The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-06-29
ONLY HUSK.

bad very fast, though there were times when
the heart felt some of its own truthful
yearings.
Tom had lost his place as foreman of the
great machine shop, and what money he
earned came from the odd jobs of tinkering
which he was only able 70 do here and there
at private houses; for Tom was a genius as
well as a mechanic; and when. his head was
steady enough, he could mend a clock or
clean a watch as we'll as he could set up and
regulate a steam engine, and the latter he
could do better than any other man ever
employed by the Scott Fall Manufacturing
Company.
One day Tom had a job to mend a broken
moving machine and 8 reaper, for which he
received So, and the following day he started
out for his old haunt, the village tavern. He
knew that his wife sorely needed the money,
and that his two little children were in abso-
lutte suffering for want of clothing, and that
morning he held a debate with the better
part Of himself, but the better part had be-
come weak and shaky, and the demon of ap-
petite carried the day.
So away to the tavern Tom went, where
for two or three hours he felt the exhilirat-
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. He 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 q pleasant mood,
"why don't you send that miserable Tom
Darcy home? He's been hanging around
here long enough"
Toms stupetaction 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 i~nsatiate love of
rum, but he did not love the landlord. In
other years Peter Tindar and himself had
loved and woed the same 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 lac gloated over the
misery of the woman who had once discard
ed him.
"Why don't you send him homer" de-
manded Mrs. Tindar with IN impatient
stamp of her foot.
"Hush, Betsyl He's got money Let him
be, and he'll be sure to spent it before he
goes home. I'll have the kernel ofthat nut,
IL LIS WIG udy HdNo IA AuSh4
With a sniff and a snap Betsy turned
away, and shortly afterwsrd Tom Darcy
lifted himself up on his elbow.
"Ah, Tom, are you AXE
. ayes"
''Then rouse up and have a warm glass"
Tom got up on his feet and steadied him
self. "No; l won't drink any more to-
night"
And with this he went out into the chill
air of midnight. When he got away from
the shadow OF tho tavern. he stopped and
looked up to the stars and then he looked
down upon the earth.
aye" he muttereo, 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 my
wife Of ioy, 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. Well seel"
1t was a revelation to the man. The tav-
ern keepers speech, meant not for his ears,
had come on his senses as fell the voice of
the Risen One upon Saul of Tarsus.
well seel" he said, setting his foot
firmly on the ground; then he wendell his
way homeward.
On the following morning he said TO his
wife: "Ellen, have you any coffee IN the
house2"
eyes, Tom" She did not tell him that
her sister had given it to her. She was glad
to have him ash for coffee instead of the old
cider.
81 wish you would make me s cup good
and strong"
There was really music in Toms voice,
and tie wife set about her wor1 with q aut-
ter at her heart.
Tom drank two cups of the strong, fra
grant coffee, and then went out%went
straight to the great munufactory, where he
found Mr.. Scott in his Office.
Nj Scott, 1 want to learn my trade over
again."
"Eh, Toni what do you mean2"
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, "are you in
~earnest7 It is really the old Tom2"
ats what's left of him, sir, n we'll
have him whole and strong very soon, if
you'll set him 20 work
"Workl 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 skillful
supervision the engine was set up and tested;
but it was not perfect. There were mis-
takes which he had to correct, and it was
late in the evening when the work was
complete.
"How is it now Tomr'' 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, Toni You don't know
how like sweet music the old voice sounds
Will you take your place sgain2"
await till Monday morning, sir. If
fer it to me then, 1 will take it."
At the little cottage Ellen Darcy's futter
ing heart was sinking. That moraing
after Tom had gone, she had found a dollar
bill in the coffee cup. She knew that be
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
a ray of light had been dancing and SHIN
mering before her-a ray from the blessed
light Of other days. With prayer and hope
she had set out tbs tea-table and waited.
But the sun vent down and no Tom came.
8 o'clock-almost 8.
HsrkI The old ssepl quick, strong, and