The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-09-17
Only a Husk.

Tom Darcy. young man, had grown
to be very hard one At heart he might
have been all right, if his head and will
had only been 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 old
truthful warnings. Tom had lost his
place in 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. -.
One day Tom had job to mend
broken moving machine and reaper for
which he received five dollars, and on the
following morning lie 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 alb
solute suffering from want of clothing,
and that morning he held a debate with
the better part of himself; but the ether
part had become very weak and shaky,
and the demon of Appetite carried the
day. -# a.~.-... aug . III 49,
1t was late at night, almost midnight,
the landlords wife came into the bar.
room to see what kept her husband up.
and she quickly saw Tom. s.-sergzsa 49,.
Peter" said she, not in a pleasant
mood, "why don't you send that miser-
able 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
keen attention 80 III 81. ,-ssl.
why don'tyou send him home?" de-
manded Mrs. Tindar, with an impatient
stamp Of the foot. 81. -
FLUSH, Betsy! He's got money. Let
him be and -le' Il be sure &c. spend it be-,
fore he goes home. I'll have the kernel
of the nut, and his wife may have the
husk." @ @
With a sniff and snap Betsy turned
away, and shortly afterwards Tom Darcy
lifted himself upon his elbow. -
All, Tom, are You awaken" =.
eyes" ..-
"Then rouse up and have warm
glass;
Tom got upon his feet and steadied
himself.
No, Peter, won't drink any more to-
night.
II know it won't' said Tom, butloning
up his coat by the only solitary button
left. II know it WON'T
And with this he went out into the chill
air OF midnight. When he had got
away from the shadow of the tavern, he
stopped and looked up at the stars, and
then nc looked down upon the earth.
Aye" he multered, grinding his heel
IN the gravel, Peter Tindar is taking the
kernel, and leaving poor Ellen the worth
less husk-a husS more than worthless,
and helping him to do it. l am robbing
my children of honor and comfort. roI,
binS myself of love and life-just that
Peter Tindar may have the kernel and Ell
len the husk! Well see."
'We'll see!" he replied, setting his foot
firmly upon the ground, and then lie
wended his way homeward.
On the following morning he said to his
wife:
ELLEN, have you any coffee in the
"Yes, Tom She did not tell him that
her sister had gwen it to her. She was
glad to hear him ask for coffee instead of
the old, old cider. ....,.
u wish you would make me cup, good
and strong" -....T..s 80 i
Tom drank two cups of the strong,
fragrant coffee, and then went out-went
out with rcsolute step, and walked
straight to the great mandatory, where
he found Mr.. Scott in the office.
MIR: Scott, want to learn my trade ov
er again."
''EA, Tom! What do you mean?r
Il mean that's Tom Darcy come back
to the old place, asking forgiveness for
the past, and hoping to do better in the
future"
"Ton,," cried the manufacturer, starting
forward and grasping his hand. ''are YOU
i'll earnest? Is it really old Tom9'
Its what's left OF him, sir, and Wen
have him whole and strong very soon if
you'll only set him to work."
Work! Aye, Tom, and bless you too!
There is an engine to be set up 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; out it was not perfect. There
were mistakes which he had to correct,
and it was late in the evening when the
work was complete.
How is it, now, Tom?' enquired 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"
9 s''God bless you, Tom! You don't know
how like sweet music the old voice
sounds. Will you tqke your place back
agaln?' Is
i Wait till Monday morning, Sir. If YOU
will offer it 70 me then, viii take it,
Attic little cottage Ellen Darcey'a flut,
tering heart was sinking. That morning,
Nt1er Tan had ronn sie l,a 4 f1,,.,,.a : ~