f;
go home and put clothes upon your d
oor child said Mr.. Sinclair, finging IL
ack the money that the poor woman el
i'd down. - -4- v
Il have nothing but rags, said the Il
oman. a
"Tom is right" said Mr.. Sinclair, t,
5 he locked the door, "the end OF Il
rink is misery and rags, and the man 81
,ho has taste for that sort of thing o
lay put his name on the new sign is
oard. -.fa. JOSS p
The same summer Mr.. Sinclair c,