The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1873-12-25

u"Sus oIu uiu I've
"Is yonr master at home, my
dear!" said Scroogc to the girl.
Nice girl! Very. a7
"Ycs, SIR" 1 - A
hWhere is he, my lovc?" said
Scrnogc.
."ile's in tho dining-room, sir.
along with mistress. III show
you1up stairs, If you please"
i"Thauk'ec. lie knows me-"
said Scrooge, with his hand al
ready ON the dining-roon lock.
IN go in here, my dear"
lie turned it gently, aud sid
led his face in, round the door.
They were look,ng at the table
(Which was spread ont in great
array; for these yonng housekecp.
ers arc always nervous on such
points, and liketo see that every.
thing is right. q
"Fred'!' said Scroogc.
Dear heart alive, how his
niece by marriage started. Scrooge
had forgotten, for the moment,
about her sitting in the corner
with the foot -stool, or he wouldn't
have done it, on any account.
why. bless my SOUL" cried
Fred who's that"
"lt'sI. Your nncle Scrooge.
| have come to dinner. Will
you lot me in Frcd!"
Let him in! It's mercy he
dint shake his arms off. He was
at home in five minutes. Moth
ing could be heartier. His riecc
looked Just the same. So did
Topper when he came. So did
the plump sister, when she came.
So did ever one when they camo.
Wonderful patty, wonderful games
wonderful unanmity, wonderful
happiness. # 8
But iie was early at the office
next morning. Oh, he was early
there. If he could only be there
first, and catch Bob Cratchit com.
ing late. That was the thing he
had set his heart upon.
And he did il; yes, he did it!
The clock struck nine. No Bob.
A quarter past. No Bob. lie
was full eighteen minutes aud q
half behind his time. Scrooge
sat with h 8 door wide open, that
he might sec him come into the
Tank.
His hat was off before lie open
ed tho door, his comforter, too.
lie was on his stool III a jiffy
driving away with his pen, as if
he were trying to overtake nine
O'clock.
"Ilalloo!' prowlcd Scrogc, in
his accustomed vo;ce as near as
he conlJ feign It. "What DO yen
mean by coming here at this time
of day"
81 am very sorry, sir" pleaded
Bob. IL am behind my time"
"You arcl' repeated Scrooge.
"Yes, l think yon are. Step this
way, cir, it you please"
"lt's only once a year, cir"
pleaded Bob, appearing from the
Tank. 1T shall not bo repeated.
| WAS making rather merry yes
terday, sir."
.'Now, III tell you what, my
frlend,' said Scrooge, II am not
going to stand this sort of thing
any longer. And therefore," lie
continued, leaping from his stool
and giving Bob such a dig under
the waistcoat that he staggered
back into the Tank again, "and
therefore am about to raise your
salary!'
Dob trembled and got a little
nearer to the ruler. lie had a
momentary idea Of knocking
Scrooge down with it, holding
him down and calling to tho peo :
pie in the court Tor help ard Il
strait waistcuat.
"a merry Christmas, Boil"
said Scrooge, with nh earne stncss
that could not be mistaken, as he
clapped him on the back, IA mcr.
rier Christmas, Bob, my good
fellow, than | have given you for
many yearl III raise your sal
AIRY, aud endeavor TO assist your
struggling family, ~pd we will
discuss yonr affairs this very af-
ternoon over a Christmas bowl
Of smoking bishop, Bobl Make up
the fires aud buy another coal
scuttle before you dot another i,
Bob Craicbiti'' sE. ~
scrpoge was better than bis
word. lie did Il all. and Infinite