The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-09-08
ONLY A HUSK.

but these things being wrong, the whole
machine was going to the bad very
fast, though there wcro times when
the heart felt something Of its own
truthful ycarnings. Tom had lost his
place as foreman Of great machine
shop, and what money no now earned
came from odd jobs Of tinkcring which
10 was able to do here and there at
private houses; for Tom was u genius
as we'll as q mechanic, and when bis
head was steady enough 10 could mend
clock or clean watch as we'll as hc
could set up and regulate steam en-
gine-aud this latter no could do bet
ter than any other man ever employed
by the Scott Falls Manufacturing Com.
pany.
Ono day Tom had a job to mend o
broken mowiug-machiuc and reaper, for
which hC received s.; aud OF tho fol.
lowing morning no started out for bis
old haunt-thc village tavern. lie
knew that his wife sadly needed the
money, and that his two little children
werc in absolute suffering from want Of
clothing, and that morning he held q
debate with the better part Of himself,
but the better part had become very
weak and ghaky, and tho demon ofap-
petite carried the day.
So away to the tavern Tom went,
where. for two or three hours, he fclt
tho cxbilarating effects Of the ole oholic
draught. aud faucicd himself as happy,
he could sing aud laugh but as usual,
stupefaetion followed and tho man died
out. Flo drank while no could stand,
and then lay down in corner, whore
his companion left him.
1t was late ut night. almost midnight,
when tho landlords wife c,mo into the
bar-room to SEQ what kept hOr husband
up, and she quickly saw Tom.
"pescr," said she. not in pleasant
mood. "shy dou't you send tina. miscr.
able Tom Darcy home, he's been hang
ing around hero long enough 2"
Toms stupcfactiOn was not sound
asleep. Tho dead coma had left his
brain aud tho calling of his name stung
his senses to Keen attention. Hc had an
insane lore Of rum, but did not love the
landlord. In other years Potter Tiudar
and himself la loved and woocd the
sweet mathematician Goss-anl he
won her, leaving Peter to take up with
tho viucgury spinstcr who had brought
him The tavern, and no knew that lato.
ly the tapstcr had gloatci over tho mis-.
cry of the woman who had once dis.
cardcd him.
"Why don't you send him home ?"
demanded Mrs. Tindar with IN impa.
ticnt stamp Of the foot.
flush, Betsy! He's got money.
Let him DO and hell DO sure to spend it
before he goes home. III have the
kernel Of that nut and his wife may
have the husk."
With sniff a nd a snap Betsy turned
away, and shortly afIcrward Tom OAR
cy lifted himself upon his elbow.
"Ah, Tom, are you awaken
eyes"
"Thcn rouse up and have warm
glass"
TOm got upon his feet and steadied
himself.
"No, Potter, l wont drink any more
tonight"
at won't hurt you, TOn-just ono
glass"
al know it won't" said Tom button
ing up bis coat by the solitary button
left. 81 know it won't"
And with this he went out Into tho
chill air Of midnight. When hc had
got into tho shadow Of tho tavern, hc
stopped and looked up at tho stars, and
then ho looked down upon tho earth.
"Ayc," he Muttcrcd, grinding his
heel in tho gravel, "Pcter Tindur is
taking tho kernel and leaving poor FL
leu tho worthless husk-a husk more
than worthless! and I mn helping him
to do it. am robbiug my wife ofjOy,
rObbing my dear children Of honor and
comfort, aud robbiug myself Of love
aud lifc-just that Peter Tindar may
have tho kernel and Ellen tho husk !!
Wen sec"
1t was a revelation to the man. The
tavern keepers speech, meant not for
bis cars, had come upon his senses as
fell tho voice Of tho RiscE Ono upon