Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-10-31
~TRANsIENT BILLs-oAsH.


forward and grasping his hand, .'are you in
earnest! Is it really the old Tom ?"
''1ts what's left of him, sir, and we'll have
him whole and strong very soon if you'll only
put him to work"
Work ?"-Aye, Tom, and bless you, too
There's an engine to be set up and tested
but it was not perfect There were mistakes
he had to correct, aud it was late in the eyen-
ing when the work was complete
''HOw is it, Tom Z" asked Mr.. Scott, as ho
came into the testing house, and found tho
workmcn ready to depart.
Shes all right, sir; You may give your
warrant without fear"
"GOd bless you, Tom You don't know
how like sweet music the old voico sounds
Will you take your old place again Pr
WAIT till Monday morning, sir. If YOU
offer it to me then, l will take it,"
At the little cottage Ellen DArcy's Auttcr-
ing heart was sinking. That morning, after
Tom had como she had found a two>dollar
bank>nOte in the coffee, cap. Sho knew he
had left it for her She had been out aud
bought tea, and sugar, and -four, and butter
and bit of tender steak, and all day long
ray of light had been dancing and shimmer-
ing before her-n ray from the blessed light
of other days. With prayer and hope she
went down, and no Tom came. Eight
o'clock aud almost nina. Oh! was it but
false gmmer, after all?
HaCk Tho old quick, step, eager for
homo. Ycs-it was Tom, with tho old grimo
upon his hands and the odor of oil upon his
garments.
81 have kept you waiting Nellie"
''Tom ~
81 didn't mean to, but tho work hung on"
shop ?"
,'Yos-and I am to have tho old place,
and"
40, Tom! :"
And sho threw her arms around his neck,
and covered his face with kisses.
"Ncllie, darling, wait little while, and
you shall have tho old Tom back again."
ooh, Tom, I've got him now-bless him
bless him My own Tom my husband -
my darling"
And then Tom Darcy realized tho full
power and blessing of womnn's love.
1t was n banquet of the gods, was that sup.
Per-ot all tho household gods all restorcd-
with the bright angels of peace, aud love, and
JOY spreading their wings over tho board
On the following Monday morning Tom
Darcy assumed his old place ut tho head of
No o. '~'''"S ''''I NhA h'io"' "hO AlOA-
oughly knew him had no fear of his going
back into tho slough and tho joylcssucss.
a few days later Tom met Peter Tindar on
the street
"Eh Tom, old boy, what's up!
81 am up,-TiJht side up ?"
Yes-a-I sec. But l hopo you haven't
forsnken US, Tom
I'uvV f,r suN5U UuiJ Vitu evil yuu iTUiu In
store, Peter. The fact is, concluded my
wife aud little ones Ind fed on husks about
long enough, and if there was a good kernel
left in my heart, or in my manhood, they
should have it."
''Ah,-you heard what 1 said to my wifo
that night :"
"Yes, Peter and 1 shall be grateful to you
for it as long as live. Ny remembrance of
you will a!waps be relieved by that tiugo of
warmth and brightness"
And Peter Tindar went homo and mcdita-
ted. Somehow he did not feel quite lko
holding up his head ns he met his fellow
men. If he had thought that Tom Darcy
might fall back, he was mistaken. Tho hand
of God had been in that work, and one of
Gods own chosen ungels-R true and loving
wife-was helper aud sustainer.