The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-12-20
PAUL GARWIN'E CHRISTMAS
EVE.
BY ]. t. TRowBRIDGR.

there was one good man, at least, to
whom that circumstance gave a double
satisfaction.
Mr. George Garwin had come home
from his noisy place of business, TO his
tranquil Preside, enjoyed his well-served
six o'clock dinner, and settled down COM
fortably to his newspaper, thankful that
it was the end of the week and that an
other Christmas Eve found him alive and
prosperous, with all his family about him.
He heard the door-bell ring family, but
but. did not mind it until q servant came
to say there was man at the door who
wished to speak with him.
"What name ?" said Mr.. George Gar
win.
"He didn't give his name. He said
ne wished to see you just minute on
business"
"On business p said Mr.. George Gar
win, and the face so bland and satisfied
before became darkened by frown.
For in Mr.. George Garwin there were
two really quite distinct men; the man
of business, and the man of home and So
ciety. The first, exact and exacting, mp
right, prompt and often stern; the sec
Ond, about as genial friend and indul-
gent father as any you will meet be-
tween one Christmas and another.
Mr.. George Garwin liked to keep these
two individuals entirely separate, and
was always annoyed when he found his
twin selves getting little mixed.
Son business !" he repeated, laying
down his paper, dropping the glasses
from his nose, and going to the entry
with harsh, forbidding countenance,
not at all calculated to cheer the humble
person he found there.
That person was a grimy mechanic,
who stood hat in hand, his head of short,
bristling, black hair bowed in a rather
abashed manner under the brilliant gas
light, his wet boots planted on the ele-
giant soft carpet, and clusters of newly
fallen snowfakes melting on his soiled
and sombre clothing,
Warson p Mr.. George Garwin ex-
claimed, staring at the intruder. "What
are you here for ?"
+" If you please, sir" began the man
beg your pardon, sir-I am sorry to
be obliged to ask it."
The look and voice of Mr. George Gar
win embarrassed him so that his voice
here became lost in an incohereut STAN
mer.
"To ask what ?" demanded Mr.. George
Garwin.
money, sir - said the poor man.
Money!" echoed Mr. George Garwin.
Chow happens it that you come here for
money ?"
It's onl y my dues l am AFTER" said
the man Warson, plucking up courage,
speaking more firmly. " Ny weeks
wages, if you please, SIR"
:" / don't understand this" said Mr..
George Garwin, with his hands behind
him and his chin out, in very arrogant
attitude My cashier has orders to paw
every man every Saturday night every
cent due him. | draw checks for him.
That's all l have to do with any mans
wages"
"That's true, sir" said Warson.
"And sorry am to trouble you; but ]
was of this afternoon for two hours, on
account of my child's sickness, and when
l got back to the shop, the cashier said !
was too late; he had locked up his safe.
He said it was your orders to lock that
always at halfpast SIX"
I" He was rightr" said Mr.. George Gar
win. It's the rule; we must have rules,
and we mustn't allow them to be broken.
/ have another rule; never to transact
business out of business hours. can do
nothing for you till Monday. Then you
shall have your wages"
It's a sorry word You speak for me
and my poor family. And to-morrow
Christmas of all days!'' said Warson,
with q tremor in his voice But If you
say it, don't expect it will be unsaid. ]
know you for hard man, Mr.. Garwin r
II you know me for . hard man. don'l
come to me on such errands," said Mr.
George Garwin, with singular change
in his look and voice But never ex
pected workman of mine would say
that I"
Warson went away, reluctant and dis.
satisfied and Mr.. George Garwin-hia
business-self sadly mixed up with his do
meatic-self, to the manifest detriment OF
both-walked back to bis sitting-room
and evening paper
Then Mrs. George Garwin, who had
overheard the talk in the entry, and had
. glimpse of the snow-haked, grimy me-
chanic, said in tone Of quiet pathos:
The poor man really looked "a IL he
needed the money. [ am sorry YOU
couldn't give it to him"
Mr.. George Garwin was feeling good
deal disturbed by Warson's last words.
and he was glad Of an opportunity to de-
fend himself
So am / sorryl But IL won't do to
break over my rule. If begin to let my
men come after me here on business mat
teFa there'd be no cad to ii Shop 10 one
thing, home i another. And / mean TO