Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-22
Only n IIusk.

have been all right if his head and his will
had been right, but these things being
wrong, the whole machine was going to the
bad very fast.
Tom had lost his place as foreman of the
great machine shop, and what money he now
earned came from odd jobs of tinkerine
which he was only 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 OF
clean watch as well as he could set up and
regulate steam engine, and this latter he
could do better than any other man ever
employed by the Scott Falls Manufacturing
Company.
One day Tom had 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 part had become 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 exhilarat-
ing 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. lie 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 to the bar
room to see what kept her husband up, and
she quickly saw Tom.
"Peter," said she, not in pleasant mode,
"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
the calling OF his name stung his senses to
keen attention. He had an insatiate love
of rum, but did not love the landlord In
other years Peter Tindar and himself had
loved and wooed the same sweet maiden
Ellen Goss-and he won her, leaving Peter
to take up with the vinegary spinster who
had brought him the tavern, and Tom knew
that lately the tapster had gloated over the
misery of the woman who had once discarded
him.
"Why don't you send him home ?" de-
manded Mrs. Tindar, with an impatient
stamp of her foot.
Hush, Betsy He's got money. Let
him be, and he'll be sure to spend it before
he goes home. I'll have the kernel of that
nut, and his wife may have the husk p
With sniff and snap, Betsy turned
away, and shortly afterward Tom Darcy
lifted himself up on his elbow.
"Ah, Tom, are you awake ?"
eyes"
=" Then rouse up and have a warm glass"
Tom got up on his feet and steadied him
self. "No; won't drink more tonight"
And with this he went out into the chill
air of midnight When he got away from
the shadow 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 Tindar is taking the kerr
mel and leaving poor Ellen the worthless
husk--a husk worse than worthless and
am helping him to do it. | am robbing nv
wife of joy, my children of honor and com.
fort, and myself of love and life-just that
Peter Tindar may have the kernel and Ellen
the husk. Wen see"
1t was a revelation to the man. The tav-
ern-keeper's speech, meant not for his ears,
had come to his senses as fell the voice of
the Risen One upon Saul of Tarsus.
swell see" he said setting his foot
firmly on the ground, then he wendell his
way homeward.
On the following morning he said 10 his
wife; Ellen, have you any coffee in the
house ?"
"Yes, Tom" She did not tell him that
her sister had given it to her. She was glad
to have him ask for coffee instead of the
old, old cider
81 wish you would make me cup good
and strong"
There was really music in Toms voice,
and the wife set about her work with hut-
ter at her heart.
Tom drank two cups of the strong, fra
grant coffee and then went out-went
straight to the great mandatory, where he
found Mr.. Scott in his office.
Mr.. Scott, | want to learn my trade
over again.
Eth, Tom what do you mean p
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, starting
forward and grasping his hand, 4" are you in
earnest? Is 1T really the old Tom 2"
"lt'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, too.
There's 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 skill.
full supervision the engine was set up and
tested; but 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 ?" asked Mr.. Scott,
as he came into the testing room and found
the workmen getting ready to depart
She's all right, sir. You may give your
warrant without fear"
"God bless you, Tom You don't know
how like sweet music the old voice sounds
viii you take your place again 2"
"Wait till Monday morning, sir. If YOU
offer it to me then, will take it."
AT the little cottage Ellen Darcy's fiutter
ing heart was sinking. That morning, after
Tom had gone, she had found dollar bill
in the coffee cup. She knew that he left it
for her. She had been out and bought
tea and sugar, and -four and butter and a
bit OF tender steak and all day long 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 oclock-almost nine.
Hark The old step quick, strong, and
eager for home. Yes, it was Tom, with the
old CRIME upon his hands, and the odor of
oil upon his garments.
:" have kept you waiting, Nellie"
"Tom I"
81 didn't mean to do it, but the work hung
on So"
"Tom Tom You have been to the old
shopl"
eyes, and I'm bound to have the old
place, and"
"Oh, Toni"
And she threw her arms around his neck
and covered his face with kisses.
"Nellie, darling, wait a little, and you
shall have the old Tom back again"
"Oh, Tom I've got him back now, my
own Tom my husband"
And then Tom Darcy realized the full
power and blessing of a womans love.
1t was banquet of the gods, was that
supper-of the household gods all restored
with the angels of peace and love and Joy
spreading their wings over the board.
On the following Monday morning Tom
Darcy assumed his place at the head Of the
great machine shop, and those who thor
oughly knew him had no fear Of his going
back into the slough of joylessness.
few days later, Tom met Peter Tindar
on the street.
"Eh, Tom, old boy, what's up 2"
81 am up, right side up"
" Yes, see but | hope you haven't for.
saken US, Tom 7"