The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-07-24
MISCELLANY.
Only a Husk.
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anu VIII nau only DceH Ilguli DuJ these
being wrong the whole machine was go
ing to the bad very fast, though there
were times when the heart felt something
of its old true yearning Tom had lost
his place as foreman in the great mach
inc shop. and what money he now earn
ed came from odd jobs of tinkerins
which he was able to do, here and there,
at private houses; for Tom was genius
as well as a mechanic, and when his head
WAS steady enough he could mend clock
or clean watch, as we'll as he could Sc,
up and regulate steap eng,ne-a AND
this latter he could do better than an,
other other man ever employed By. tha
Scott Falls Manufacturing Company.
One day Tom had a job to mend a
broken moving mahcine and reaper. for
which he received five dollars: and on
the following morning be started out
to his old village tavern. He knew that
his wife sadly needed tho money, and
that his two little children were in absol.
ute suffering from want Of clothing, 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 h urs, he felt
the exhilerating effects o: the alcoholic
draught. and fancied himself happy, as
he could sing and laugh; but, as usual,
stupertaction followed, and the man died
out. He drank while he could stand,
and then lay down in a 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, ia no pleasant mood
"why don't you send that miserable Tom
Darcy home? He's been hanging
around here too long now
Toms senses were not sound asleep
The dead coma had left his brain, and
the calling Of his name stung him to keen
attention. He had an insane love for
rum, but did not love the landlord. In
other years Peter Tmdar and himself had
loved and wooed the same maideH-E
len Goss-and he had won her, leaving
Peter to take up with the yinegary spin
ster who had brought him the tavern ;
and he knew that lately the tapster had
gloated over the misery Of the woman
who had once discarded him
why don't you sendshim home? de.
manded Mrs. Tindar, with a stamp of the
foot
.LIneb, BETSY. He's got money. Leu
him be, and he'll be sure to spend it be-
fore he goes home, I'll have the kernel
of the nut, aud his wife may have the
husk ~
With a sniff and snap Betsy turned
away, and shortly after3ard Tom Oar
cey raised himself ON his elbow.
"Ah, Tom, are you awake"'
YES"
Then rouse up and have nice warm
glass"
mo, Peter, l won't drink any more to.
night"
at won't hunt you, Tom-just small
glass;
II know it won'tr' said Tom, button
ing up his coat by the only solitary but
ton left II know it WON'T
And with this hc went out into the
chill air of midnight, When he had got
away from the shdow 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 Tirdar is taking the
kernel, and leaving poor Ellen the worth.
less husk--a husk more than worthless
and am helping him to do it. lam rob.
bine my wife of joy, robbing my children
of honor and comfort, robbing myself Of
love and ife-just that Peter Tindar may
have the kernel and Ellen the husk
Well secm
1t was a revelation to the man. The
tavern-keeper's brief speech, intended
not for his ears. had come upon his sen
SEES as fell the voice of the Risen One UP
on Saul of Tarsus.
"We'll see,' he replied, setting his
foot firmly upon the ground; and then
he wenteu his way homeward
On the following morning he said to
his wife:
ELLEN, have you any coffee in the
house p
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 me a cup,
good and strong"
There was really music In Toms voice,
a a., r. al, h.
strange fiutter at her heart -...
Tom drank two cups of the strong, fra
grant coffee, and then went out-went
out with resolute step, and walked
straight To the great mandatory, where
he found Mr.. Scott, in the office.
"Mr Scott, | want to learn my trade
over again p
"Eh, Tom, what do you mean"
II mean that it's Tom Darcy, come
back to the old place, asking forgiveness
for the past, aud hoping to do better in
the future
Tom" cried the manufacturer, start
ing forward and grasping his hand, "are
you in carnest5 Is it really the old
Tumy"
'It's what's left of him, sir, and wei
have him whole aud strong very soon if
you'll only set him at work.
Work! Aye. Tom, and bless you,
too There's an engine to be set up and
tested to day. Come with me-