The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-03-23

| crowded thoroughfares people were hast
ening home, Cheered by the memory of
the loving faces which would welcome
them at the end of their journey, and
which made home home to them.
CHAPTER II.
1t was not with any of these pleasure
able feelings that Tom Parkins turned his
face homeward; indeed, the nearer he ap-
preached his own neighbOrhood, the
heavier grew the frown upon his brow.
"Ivc borne it as long as | can-what's
the good of toiling and saving? may
just as well spend a bit of money on my
SELF" were his thoughts.
Just at this moment he came to tavern,
the bright light from which shone full on
his gloomy face. Three men were going
in at the door, but one Of them catching
sight of Tom, stepped back, and grasped
him warmly by the hand, as he said:
"Wen, old fellow-itis you! thought
l couldn't be mistaken"
Then as the other two men came up,
hearty greetings were exchanged all
round.
"There's no reason for us to stand out
in this fog" said the first speaker;
"we're just going in to knock about the
balls bit, and to have glass-you'll
make one of us, Parkins, won't you2"
The other two Joined in with,
Come now, do; yes, you must-you
are not going to get off In that way"
Tom hesitated and said no, he could
not, for he must get home to his wife; but
as he spoke the miserable picture of his
comfortless home rose before him; and as
he glanced at the half open door of the
tavern the light and warmth seemed to en-
courage him to yield to the wishes of his
tempters.
Come now, dol Never mind about the
wife; she can spare you for an hour or
two"
"Oh, yes; she can spare me well
enough!'' replied Tom, with some bitter
ness.
well, then, what's to prevent you
having a game or two at bagatelle-got
something about you l dare say that you
would like to double" And the speaker
gave a knowing look at his companions,
whilst Tom answered openly:
Yes, I've my weeks wages, but |
should be more afraid of losing it instead
of doubling it.'
He spoke very firmly, and at the same
time held out his hand, and wished his
empters good night; but they had no
intention of letting their prey slip through
their fingers, and they renewed their
persuasions that he should make one of
them.
Tom wavcred, and he began to argue
with himself.
"If l do go in this once, I'm not
obliged to become drinking man, and
surely the tavern will be more comforta-
bic than my untldy homew
But speaking aloud, he said:
"Well, at any rate, home | must go
first, and if come back | shall be with
you in half an hour"
Better come at once!'
"No, | must go home tirst.'
Tom was kind hearted man, and as
long as he was in his sober senses he
would remain so; his only reason for
going home was to let his wife know of
his whereabouts, for, being foggy night,
he thought she would be uneasy about
him.
But this night Tom Parkins, without
knowing it, is on the edge of precipice.
The evening that he thinks of spending
will be "in the counsel of the ungodly,"
and among the scornful." Not that he
thinks thus ofthe companions from whom
he has just parted-he tries to persuade
himself that they are his friends. Yet
Tom Parkins cannot think himself into a
comfortable state of mind; playing with
edged tools is always dangerous! and so
many find to their cost.
Another quarter Lf an hour has passed
since Mrs. Parkins looked out at her
door, and her mind is getting seriously
uneasy.
The unused teathings are still on the
table; but the blaze has died out, and
Mrs. Parkins begins almost to give up
her idea of waiting tea for her husband ;
| for she is afraid that the children, who
are, as yet, wonderfully good, will get
| fractious if kept longer without their ac-
customed meal.
But hark! and she hastens to the door,
and listens moment to make quite sure
yes, she knows the step, and before Tom
Parkins can knock, his anxious wife
stands at the open door to receive him.
! But he enters not.
"Don't stand in the fog, Jane-1'm
not coming in! I'm going to spend an
hour or two with some friends tonight
so you needn't be uneasy if Pm bit
late," he says, before she can speak a
word.
Mrs. Parkins' heart sinks, as she sees all
her little plan of surprise falling through,
and her voice is full Of disappointment as
she says:
"Oh, Tom! you would be better at
home on such a night as this.
1t flashed into her husbands mind that
so he might if his home were anything
like a home; but he only says, little i'm
patiently:
There, make haste out of the fogp
Turning on his heel, he was making of
without even a look at the comfortable
room that had been made ready for him
but just then the Goals in the CRATE gave o
grand crackle, and up sprang bright
flame making such an illumination, and
showing Mrs. Parkins' trim figure off to
such advantage, that her husband stood
for half a second, in speechless amaze
ment.