The Republican journal., 1876-12-21
Only the Husk.
A LEE SKErCu

he might have been all right if his head
aud his will had only been right; but,
these being wrong, the whole machine
was going to the bad very fast, though
there were times when the heart felt
something of its old truthful yearning.
Tom had lost his place as foreman in the
great machine shop, and what money he
now earned came from odd jobs of tinker
ing which he was able to do. here and
there, at private houses; for Tom was
genius as well as a mechanic, and when
his hand was steady enough he could
mend Il clock, or clean a watch, as well
AS he could set up and regulate a steam
engine-and this latter he could do better
than any other man ever employed by the
Scott Falls Manufacturing Company.
One day Tom had lob to mend up
broken moving machine and reaper, for
which he received five dollars. and on the
following morning he started out for his
old haunt-the village tavern He knew
that his wife sadly needed money. and
that his two little children We're in abso-
late suffering from want of clothing; and
on this morning he held debate with
part had become very weak and shaky,
and the demon OF appetite carried the
cay.
SO away to the tavern Tom went,
where, for two or three hours, he felt
the exhiiaratirg effects of the alcoholic
draughts, and tancied himself happy, as
he could sing and laugh; but, as usual,
stupefac.ion followed, and the man part
died ont. He drank while he could stand,
and then lay down in a corner. where his
companions left him.
1t was late ut night-almost midnight
when the landlords wife came into the
barroom to see what kept her husband
up-and she quickly saw.
Peter" she said. not in pleasant
mood, why don't you send that miser
erable Tom Darcy home? He's been
hanging round here long enough
Toms stupetacton was not sound sleep.
The dead coma had left his brain, and the
calling of his name strung his senses to
keen attention. He had an insane love Of
rum, but he did not love the landlord
In other years Peter Tindar and himself
had loved and wooed the same sweet
maiden - Ellen Goss-and he won her,
| leaving Peter to take up with the vine
gary spinster who had brought him the
tavern, and he knew that lately the tap
ster had gloated over the misery of the
woman who had once discarded him.
'Why don't you send him home?' de-
manded Mrs Tindar, with an impatient
stamp OF the foot
Hush, Betsey. He's got more money.
Let him be. and he'll be sure to spend it
before he goes home. III have the kernel
of the nut, and his wife may have the
husk =
With sniff and Il snap Betsey turned
away, and shortly atterward Tom Darc}
lifted himself up upon his elbow
| 'Ah, Tom, are you awake"
YES"
Then rose up and have warm glass
Tom got upon his feet and steadled HIM
self
mo, Peter--l won't drink any more TO-
night"
1T won't hurt you, Tom-ust a glass
Il know it won't said Tom, buttoning
up his coat by the solitary button lett. II
-know-it-wontr' "
And with this he went out into the chill
air of midnight. When he had got away
from the shadow of the tavern. he stopped
and looked up at the stars, and then he
! looked down upon the earth.
AYE" he muttered, grinding his heel
in the gravel, Peter Tindar is taking the
kernel, and leaving TO poor Ellen the
worthless husk-a husk worse than worse
less and | am helping him to do it
am robbing my wife OF ioy-robbing my
children of honor and comtort-robbing
myself of love and light-.lust that Peter
Tindar may have the kernel and Ellen the
| husk Well see."
| 1t was a revelation to the man. The
tavern keepers brief speech, meant not
! for his ears, had come upon his senses as
| fell the voice of the Risen One upon Saul
of Yarsus.
"Well see - he replied, setting his foot
| firmly upon the ground and then he
wended his way homeward.
| On the following morning he said to his
wife
ELLEN, have you any coffee IN the
house ?n
| Yes. Tom She did not tell him that
her sister had given it to her. She was
glad to hear him ask for coffee. instead of
old, old cider.
Il wish YOU would make me cup,
strong, and good"
There was really music IN Tons voice.
and the vile set about the WORK with a
strange tlutter at her heart.
Tom drank two cups Of the strong. fra
grant coffee, and then went out-Went out
with a resolute step, and walked raight
TO the great manutactory where he found
Mr.. Scott in the office.
| Mr. Scott, want to learn my trade
over again"
"Eh-Tom what do you mean ?"
mann hat it'S Ton, tlaraV nona hact,
to the old place, asking forgiveness for the
past, and hoping to do better in the flu
turen
"Tom - cried the manufacturer, start
ing forward and grasping his hand care
you in earnest? Is it really the Old Tom ?"
''lts what's left Of him, sir, and Well
have him whole and strong very soon if
you'll only set him at work"
"Work? Aye Tom, and bless you, too I!
There's an engine to be set up and tested
| to-day. Come with me-"
| Toms hands were weak and unsteady,
| but his brain was clear, and under his
skillful supervision the engine WAS set up
and tested; but it was not perfect. There
were mistakes which he had to correct
and it was late in the evening when the
work was complete
| "How is 1t now, IOm?" asked Mr. Scott
AS he came into the testing house, and
found the workmen 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 voice sounds.
viii you take your place again?
wait till Monday morning, sir. If you
offer it to me then, | will take it."
At the little cottage Ellen Darcy's tlut-
tering heart was sinking. That morning
after Tom had gone, she had found a two
dollar note in the coffee cup. She knew
he had left it for her, She had been out
and bought tea and sugar, and flour and
butter and a bit OF tender steak and all
day long a ray of light had been dancing
and shimmering before her-a ray from
the blessed light of other days. With
prayer and hope she had set out the tea
table and waited, but the sun went down