The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-04-30
That Bunch of Rags.

Everybody liked Tom Hall, and eve
'ybody was sorry for him. It was sad
o see such fine young man victim to
Drunkenness, and Tom had fallen into the
nocker's power unwittingly, it seemed
A new spirit shop had been opened
close on to the foundry at which he work
ID, and he, along with others, was in the
habit of going in for a glass of ale.
W hen the cold weather set in he took
something stronger, and he imagined
that spirits agreed with him. Tom went t
on, aud the liking for strong drink in
creased and grew stronger, until at all |
hours he might be seen staggering out Of
the "Rainbow," dizzy and stupefed with |
the drugs of the Intoxicating cup.
Toms was very sad case, for he be-
longed to a very respectable family, and
had been religiously trained, and until
he was drawn into the snare he was an
affectionate son and brother, and friends
counseled and ministers preached, and
every means were 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 him as lost, and many a silent
tear his sister let fall on his tattered gar
ments as she sat darning and patching
them.
Tom was infatuated, all agreed but
for all that he was favorite, from the
mansion to the meanest hut in Airlie,
and some good people prayed for poor
Tom Hall.
"Ah. these rents will not darn again.
sighed Jennie, as she turned over Toms
ragged raiment
In Toms better days he had pride,
and it was a sad change when he didn't
care who saw him ''out at the elbow"
But somehow Jennie could not find it
in her heart to abandon the brother she
still loved, and SO Toms tattered habili-
ments were taken up again and made
the most of.
"Kinaness may win him back" said
Jennie, and when he came home at the
worse he was met IN peace, it in sorrow.
Just when the trees were beginning to
bud with the promise of spring, Tom
came home looking thoughtful. He was
sober after long run.
In the last rays of the setting sun his
sister was trying to cover some cid darns.
Tom sat down beside her, and silently
watched the patient fingers for some time.
"That's tiresome work, Jennie" he
said.
His sister held up her seam before
him.
ssWhy, that is a bunch of rags"
laughed Tom:
| would be the best signboard that pub
lican could hang across his door," said
Jennie, 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 the "Rainbow," but did
not 60 in.
"Hallo what's up with Tom Hall 2''
wondered Sinclair, as he filled up glass
of Toms favorite whisky for another
customer at the counter.
Sinclair was not the only one who was
astonished at the change.
Every day Tom went to his work ev-
cry night he came home sober, and after
a time he appeared at church on the
Sabbath. Then people began to believe
Tom was in earnest, and really meant to
reform
"Has Tom Hall really become a teeto
taller 2" wondered Sinclair, when a whole
month had passed without visit to the
Rainbow" Well, it seemed so, fol
nothing stronger than water had passed
his lips in the shape of drink since that
night on which his sister had shown him
4 the bunch of rags. I'll have talk with
Tom and learn how he got off the scent
though" Sinclair resolved.
oouo coapar fhap hf
Expected. In the beginning Of the sum
mer terrific thunderstorm passed ovel
Airlie, and among a general devastation
Sinclair's signboard was shivered tt
atoms.
Tom happened to be passing the Grain
bow" next morning, and stopped to glanc'
up at the old mark.
"Fine work here" remarked Mr.. Sin
clair, who was standing in his door; "th
storms done for US, and I'll have to ge
new signboard."
els it so bad as that ?" said Tom.
eyes, the Rainbow is in shivers,
said Mr.. Sinclair.
'.Then you'll want new signboard,
} said Tom
"Of course; isn't that what I'm telling
you %
eIs it to be the Rainbow again !?
asked Tom.
81 suppose SO" answered Mr.. Sinclair
! ssunless you can give new idea, Tom,
continued he laughing.
81 think I can," returned Tom ''bu
I must go home first"
+ Don't forget, though" said Mr.. Sin
r clair. "You're a stranger, nowadays
. by the by, Tom.'
: ssI won't be long," cried Tom, an
i with brisk step he walked down th
street
j "Hallo, Tom, what's your hurry ?
! cried friend, as Tom came slap agains
corner.
, aOh! Sinclair's signboard was destro,
ed last night, and I am going to hil
with new one" answered Tom, with
. smile, which was diametrically oppose
: to his new principles.
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