Frostburg mining journal., 1882-12-23


The man looked at the card. raised his eye
brows slightly, lowered them again, turned the
card over quickly with his middle finger, gazed
at the blank side for moment in very blank
panner, while his mind digested the words on
its face, then turning it back again, he gave it
another short look, and finally glancing side
ways at St. Nick, he smiled very good-natured
smile as both hands went into the pockets of
his great coat, one of them carrying the card.
"Eights, did you say?" inquired the glove
clerk.
"Oh, never mind" said the man. "rn
make these answer" As he spoke he pulled
from his pocket a pair of driving gloves that
were rather worn. "1'n get EN- mended,"
said he.
"By the way, do you ever go to the theatre?"
he asked the clerk.
"Yes, sometimes; 1 can't afford it very
often"
"Perhaps you can use these. They're good
seats. They We're given to me, but can't CO."
He handed two theatre tickets over the counter
and with them the card st. Nick had given
him, and then turning to the latter, who stood
waiting, they walked arm-in-arn from the
store.
l passed by the glove clerk as / went ont
He was looking not at the tickets, but ut the
card of St. Nick, and heard him say softly to
himself
$50 it is; I'll give them to Charlie he never
has chance"
st. Nick couldn't have gone far with the tall
man, for found him in the very next store
entered. He was standing behind two ladies',
who seemed to be discussing some pretty silk
neckerchiefs.
"You know she likes blue much better" said
one.
"Yes, know she does," said the other, "but
it costs twenty-five cents more, and l can't
| afford it. do wish l could decide which to
get!"
SECT the blue one," said st. Nick. "You
can afford it,"
81 don't know about that. I feel kinder
poor since had the barn painted"
"Take card,' said st. Nick.
The lady took it.
"Oh, beg pardon; didn't know it was
you." Then, looking at the card again, "Well,
| guess it's about so, Here, you put NJ, that
blue neckerchief, and Yes put That red one
| in with it her sister would like that. Here's
the money. Do 'em up quick before l change
my mind"
Her companion had been looking at the card,
and exclaimed
"That reminds me! I must finish those
slippers. had forgotten all about it. Where
is the worsted counterY
"Way back, ON the right"
The ladies walked away toward the worsted
counter, and st. Nick, laying card on the
counter they had left. turned his attention else
where. The clerk, looking at the card pocketed
it carelessly, remarking to pale young fellow
DCSl(te MIN
"Suppose You come to dinner with me to-day,
Frank you haven't for u week"
was rather curious about those small, white
cards that ST. Nick was giving about so freely,
| and following him toward the door, was just in
time to see him make dive through the crowd
and collar q small boy, who was on the point OF
going into the street.
The child looked alarmed as he was pulled
back into the store, but only for minute.
"How much are your pencils?" st. Nick in
quired.
The boy was selling pencils.
"Seven cents apiece-dollar bunch; sell
you half bunch for fifty cents"
81 want bunch. l keep my books with a
lead pencil. Can you change tlas?"
"Tn get it changed for you in second.
Here, hold my stock for me-"
''No, l can't wait. Take the bill and bring
me the change any time before Christmas.
Here's my card study it up. guess you're fly.
There's the address in the corner TumbleY
st. Nick crowded card and bill into the little
fellows hand, snatched bunch of pencils and
tore out of the door, whistling and gesticulating
violently at the driver of a stylish-looking
coupe which was passing near the sidewalk.
'Yes," said the boy, examining the bill, 81
tumble that you're luniy and ougiter be pulled
in Then he looked at the card. "Oh |
tumble again. Second thoughts is best. Good
enough / know the old dutfer. Ell give
Jimmy such u stocltin' he'll think he's got a
bone in his leg"
was burning with desire to know what
was written on that card of st. Nicks, and
rushed out into the street to see what had be-
come of the stylish coupe. 1t had come to
Standstill short distance up the street, and st.
Nick was talking to the occupant. saw him
hand in card and after minute more the
driver twisted about in his seat and looked
down over the edge of his collar at the door.
Then st. Nick backed onto the sidewalk lifting
his hat, and the coupe being turned around,
came slowly by, allowing me to get glimpse or
a fair, sweet ladylike face, surmounted by
perfectly lovely bonnet that presently made its
appearance at the window and brought the
driver down from his perch. He opened the
door in front of the store had left, carefully
holding an apple behind him as he did so.
Stepping to the sidewalk, my lady handed
him the card of st. Nick and passed into the
store.
The driver took small preparatory bite
from the rosy side of the apple, and then puz-
zled over the card. I watched him, and noticed
that he didn't finish the apple, but gave it to the
horse nearest him.
As st. Nick was walking toward me made
up my mind that l would get one OF those
cards that seemed to be matter of SO much
interest to every one who looked at them. 80
approached him and demanded one.
II don't hand them to everybody" said he.
"PeoBle who haven't much money and manu-
facture their Christmas presents with their own
hands are the ones who get the most good out
of the day. They understand all about it and
don't need my cards; give them where they
are needed most. 1 gave that rascal a Y. He's
u smart tradesman, and by Christmas time he'll
spell it with double Y. 1 know where every
cent of it will go.
"Did you see that big man with a seal-slsin
coat? he's worth half million. have his
word for a cart-load of presents and a big
check beside. His heart is as big as his purse,
but he's forgetful. / have to refresh his
memory every year. And that lady in the
coupe, she's got mint of money always try
ing to do good, but doesn't know how. She'd
never get the right thing if l didn't write it all
down for her."
st. Nick turned around after saying this, and
To- tl,a lTax