Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-21

bing myself of love and life-just tina
Peter Tindar may have the kernel ant
Ellen the husk Wen see !"
II was revelation to the man. TIL,
tavern keepers brief speech, meant no
for his ears, had come upon his senses a
fell the voice of the Risen One upol
Saul of Tarsus.
Gwen see," he replied, setting hi
foot firmly upon the ground and thel
he wended his way homeward.
On the following morning he said tc
his wife:
"Ellen, have you any coffee in the
house ?"
"Yes, Tom." She did not tell him
that her sister had given it to her. She
was glad to hear him ask for coffee in
stead of the old, old cider.
81 wish you would make cup, good
and strong"
There was really music in Toms voice,
and the wife set about the work with q
strange futter in her heart.
Tom drank two cups of the strong,
fragran. coffee, and then went out went
out with resolute step, and walked
straight to the great manufactory, where
he found Mr.. Scott in the Office.
"Mr. Scott, / want to learn my trade
over again"
"Eh, Tom What do You mean"
81 mean that it's Tom Darcy, 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 grasping his hand,
care you in earnest? Is it really the
old Tom?"
"It's 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 IN 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 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 warrant without fear"
"God bless you, Tom You don't
know how like sweet music the old
voice sounds. Will you take your place
again 7"
"Wait till Monday morning, sir. If
you will offer it to me then, I will
take it"
At the little cottage Ellen Darcey's
fluttering 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 flour and butter, and bit of tender
steak; and all day long ray Of light 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-table and waited, but the sun
went down and no Tom came. Eight
o'clock-and almost nine. Oh, Vas it
but 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.
=" I have kept You waiting, Nellie"
"Tom p
81 didn't mean to, but the work hung
on"
"Tom, Tom. You have been to the
old shop
Eyes, 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 banquet of the gods, was that
the household gods all re-
the bright angels of peace
and love and joy spreading their wings
over the board.
On the following Monday morning,
Tom Darcy assumed his place at the
head of the great machine shop, and
those who thoroughly knew him had no
fear of his going back in the slough and
ioylessness.
A few days later Tom met Peter
Tindar on the street.
"Eh, Tom, old boy, what's up?" .
81 am upright side up"
"Yes-I see. But 1 hope you haven't
us, Tom?"
81 have forsaken only the evil you
have in store, Peter. The fact is, con-
cluded my wife and little ones had fed on
husks long enough, and if there was a
kernel left in my heart, or in my man.
hood, they should have it."
"Ah, you heard what 1 said to my
wife that night? %
eyes, Peter; and shall be grateful /
to you for it as long as I live. My I
of you will always be re-
lieved by that tinge of warmth and
A New Gold Coin.