Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-25
OLD TOM GOES DOWN.
A Venerable Psuper Makes an Affecting
Scene At the District Building.

please, sir, can I get permit for the poor
house?' said quavering voice at the railing in
DIR. Tindalls room this morning. The speaker
was gray.headed man upward of seventy five
years OF age. He Was accompanied by . friend
about the same age. but apparently in better
circumstances. 'what is it you are after2''
asked STAR reporter, as the two stood silently
together. Il sm after permit to go to the
poor house." replied the old man. Me and
Bill! has been friends since boys and more like
brothers than anything else. I struggled hard
to keep out Of the poor house, but luck is agin
me and will have to go, although it almost
breaks my heart to leave Bill here. You see,
Bill has sort of cousin in town to look after
him, but poor me"-and the old mans voice
faltered-'I amt got no one to look out for my
welfare. But it was not always like this, said
the old man, brushing away a tear.
WOMAN AND WHISKY.
II remember the time when was happy
and when loving children played around my
knee; but that was before the war. They are
all gone nov, died before they were grown,
and guess it Was better so, for my wife got
tired of me and ran away with a soldier in 62
and left me sick with the smallpox. You see
my downfall is the same old story, told over
and over again. Take my advice. young man,
and don't pin your faith to women They are
as false and as tickle as the weather-one mo-
ment they are all sunshine and the next like a
tornado. There is another thing almost as
bad as a woman. and that is whisky. l was a
temperance man until after my wife left me-
and then l struck n snag, called whisky, which
sent me down the hill ut such a rapid gait
that l did not stop until I had
reached the bottom. You see what 1 anl-an
save Bill here. Well, must be off, So taking
the permit and folding it carefully he and
Bill slowly descended the stairs. Outside the
scene was affecting. The two old men-part-
ners since children-were about to be separa-
ted, and as they grasped each others hands
tears fell from their eyes, "Good-by, Tom"
said Bill, patting the old man on the back II
will be over to see you as often as kin, and
one o these days may be my folks II die and
leave me their money. You will be the first
one. Tom, to know about it," With feeble steps
Tom moved away while Bill stood watching
him until he disappeared around the corner.
OLD BILLS LAMENT.
Those who witnessed this strange parting
wondered if the day would ever come when
Bill and Tom would be united. As old Bill
moved away The STAR reporter accosted him.
80 your partner has left you?" said the re-
porter. Eyes; he is gone. was the reply, land
tell you, sir, l feel as though one-half of my
heart had gone with him. You see l have
knowed Tom upward of sixty years and during
that time we never had falling out. Tom
and me courted the same gal once, but Tom
was handsomer than was them DAYS and was
rs fine looking man as you ever sot eyes on.
So he won her. Well, in course, grieved at
the time, but didn't blame Tom He won her
fair and square. l remained single and am
blessed glad did cause women is frauds. But
there, suppose am firing you with the story
OF my life; it amt worth it, so, good by. God
bless you. May you never live to see the day
when you and your best friend has to part