The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-01-10
A PLOT. AND HOW 1T WORKED.

n,ine."'-Scribntr for January.
PLOT. AND HOW 1T WORKED.
"To-MORRow's Christmas, amt it?''
l said. !.
why, of course it is" she answered,
and by the way she said it, inferred
that ought to have known tomorrow
was Christmas, and, on reflection, so l
ought. But, seriously, did know it
would be Christmas. L merely wanted
to introduce Christmas as the subject of
conversation. and now that it was the
subject. hardly knew what to say next.
So I compromised by saying:
III take another cup of tea, please"
why. your cup isn't empty yet.
John" said my wife. whats the
matter with you to-day?"
That's a fact. didn't notice it was
full-all right. That's a good-sized
turkey got for tomorrow, don't you
think sop
Yes. think it is
Don't you think it's rather large for
us two?'
'Oh. YOU know cold turkey is
Yes, we had cold turkey for week
after Thanksgiving. thought it was
going to last till Christmas. was tired
of it,
Well. why didn't YOU get smaller
one this time?''
That's SO might have done it,
mghtn't l? l never thought of that"
Well" l said, "this one is pretty
large for two, but for three or four,
now. it would be-
"Oh. yes; you want to ask some one
to dinner, know you do"
Really, now, l DON'T
Yes YOU do; who is (which of
your old cronies: which one?''
assure you never thought"
WHO is it?''
Well, you know, Fred Singlemann
Now, see here, John. Old Single
mann boards at one of the best hotels
in Detroit. and will get better dinner
than we have to give him.
"Of course; but you see, my dear, il
isn't the dinner alone. On Christmas
man likes good dinner, of course. but
that is not all. 1 can't help thinking
that man must feel rather lonely, eat
ing Christmas dinner at hotel.
Christmas is time when our feelings
entwine--'
"Oh, nonsense. Old Singlemann has
no feelings to entwine, or if he has, why
didn't he get married years ago, and
then he wouldn't have to be lonely and
board out? AT his age"
Now, there's where you mistake.
Singlemann is not old; but never mind,
we won't ask him.
why not, pray?'
II shall not ask him, at least"
well, if You don't, WILL
Look nice. you going to a hotel to
ask man to dinner"
IF my husband won't do it for me,
l suppose l must"
"Oh, if you insist, I'll ask him, of
course
"Then l insist
This was why wanted the subject of
Christmas introduced. l knew Single
mann must be rather glad to escape his
splendidly-furnished rooms for one day.
Of course. every one in this city knows
the mercantile house of Denmark & Co.
Singlemann and l were the Co., and
Demark-well, of course, he was De-
mark.
Denmark and Singlemann had roomed
together when they were boys and
Young men. Then Denmark got married,
and Singlemann took the rooms he has
now.
Singlemann, old fellow" 1 said
when we sat alone in the counting-room
after the store was closed Christmas
Evc-"I have turkey which l want
help on tomorrow. Come down to
dinner,
Too late, my boy; l just promised
Denmark to 60 up with him tomorrow.
His wife particularly requested it, and
SO | didn't like to refuse, you know"
'Oh, of course not. Very nice little
woman. Demark's wife isl
"Whatr' said Singlemann, SO fierce
ly and sharply that was quite startled.
Il said Mrs. Denmark was rather a
fine ladyr'
Certainly! ccrtainlyr' said Single
mann, looking somewhat abashed.
Then, after a pause, he said:
Il didn't exactly catch what you
said at first
The fire was slowly smOldering in
the CRATE, and the shutters were closed.
poked up the Goals and remarked that
it looked a little like snow outside.
II always feel a little queer and
nervous on Christmas Eve" said
Singlemann, evidently thinking about
his abrupt ejaculation few minutes
before, and not needing what said
"you mustn't mind me"
What's the matter, Singlemann?''
said l.
Didn't ever tell you about it?'' he
said.
mo"
IF hadn't acted like q fool" he
replied harshly, speaking more to him.
self than to me, it might have been
different, now"
presumed that it would and sc
didn't contradict him.
IL thought you knew how near ]
came to getting married lonce," he
said, with an attempt at laugh. The
laugh wouldn't come and so he tool
the poker from me and vengefully
poked the fire.
when l used to clerk here, yol
know Denmark and roomed away ou
Woodward avenue. 1t was thought t.
be nearly out in the interior of Michi
gan then, but it's different now. Ever
morning as came down the avenue
met young girl. There were NJ
street cars then, and beside If ther,
had been-well, we practiced economy
you know-that's why we boardet
away out there in the country-bu
<bot n;r1-I d;dust ,ro<son hn,. vary vp,,,cl