Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-11-09
ONLY A HUSK.

had gone to the bad very fast, though
there were times when the heart felt
something of it's own truthful yearnings.
Tom had lost his place as foreman of
the great machine shop, and what money
he earned now came from odd jobs of
tinkering which he was able to do here
and there at private houses, for Tom
was genius as well as mechanic, and
when his hand was steady enough he
could mend a clock or clean 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 en-
ployed by the Scott Falls Manufacture
ing Company.
One day Tom had a job to mend a bro
ken 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 the mo-
ney, and that his two little children were
in absolute suffering from want of cloth
ing, and that morning he held a debate
with the better part of himself, but the
better part had become very weak and
shaky, and the demon of appetite carried
the day.
So away to the tavern Tom went,
where. for two or three hours he felt
the exhilarating effects of the alcoholic
draughts, and fancied himself happy, as
he could sing and laugh; but, as usual,
stupifcation followed and the man died
out. He drank while he could stand
and then lay down in corner, where
his companions left him.
1t was late at night, almost midnight,
when the landlords wife came into the
bar-room to see what kept her husband
up, and she quickly saw Tom.
Peter" said she, not in very pleasant
mood, why don't you send that misera-
bic Tom Darcy home? He's been hang
ing around here long enough
Toms stupification was not sound
sleep. The dead coma had left his brain,
and the calling Of his name had stung
his senses to keen attention. He had an
insane love of rum but did not love the
landlord. In other years Peter Tindar
and himself had loved and wooed sweet
maiden-Ellen Goss-and he won her,
leaving Peter to take up with the vine
gary spinster who brought him the tav-
ern, and he knew that lately the tapster
gloated over the misery of the woman
who once discarded him.
"Why don't you send him home?
demanded Mrs. Tindar, with an mpa-
tient stamp Of her foot
Hush, Betsey! He's got the money.
Let him be, and he'll be sure and spend
it before he goes home III have the
kernal of that nut and his wife may
have the husk! "
With sniff and a snap Betsey turned
away, and shortly afterwards Tom Dar-
cy lifted himself upon his elbow.
'Ah. Tom, are you awake?
"Yes."
Then rouse up and have warm
glass
Tom got upon his feet and steadied
himself.
"No, Peter, l won't drink any more
tonight.
at won't hurt you, Tom-just one
glass
Il know it won't" said Tom, button
ing up his coat by the solitary button
left. II know it won't"
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 poor Ellen the
worthless husk-a husk more than
worthless-and [ am helping him to do
it. l am robbing my wife OF joy. rob-
bing my dear children of love and life
Just that Peter Tindar may have the
kernel and Ellen the husk. We shall
see.'
1t was revelation to the man. The
tavern-keepers speech, meant not for
his ears, had come upon his senses as
fell the voice of the Risen One upon
Saul of Tarsus.
well see!" he said 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?"
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 the
old, old cider.
81 wish you would make me cup,
good and strong.
There was really music in Tom voice
and the wife set about her work with a
strange futter at her heart.
Tom drank two cups OF the strong,
fragrant coffee, and then went out
went out with resolute step, and walk
ed straight to the great manufactory
where he found Mr.. Scott in his Of
fice
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, and hoping to do
better in the future"
"TOm!" cried the manufacturer, start
ing forward and grasping his hand, ARE
you in earnest? Is it really the old
Tom?"
"It's what's left of him. sir; and well
have him whole and sound very soon, il
you'll only set him at work"
WOrK! aye, LON, anu piesS you, too
There is an engine to be set up and test
ed to-day. Come with me-
Toms hands were weak and unsteady
but his brain was clear, and under his
skillful supervision the engine was sci
up and tested But it was not perfect
there were mistakes which he had tC
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 de
part.
She's all right, sir. You may give
your warrant without fear"
"God bless you, Tom! You don,
know how like sweet music the old voice
sounds. Will you come and take YOU
place again .
"Wait till Monday, sir. 1t you vii
offer it to me then, | will take it.
At the little cottage Ellen Darcy
| Autterine heart was sinking That morn