New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-18
TOM HALLS CONTRIBUTION.

soreotion IL was A Ieci led success. Even had
Tom denied (which he did not-the daily and
NIGHTLY evidences he gave Of his conversion were
,ndisputable He resigned his position as DAY
Shift behind the bar Of the Golden faiace'
a seat was no longer kept for him at Don"van's
faro-tabcs and if he drank at all 1t must
have been but little. Moreover. when accuS'u
OF going to the little white church on the mn
on a certain Sunday in company with the young
LADY school teacher Of the town. he had turner
angrily upon his interlocutor and perunently
inquired III it was anybodys damn business
whether he did or not" 1t was no point
against the prevailing contention that Tom
had not Immediately dropped the emphatic YER
nacular Of his environment.
Now. Tom, II the truth we're known. had
never considered himself great sinner. and it
was doubtful if he filled with any pcni-
tence at all for his past life. In his converted
state he had resolved to DO and not TO do GER
tain things as to which Miss Dawson. the
teacher had very decided opinions. But Sc
crctly his private views morals were sun
rather broad and liberal. and he saw no par
tcular harm in taking a drink at proper IN
tervals gambling when the deal was fair and
otherwise partakng in moderate way 81 the
various enjoyments provided by the town IN
the sagebrush. In short, Tom was more con-
vertcd to Miss Dawson than he was to the
church But although the town wisely con
ciudel that the step taken was not altogether
devoid of wordness. it took a malicious de-
light in clothing him fguratvely in the garb OF
an anchOrte.
The church on the hill. was natural felt
proud Of its new member. but Miss Dawson
felt prouder. The young woman would indeed.
have been hypercrtical had she felt any cha
grin being accompanied by the young and
handsome neophytc.
One sunday the pastor announced that II was
very desirable that the church be provided with
. new organ. He proposed that the fund !or
this purpose be realized IN 4 way novel 10 that
locality at least. The members of the congre-
CATION were individually TO pledge themselves
TO raise money by the performance Of A service.
or by the manufacture or sale Of something in
expensive. and aftcrward the different accounts
OF the various experiences We're 10 be given.
which in itself promised considerable amGse-
ment.
Tom Hall went to his rooms and gave the
subject deep and profound consideration. He
vas not long in deciding in which direction Iay
the prospect + success FOR his best cnicayor.
The following night he astOnishcd tn play
ers Donovan's faro-tabi"s by walking into
the place and dropping into his I'D scat Ilr At
once bought 81, worth II r"d. white and blue
chips
"W-e-u," came from the amazed Dr Too,s
"Backslidin'" said jim Heflucr. the lookout
apparently to himself
Tom was seemingly oblivious to these ana
other remarks.
IN .cep cases. ne said. chccrfully. as he
reached for the casc-rack and pushed back the
buttons. Then he placed IA couple II bets On
the board and said
Let her go"
The crowd in the room drew near and silently
watched the play as the cards began to slip
from the nickel box under the def fingers II
the dealer nothing was leari but the click "
the cases and the rattle Of The chips as bets
were placed. the lookout apparently indincr-
ent to the game and yet N" personihcation Of
alert watchfulncss loIled in his high chair and
puned lazy at his cigar. The d,a e. in his HIT
sleeves. was impassiveness itself.
The first deal and Tom had lost. Al the end
OF the second he bought another stack II chps.
to which he soon added third The cards were
not coming his way. bu, he was too experienced
a gambler to show the slightest annoyance.
Nonchalanty he drew from his pocket a silk
handkerchief The movement dislodged small.
neatly bound book which fell to the floor 1t
was a Bible. present from Miss Dawson He
picked it up hurredly. intending to replace It
In his pocket. when his eye happened 10 fail
on this verse Of an open page.
And 1t when the king saw Esther. The
queen. standing IN the court mar shr obtained
favor IN his sight; and tn" king he d out To Esther
the golden sccptre that ia his hand. Esther.
chapter V. verse :.
II tx To he hoped that the chrOnicler Of this