Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-11-03
Tsmpsraufe.
THE BUNCH oFRAas.

see such fine young man victim t
drunkenness, and Tom had fallen int
the mocker's power unwittingly,
seems. #nla
A new spirit shop had been opene,
close on the foundry at which he work
ed, and he, along with others, was il
the habit fgoing in for glass of ale
When the cold weather set in he tool
something stronger, and he imagined
that spirits agreed with him. Tom wen
on, and the liking for strong drink in
creased and drew stronger, until at al
hours he might be seen staggering ou
of the Rainbow" dizzy and stupifiee
with the drugs ofthe intoxicating cup
g Toms was very sad case, for he be
longed to a very respectable family, ,aLC
until he was drawn into the snare ht
was an affectionate son and brother, ,anC
friends counseled and ministers preach
ed and every means were tried to re
claim him, but all effort seemed lost
Tom was bound hard and fast in the in.
visible chains of the mocker. His fam.
lily mourned him as lost, and many a
silent tear his sister let fall on his tat.
tered garments as she sat darning and
patching them. .- ...,..-. f-e
Tom was infatuated, all agreed; but
for allthat he was favorite, from the
mansion to the meanest hut in Airlie,
and some good people prayed for poor
Tom Hall. ss fFE.e -.-. f1 2
.Ah, these rents will not darn agaiD.''
sighed JEANNE, as she turned over
TOMS ragged raiment. .+a- -.is ..,s.-
I In Toms bet;er days he had pride,
and itwas sad change when he didn't
care who saw him "out at the elbow"
r. But somehow Jennie could not find it
in her heart to abandon the brother she
still loved, AID so Toms tattered habili-
ments were taken up again and made
the mostof. eo44s -.r...t.i.. ..-.. q.
Kindness may win him back ,n said
Jennie, and when he came home at the
worse he was met in peace, if IN sorrow.
Just when the trees were beginning
to bud with the promise of Spring, Tom
came home looking thoughtful. He was
sober after a long run. .... -.
/, In the last rays of the setting sun his
sister was trying to cover some old
darns. 'tF" a Hs rl,
Tom sat down beside her, and silently
watched the patient fingers for some
time. su8 sd 1oi=HioE.H rll 'if1r r
4'"That's tiresome work, Jennie" ne
said. '7ie
.Why, that is bunch ofrags" laugh
ed Tom. -5o et laa5 e.is.is lslL ar.s ita
A."Yes, Tom; and bunch ofrags would
be the best signboard that a publican
could hang across his door, said Jen-
ME, sadly. g.. lE-sriI -7 srsI..
Tom made no reply; he looked at the
rags in silence.
4 Next morning Tom went back to his
work, and continued steady for two or
three weeks.
He looked in the Rainbow" but
didn't go in. ..i. ..-.~'.s.-.' ...,
Halo! what's up with Tom Hall ?"
wondered Sinclair, as he filled up a
glass Of Toms favorite whisky for an
other customer at the counter
Sinclair was not the only one who
was astonished at the change. -" .ii'l
Every day Tom went to his work;
every night he came home sober, and
after time he appeared at church on
the Sabbath. Then people began to be-
lieve Tom was in earnest, and really
meant to reform.
HAS Tom Hall really become tee
totaler?" wondered Sinclair, when
whole month had passed without a
visit to the Rainbow" Well, it SEEM
ed so, for nothing stronger than water
had passed his lips in the shape of drink
since that night on which his sister had
shown him the 1unch ofrags. ''Iill have
q talk with Tom and Learn how he got
off the scent, though" Sinclair resolved.
An opportunity came sooner than he
In the beginning of Summer
a terrific thunderstorm passed over Air
lie and among a general devastation,
Sinclair's siguboard was shivered to
atoms. .s..s.
Tom happened to be passing the
Rainbow" next, and stopped to glarce
up at the old mark. -, M s--
"Fine work here" remarked Mr..
Sinclair, who was standing in his dooI;
"the storms done for US, and L II have to
get new signboard." 5.tTa
"Is it so bad as thatw said Tom
"Yss, the Rainbow is in shiyers,"
said Mr.. Sinclair.
"Then you'll want new signboard,"
said Tom.
"Ofcourse; isn't that what I'm telling
you?"
SIS it to be the Rainbow again ?"
asked Tom.
81 suppose So" answered Mr.. Sim
clair, "uniess you can give new idea,
Tom," continued he, laughing.
81 think can," returned Tom; "but
1 must go home first"
Don't forget, though" said Mr.. Sin
clair. "You're stranger, nowadays,
by the by; Tom"
''I won't be long," cried Tom. and
with brisk step he walked down the
street.
"Hallo, Tom, what's your hurry?"
cried friend, as Tom came slap against
. corner.
"Oh! Sinclair's signbosrd was de-
stroyed last night, and I am going to
present him with new ons," answered
Tom, with smile, which was diametri-