The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-09-15
ONLY A HUSK.

NSStS IL "ISut hHtS oSSA eh Aibut J.
his head and will had been all right ;
but these things being wrong, the whole
machine was going to tho bad very
fast, though there wcrc times wher
the heart felt something Of its owl
truthful yoarniugs. Tom had lost bis
place as foreman Of great machine
shop, and what money he now earued
came from odd jobs Of tiukcring which
he was able to do here and there a
private houses; for Tom was a genius
as we'll as q mechanic, md when hi:
hcad was steady enough hc could mend
q clock or clean q watch as we'll as be
could set up and regulate steam en-
gine-and this latter hc could do bet
ter than any other man ever employed
by the Scott Falls Manufacturing Com.
pany.
One day Tom had a job TO mend q
broken mowiug-muchine and reaper, for
which he received So; aud OF the fol.
lowing morning ho started out for bis
old huuut-thc village tavern. Hc
knew that his wife sadly needed the
money, and that his two littlo children
wcre iD absolute suffering from want Of
clothing. and that morning hc held q
debate with tho better part Of himself,
but The better part had become very
weak aud shaky, and tho demon Ofap-
petite carried the day.
So away to the tavern Tom went,
where. for two or three hours, be fclt
tho cxbiluratiDg effects Of the ale oholic
draught, and fancicd himself Us happy,
he could sing aud laugh; but as usual,
stupefuction followed and the man died
out. He drank while he could stand,
and then lay down in q corner, whore
his companion left him.
1t was late at night, almost midnight,
when tho landlords wife came into the
bar-rOom to SEQ what kept hor husband
up. and she quickly saw Tom.
"pe.cr," said she. not in pleasant
mood, "Why dou't you send that niser-
able Tom Darcy home, he's been hang
ing around here long enough 7"
Toms stupcfactiOn was not sound
asleep. Tho dead coma had left bis
brain, aud tho calling Of his name stung
bis senses to keen attention. lie had an
insane love OF rum, but did not love the
landlord. Iu other years Peter Tiudar
and himself la loved and woocd tho
sweet maiden-Ellcn Goss-and he
won her, leaving Peter to take up with
the vincgary spiustcr who had brought
him the tavern, and he knew that lato-
ly tho tapster had glOatcd over the mis-
cry Of tho woman who had once dis.
carded him.
"Why don't sou send him home?"
demanded Mrs. Tindar with an impa.
ticnt stamp Of the foot.
Flush, Betsy! He's got money.
Let him be and hell DO sure to spend it
before he goes home. I'll havc the
kernel OF that nut aud his wife may
have the husk."
With sniff nd a snap Betsy turned
away, and shortly nlIcrward Tom Dor
cy lifted himself upon his elbow.
"Ah, Tom, are you awakc!"
"Yes."
"Thcn rouse up and have warm
glass"
TOm got upon his feet and stcalicd
himself.
"No, Peter, l won't drink any more
tonight"
at wont hurt you, TOm-just one
glass"
al know ii won't" said Tom button
ing up his coat by tho solitary button
left. "a know it won't"
And with this he went out into tho
chill air Of midnight. When he had
got into tho shadow Of tho tavern, he
stopped and looked up at tho stars, and
then he looked down upon tho earth.
"Aye," he muttcred, grinding his
heel in tho gravel, "Pcter Tindar is
taking tho kernel and leaving poor FL
leu tho worthless husk-a husk more
than worthless! and 1 an helping him
to DO it. I am robbipg my wife ofjOyr
rObbing my dear children Of honor and
comfort, aud roGbiug myself Of love
aud lifc-just that Peter Tindar may
have tho kernel and Ellen tho husk !.
Wen SEQ I"
1t was revelation to tho man. Tho
tavern keepers speech, meant not for