The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-01-01
JOHN MARROwPRAT'S CHRISTMAS.

JOHN MARROwPRAT'S CHRISTMAS.
"It's very odd" said John Marrow
prat, scratching his head with the end
of his penholder, and looking dubious
ly at the columns of figures he had been
adding up.
Mr.. Marrowprat had been clerk for
Josiah Lickpenny, ship-chandler, for
ten long years, but never, in all his ex-
perience, had he encountered so OBJ
stinate a set of figures as those before
him. Three times had he carefully
arranged and compared them, each time
IN different way, but every combina-
ton had successfully resisted his en-
deavor to strike a proper balance.
Whether 1t was owing to the fact that
the solitary candle, mounted in the
neck Of an old ink-bottle, gave so poor
a light, or that the days labors had
been very arduous, or that his mind
was employed upon some other subject
than the one then before it, 1 do not
know. Certain it was that the results
he obtained were anything but correct,
and they so perplexed him that from
scratching his head he proceeded to rub
his nose, and afterwards gazed into the
three-cornered bit Of looking-glass
tackled up before him to see if anv wan
dering ink had found a resting place on
his face. Satisfied that such was not
the case, he ran the fingers of his left
hand carelessly through his locks, and
saw for the first time that here and
there a gray hair had entwined itself
with its brown fellows. Then he put
his pen il his mouth and, biting it, al
lowed his thoughts to wander much in
this wise: christmas Eve again
Christmas Eve the happiest eve Of all
the long year to many but to John
Marrovprat the gloomiest. And wbv
. is it to John Marrowprat the gloomiest?
Hasn't be got a good position at a fair
salary, with the prospect Of seeing q
new sign hung over the door in the
near future bearing the names OF 'LicA-
penny d Marrowprat 2 Hasn't he got
= comfortable back-room at Mrs. Win.
dies with little stove in it that does
hen. terribly when well fed, and large.
cozy rocking chair, and q shelf Of
books, and a table with two drawers in
t, and pleasant light Isn't there old
Mr.. Windle TO talk to, and Miss Gov TO
play chess with Miss Coy TO be sure
must have played as many as twenty
games with her, and yet, now that I
think of II, We are not very well ac-
qualnted. She seems to be a very nice
little body though, and has a very
pleasant smile smile very like the
Cne that so frequently illumined moth
Er's kind face. All, the old home How
Joyous we've the holidays 1 spent there
Again can hear mothers gentle re-
proof for our boisterousness, and again
do l see the ruddy face Of father as he
heaps the wood upon the roaring fire
Those were happy days beneath the old
roof-days never to return for the
earth covers all those dear faces that
no longer can brighten at the sound of
christmas be!ls-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.. Lickpenuv. thrust
ing a very red face, surrounded bv a
irame OF stubborn sandy hair, through
the little window in the partition that
tuNded the private Office from the store.
when can have a statement
AInost any time, sir; I'll come
Gown atter supper and finish up" an.
swered Alr. Marrowprat, viping his pen
on his coat sleeve, and proceeding to
close ana put away the books.
Mr: Ilckpenny shut the little win
cow but Immediately reappeared in the
doorWaT, and, advancing, said
"eI4, John, its Christmas Eve, and
TAy-day, too. "
Yes, replied John, somewhat sadly.
1t has always been my custom, as
you well know, 10 and something to the
usual wages at this time Of the wear. =
continued Mr.. Lickpenny, producing a
welI--Eorn pocket book. "but money
has been so awfullv tight with me for
the past few months, and things work
so uncommon bad that-eh - have
thought II best 10 dispense with that
little ceremony. OF course, to one who
expects a change in the condition of
things, and Is in a measure preparing
for that change which is not so far dis,
tant as II might be-, this is no great
disappointment. I only mention this.
Mr. Marrowprat, that you may know
The whole matter.
As he handed his honest clerk the
amount of his weeks salary there was a
cunning CLEAN of the eye and twitch-
ing 81 the corners of the mouth that i'll.
beftted the gravity of his speech.
@ So far as that's concerned, sir. re-
fcrrlng, of con-se, to the promise of ad-
vaneement you have made, I've always
endeavored to do my duty. If, in time,
l have become worthy of q closer con.
nection, ! shall endeavor to deserve il,
answered John, as in substance he had
answered many times before.
Mr.. Lickpenny nodded and smiled.
and SO did John. Then Mr.. Lickpenny
went back into his little Office, rubbing
his hands and John, putting on his
great coat, went forth into the cold,
evening air. The lamps were lighted
throughout the city, and the toy and
candy stores were resplendent with
gold and red and silver ornamentation.
As he passed one of them and saw the
throng of pleasant-faced people within,
happiness for the little ones
at home, has heart was heavy with the
thought that there was no little soul.
near aud dear, for him to gladden. on
the morrow.