Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-12-25
1Irrro1rpra.,s Chrlstl,l ns.


ITS very odd, ;" said John Marrow
prat, scratching his head with the end
of his penholder, and looking obviously
at the columns of. figures he had been
adding up. ....s-..,. ~ .-.s.- III -.
MIR. Marrowprat had been clerk for
Josiah IIickpenpy, ship chandler, for
ten long years, but never in all his ez-
-perience had he encountered so obsti-
nate. a set of figures. as those before him.
Three times had he carefully arranged
and compared them, each time in a diff
ferent way, but every combination had
successfully resisted his endeavors to
strike a proper balance. Whether it
was owing TO the fact that the solitary
candle, mounted in the neck of aA cid
ink bottle, gave so poor a light, or that
the days lab6rs had been very arduous,
or that his mind was employed upon
some other subject than the one then
before it, / do not know. Certain it
was that the results he obtained were
anything but correct, and they so per
picked him that from scratching his
head he proceeded to NIB his nose, and
afterwards gazed into the three eorneretl
bit Of looking glass tucked up before
him to see if any wandering ink had
found a resting place on his face.
Satisfied that such was not the case
he ran the fingers of his left hand care
lessly through his locks, and saw for the
first time that here and there grey hair
had entwined itself with its brown fel
lows. Then he put his pen in his mouth
and, biting it, allowed his thoughts to
wander much in this wise Christmas
Eve again, Christmas Eye! the hap
piest eve of all the long year to many
but to John Marrowprat the gloonliest,
And why is it to John MarroWprat the
gloomieSt =? Hasn't he got good posi-
ton at fair salary, with the prospect
of seeing a new sign hung over the door
in the near future bearing the names of
'Lickpenny & Marrowprat ?? Hasn't he
got comfortable back room at Mrs.
Wmdle's with a little stove in it that
does heat terribly when well fed, and a
large, cosy rocking chair, and shelf of
books, and table with two drawers in
it, and pleasant light ? Isn't there old
Mr. Windle to talk to, and Miss Coy to
play chess with ? Miss Coy to be sure.
I must have played as many as twenty
games with her, and yet now that
think of it, we are not very well ac-
quainted. She seems to be q very nice
little body though, and has very pleas
ant smile a smile very like theone that
so frequently illumined mothers kind
face All, the old home How joyous
We're the holidays l spent there! Again
can hear mothers gentle reproof for
our boisterousness, and again do / see
the rudy face of father as he heaps the
wood upon the roaring fire. Those were
happy days beneath the old r6of-days
never to return for the earth covers all
those dear faces that no longer can
brighten at the sound of Christmas bells
no longer gather about the dear old
family board
There were tears in simple John Mar
rowprat's eyes as he trimmed the candle
and turned again to his figures.
"John, said Mr.. Lickpenny, thrust
ing very red face, surrounded by a
frame of stubborn sandy hair through
the little window in the partition that
divided the private Office from the store,
"when can / have statement?"
almost any time, sir; I'll come
down after supper and finish up" an
swered Mr.. Marrowprat, wiping his pen
on his coat sleeve, and proceeding to
close and put away the books
Mr.. Lickpenny shut the little window,
but Immediately reappeared iIl@the door
way, and advancing said
"Well, John, it's Christmas Eve, and
pay day, too"
Eyes, replied John, somewhat sadly.
at has always been my custom, as
you well know, to add something to the
usual wages at this time of year." con-
tinued Mr.. Lickpenny, producing well
worn pocket book, ''but money has been
SO awfully tight with me for the past
few months, and things work so I'M
common bad that-eh II have thought
it best to dispense with that little cere-
mony. Of course, to one who expects
change in the condition of things, and
is in measure preparing for that
change, (Which is not as far distant as
it might be, } this is no great disappoint-
ment. | only mention this, Mr.. Mar
rowprat, that you may know the whole
matter"
AS he handed his honest clerk the