The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1878-12-10
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Tom Darcy. . young man. had
grown to b . very hard ono. At
heart he might have bsen al right, Il
biz bed and vii: kad only been right,
but these being wrong the whole ma
chine wss going 70 the bad very East,
though there we're times when the
heart felt something Of it, old truthful
warnings. Tom had lnst his placs -
foreman in the great machine shop.
and what money be now earned came
from odd jobs Of tinkering which be
was able to do, here and there. at
private houses.
One day Tom had job to mend .
broken moving machine and reaper
for which be received Eve dollars. and
ON the following morning he started
out for his old haunt, the village
tavern. He knew that bis wife sadly
needed the money. and that his two
little children were in absolute suffering
from want Of clothing. and that
morning he held . 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.
1t Was late at night. almost mid.
night, when the landlords wife came
into the barroom to see what kept her
husband up, and she quickly saw
Tom.
Peter" said she. not in pleasant
mood. why don't you send that
miserable Tom Darcy home: He's
been hanging around here long
enough"
Toms stupefaction was not sound
sleep. The dead coma had left his
brain, and tho calling Of his name
stune his senses to keen attention.
"Why don't you send him home p
demanded Mrs. Tindar, with an impa.
tient stamp of the foot.
"Hush. Betsy! He's got money.
Let him be, he'll be sure to spend it
before he goes home. iii have the
Kernel for the nut, and his wife may
have the husk."
With . sniff and . snap Betsy
turned away. and shortly afterwards
Tom Darcy lifted himself upon his
elbow.
! "Ah. Tom. are you awake
"Yes."
"Then rouse up and have a warm
glass;"
Tom got up on his feet and steadied
himself.
mo. Peter: l won't drink any
more tonight"
1T won't hurt you. Tom-just one
glas."
Il know it won't :" said Tom, button
ing up bis coat BY the only solitary
button left 81 know it won't"
"And with this he went out into
the chill air Of midnight. When he
had got awav from the shadow Of the
tavern. he stopped and looked up at
the stars. and then be looked down
up0n 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 l am
helping him to do it. I am rebbing
my wife Of joy. rubbing my children
Of honor and comfort, rubbing myself
Of love and life-just that Peter
Tindar may have the kernel and Ellen
the husk! Well see!"
"We'll see!" he replied. setting his
foot firmly upon the ground, anu theo
he wended his way homeward.
On the following morning he said
to his wife:
ELLEN. have you any coffee in the
house!"
Eyes. 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.
II wish you would make me q cup.
good and strong"
Tom drank two cupe Of the strong.
fragrant coffee. and then went out
went out with . resolute step, and
walked straight to the great manufac-
tory. where he found Mr.. Scott in the
Office.
mir. Scott. I want to learn my
trade over again"
"Eh, Tom! What do you mean :"
IL mean that it's Tom Darcy come |
back to the old place, asking forgive
ness for the past, and hoping to do
better In the future"
TONI" cried the manufacturer.
starting forward and grasping his
hand, ''are you in earnest? Il it really
the old Tom :"
tits what's LETT of him. SIR. and
we'll have him whole and strong very
soon IL you'll only set him at work"
"Work Aye. Tom. and bless you
too! There l. IN engine to be set mp
and tested today. Come with me-"
Toms hands were weak and un.
steady, but his brain was clear, and
under bis skillful supervision the
engine was set up and tested; but it
sas not perfect. There were mistakes
which he had to coreect. and it was
ate in the evening when the work was
complete.
"How Is it, now. Tom :" inquired
|lr. Scott. % he came from the testingl
'ouse and found the. workmen ready
o depart.
"She's al right, cir. You may
i've your warrant without fear
''God bless you. Tom! You don't
now how like sweet music the old
dice sounds. Will you::take your
lace back sgain?"
wait till Monday morning. cir. II
on will Offer it to mo then. I will
Ike it."
At the little cottage Ellen DareeyS
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