The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-07-17
'Ellen have you any coffee in tS

81 wish you would make me q cup,
good and strong"
There was really music in Toms voice,
and the wife set about the work with
strange futter 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 manufactory, where he found
Mr.. Scott In the Office.
"Mr. Scott, l want to learn my trade
over again"
"En, Tom What do you meanf'
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 start.
ing forward and grasping his hand, "are
you in earnest? Is it really the old
Tom2"
"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 tao!
There is an 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
we're 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 workman ready to depart.
"She's all right, sir. You may give
your warrant without fear"
"God bless you, Tom You don'tknow
how like sweet music the old voice sounds.
Will you take your place again?"
"Wait till Monday morning, sir. If
you will offer it to me then, l will take
it,"
At the little cottage Ellen Darcey's fut-
tering heart was sinking, That morning,
after Tom had gone, she had found two
dollar bill in the 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 a ray of light had been dancing
and shimmering before her-a ray from
the blessed light of other days. With
prayer and hope she had set out the
tea table, and waited, but the sun went
down and no Tom came. Eight o'clock
and almost nine. Oh, was it but false
glimmer after all
Hark The old step quick, strong,
eager for home. Yes, it was Tom, with
the old CRIME upon his hands, and the
odor of oil upon his garments.
81 have kept you waiting, Nellie.'
"Tom !"
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
ooh, Tom -
And she threw her arms around his
neck and covered his face with kisses.
'Nellie, darling, wait little, and you
Q shall have the old Tom back again"
"Oh, Tom, I've got him now-bless
9 him bless him! My own Tom! my hus
a band, my darling!'
9 And then Tom Darcy realized the full
q power and blessing of woman's love.
9 1t was banquet of the gods, was tina
9 supper-of the household gods all restored
with the bright angels of peace and love
= and joy spreading their wings over tn
t board.
On the following Monday morning
t Tom Darcey assumed his place at the hea'
= of the great machine shop, and those VIII
4 thoroughly knew him had no fear of hi
@ going back into the slough and joyless
ness.
4 A few days later Tom met Peter linda
v on the street.
"Eh Tom, old boy, what's up!'
81 am upright side up"
"Yes-l see. But hope you haven
~ forsaken US. Tom ?"
81 have forsaken only the evil you hav
!. in store, Peter. The fact is, l conclude
my wife and little ones had fed on husk
- long enough, and if there was good kel
mel left in my heart, or in my manhood
a they should have it,
"Ah, you heard what l said to my viii
y that night?"
"Yes, Peter; and I shall be grateful
Il you for it as long as I live. My remen
:, branee of you will always be relieved b
II that tinge of warmth and brightness"