The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-04-18
OUR STORY TELLER.
ONLY A HUSK.


Tom Darcy, yet a young man, had
grown TO be a very hard one. AT heart
he might have been all right if his head
and his will had been all right; but
these being wrong, the whole machine
was going to the bad very fast though
there were times when the heart felt
something of its own truthful yearnings.
Tom had lost his place as foreman of the
great machine shop, and what money he
now earned came from odd jobs of
tinkering which he was able to do here
and there at private houses; for Tom was
a genius as well as mechanic, and when
his head was steady enough he could
mend clock or clean watch as well as
he could set up and regulate a steam en-
gine-and this latter he could do better
than any other man ever employed
by the Scott Falls Manufacturing Com
pany.
One day Tom had a job to mend
broken 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
money, and that his two little children
were in absolute suffering for want Of
clothing, and that morning he held a
debate with the better part of himself;
but the better 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
draught, and fancied himself happy, as
he could sing and laugh; but as usual,
stupefaction 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 quickly saw Tom.
"Peter," she said, not in pleasant
mood, "why don't you send that misera-
BILE Tom Darcy home? He's been hang
ing around here long enough"
Toms stupefaction was not sound
sleep. The dead coma had left his brain,
and the calling of his name stung his
senses to keep attention. He had an in
sane love of rum, but did not love the
landlord. In other years Peter Tindar
and himself had loved and wooed the
sweet maiden-Ellen Goss-and he won
her, leaving Peter to take up with the
vinegary spinster who had brought him
the tavern, and he knew that lately
the tapster had gloated over the misery
Of the woman that had once discarded
him.
Why don't you send him home W de-
manded Mrs. Tindar, with an impatient
stamp Of the foot.
Hush, Betsyl He's got money. Let
him be, and he'll be sure to spend it be-
fore he goes home. Pll have the kernel OF
that nut and his wife may have the
huskT'
With a sniff and snap Betsy turned
away, and shortly afterward Tom Darcy
lifted himself up on his elbow.
"Ah, Tom, are you awaken
eyes"
"Then rouse up and have warn
glass"
Tom got upon his feet and steadiet
himself.
"No, Peter, I won't drink any NOR
tonight"
at won't hurt you, Tom-just oil
glass"
at know it won'tp' said Tom button
ing up his coat by the solitary buttol
left. al know it won't"
And with this he went out into tn
chill air Of midnight. When he got ava
from the shadow of the tavern, b
stopped and looked up at the star
and then he looked down upon tn
earth.
"Aye," he muttered grinding his het
in gravel, "Peter Tindar is taking th
kernel and leaving poor Ellen th
worthless husk- husk more tina
worthless and am helping him to it.
am robhing my wife of Joy, robbing m
dear children Of honor and comfort, an
robbing myself of love and life-ju
that Peter Tindar may have the kern
and Ellen the huskl Well see p
1t was revelation to the man. tt
tavern-keeper's speech, meant not f'
his ears, had come on his senses as fe
the voice Of the Risen One upon Sa
Of Tarsus.
"we'll seep' he said, setting his TO
firmly upon the ground; and then
wended his way homeward.
On the following morning he said
his wife: Ellen, have you any coff
in the houseP
eyes, Tom" She did not tell hi
that her sister had given it to her. s.
was glad to hear him ask for coffee,
gead of the old, old cider.
"I wish you would make me Gu
good and strong"
There was really music in Ton
voice, and the wife set about h
work with a strange futter at b
heart.
Tom drank two cups of the strong, Fl
grant coffee, and then went out-we
out with resolute step, and walk
straight to the great manufactory, ,wht
he found Mr.. Scott in his office.
"Mr. Scott, 1 want to learn my ira
over again." -..
"Eh, Toni what do you meanT'
al mean that it's Tom Darcy CO
back to the old place, asking forgiven
for the past, and hoping to do better
the future.p a..-as
"Tom," cried the manufactur
starting forward and grasping his ha
care you in earnest? Is it really
old TomT
cts what's left of him,
and we'll have him whole and strc
very soon, if you'll only set him
work"
"Workl Aye, Tom, and bless y
tool There is an engine to be set up {
tested to-day. Come with me-"
Toms hands were weak and unstea
but his brain was clear, and under
skillful supervision the engine was
up and tested: but it was not peri
Thara u,ara voiatakas which ha haf