Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-07-26

On the following morning he said to
his wife.
"Ellen. have you any coffee in the
house Z"
eyes, Tom" She did not tell him
that her sister had gwen II to her. She
was glad to hear him ask for coffee in
stead of the old. old cider.
II wish you would make cup. good
and strong
There was really music in Toms
voice, and the wife sea about the work
with q strange hutter in her heart.
Tom drank two cups Of the strong,
tfrsgrant coGee, and then wentcut-- --wenk
out with resolute step, and walked
straight to the great mandatory, where
he found Mr.. Scott in the ofsce.
"Mr. Scott, want to learn my trade
over again."
"Eh, Toni What do you mean.''
81 mean that it's Tom Darcey, come
back TO the old place. asking forgiveness
for the past, and hoping to do better in
the future"
'Tom !'' cried the manufacturer,
starting forward and srasping his hand,
"are You in earnest' Is it really the
old Tom -
"Ifs what's left of him, sir, and we'll
have him whole and strong very soon if
you'll only set him at work."
Work! Aye, Tom. and bless you,
too! There Is 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 il was late in the evening
when the work was complete.
"How is it now, Tom :" asked Mr..
Scott, as he came into the testing house
and found the workmen ready to depart.
She's all right. sir. You may give
your W rrsnt without fear"
"God bless you, Tom! You don't
know how like sweet music the old
voice sounds. Will you take your place
again."
"Wait till Monday morning, sir. IF
you will offer it to me then, | will take
it."
Al the little cottage Ellen Darcey's
huttering heart was sinking. That
morning, after Tom had gone, she had
found two-dollar bill in her coffee cup
She knew that he left it for her She
had been out and bought tea and sugar
and -four and butter, and bit Of tender
steak: and all day long ray oflight had
been dancing and skimming before her
"a ray from the blessed light of other
days. With prayer and hope she set
out the tea-!able and waited, but the sun
went down and no Tom came. Eight
O. o'clock-and almost nine. Oh, was II
bu. false glimmer after all,
Hark The old step! strong, eager
for home. Yes, it was Tom, with the
old CRIME upon his hands, and the odor
Of oil upon his garments.
81 have kept you waiting. Nellie"
"Tom!"
81 didn't mean to, but the work hung
on"
Tom, Tom. You have been to the
old shop"
"Yes, and I'm to have the old place,
and
"Oh, Tom"
And she threw her arms around his
neck and covered his face with kisses.
Nellie, darling. wait little, and you
shall have the old Tom back again"
"Oh. Tom. I've got him now--bless
him, bless him. My own Tom. My
husband, my darling"
And then Tom Darcy realized the
full power and blessing of woman's love.
1t was a banquet of the gods, was that
supper-of the household gods all re-
stored-with the bright angels of peace
and love and JOY spreading their wings
over the board.
On the following Monday morning,
Tom Darcy assumed bis place at the
head of the great machine shop, and
those who thoroughly knew him had no
tear Of his going back in the slough and
joylessness.
A few days later Tom met Peter Tin.
dar on the street.
"Eh. Tom, old boy. what's up:''
81 am upright side up"
"fes-I see. But hope you haven't
forsaken us, Tom -
IL have forsaken only the evil YOU
have in store. Peter. The fact is. con-
eluded my wife and little ones had fed
on husks long enough. and # there was
kernel left in my heart, or in my man.
hood, they should have it,"
"Ah, you heard what said to nv
wife that night
"Yes, Peter, and I shall be grateful
to you for it as long as live. NV
remembrance Of you will always be
relieved by that tinge of warmth and
brightness