The Van Buren press., 1870-05-03
10 the Rainbo ".

To the RAINBOW.
Well, it seemed so, for nothing
stronger than water had passed his lip
in the shape of drink since the night whel
his sister had shown him the bunch 0
rags.
I'm have talk with Tom and learr
how he got off the scent, though" Sin
clair resolved. An opportunity came
sooner than he expected.
In the beginning Of the summer a ter
rife thunder storm passed over African
among the general devastation the Rain
bows sign board was shivered to atoms
Tom happened to be passing the Rain
bow the next morning, and stopped to
take glance up at the old mark.
"Fine work here" remarked Mr.. SIM
clair. who was standing in his door; "tht
storms done for us and I'll have to gel
new sign board"
"Is it SO bad as all that?' said Tom
"Yes, the Rainbow is in shivers,
said Mr. Sinclair.
"Thcn you'll want new sign board, "
said Tom.
"Of course isn't that what Tn telling
your"
lis it to be the Rainbow again p
asked Tom.
Il suppose so" answered Mr. Sinclair,
" unless you can give US new idea,
Tom," continued he laughingly.
Il think can," said Tom, "but |
must go home first"
Don't forget, though" said Mr.. Sin
clair; you're a stranger now days,
by-the by, Tom"
81 won't be long" cried Tom, and
with brisk step he walked down the
street.
"Halloa, Tom, what's your hurry 2"
cried friend, as Tom came up against a
corner
"Oh, Sinclair's sign board was destroy
ed last night. and I'm going to present
him with new one," answered Tom.
with a " smile," which was diametricaily
opposed to his old principles.
"Oh, ho, that's it, resumed his old
friend F" but perhaps 1t would be as we'll
for Arlie if the Rainbow was never put
up again"
Tom was out of hearing.
A better sign than the Rainbow"
Mr.. Sinclair did not expect to get; he
was only joking with Tom Hall, and he
raised bis eyebrows when Tom made his
appearance with a bundle under his arm,
and requested him to look at the new
sign boaLd.
/ didn't think you would catch me
up; but step in Tom, and let me see your
idea v
Tom gravely united the bundle and
held up bunch Of rags before the pub
leans astonished eyes.
What do you mean, Tom 2 asked
Mr.. Sinclair. feeling confident that Tom
:" ASK y6urse1r, srr,u puuvu ,.ase
is not the best sign a publican can hang
across his doorY' said Tom, and his lips
quivered.
"Was it that bunch Of rags that made
YOU a teetotaler, Tom p said Mr. Sinclair,
more confused than he liked to own
cit was, through Gods means, think
Sir" answered Tom, " and perhaps poor
wretches seeing there the end of drink,
may bless you for that sign board.
Tom walked away to his work and Mr.,
Sinclair went back to his counter, but all
day the bunch Of rags troubled him lie
was a kind hearted man, and believed
himself christian, and he did not like
the idea of being considered the cause OF
rags. TO man Of his disposition it was
painful in the extreme he coul INT help
feeling when poor shivering, ragged
wretches came in and laid down the price
of glass. When he lifted their money
he felt as if he was stealing their means.
1t was busy day; every new conner
was more deplorably wrctched than the
last served lie was very thankful when
night came.
The last conner was woman literally
hanging in tatters. A little child on her
arm 1t was crying with the cold. 1t
lifted the rag that covered its naked
limbs, and looked piteously at him.
"Go home and put clothes upon your
poor child,' said Mr.. Sinclair, hinging
back the money that the poor woman
laid down. .-
Il have nothing but rags" said the
woman.
Tom is right said Mr.. Sinclair, as
he locked the door, the end of drink is
misery and rags, and the man who has a
taste for that sort Of thing may put his
name on the new sign board"
The same summer Mr.. Sinclair went
into the tea tlade, in which he made q
handsome fortune. Tom Hall is now a
famous engineer.
How TO Kill. WEST PoiNT.--The New
a. NJ, D,,la, ni