Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-12-22


~ 70 INN gave you one last year-same
hr1n. same motto"
The man booked at tlio card raised his eve.
brows slightly, lowered thom again, turned ths
otfd over quickly with his middle finger, gazod
40 the blank eide for a moment in a yerV blank
manner, while his mind digcstod the words on
It's face, then turning IL back rsoin, he gave il
another short look and finally g!lnging side.
ways at Sc. Nick, he smiled o very goal -nstured
smile ~ both hands went into One pockets Of
ms B,oet coat, ono Of thom carrying tho card.
olork
ION, mover mind" said the man. I'm
..l.-... .l...l ,..-.,.4.' As he spoke he pufo1
from his pocket pair of driving Gloves thai
were rather worn. "rn get '6m mended.'
by the way, do you ever 20 to the theatreY
be asked the clerk.
often" ~ '0'
Perhaps You cant use these. THEY'RE eooi
s,1.t Iuay were given o. me, but L emit 20.
lie hAndod two tl'atfo ticl1ts over th8 counter
ana wltl tham Che card st. Mol, had given
hun, and then turning TO Che n.ser. wi1 Stood
waiting, they walked arn-in-arm f.om the
store.
passed by tho gloyo clorl, as 1 went on,
He was looking not Mt the ticists, bat az the
ss9 i vi st. Nick, and heard him say softly to
"so tits; ri give them to Charlie no never
has chance"
S. Ni9l couldn't have gone far with Tho tail
man, for / found h,m in the very mkt store /
enter d. II. WAS standing behind two ladies.
n,-tUrchlsfB.
"you know abe likes blue much better" said
one.
"ics, know slc ioes," said the Other, "l,is
IL costs twenty-five cents moro, and / can't
al1Id it, do wish could decide which to
Get tho blue one, said 81. Nick. "You
can aaorl it."
81 don't know about thai. l feel kinder
poor since ] had the barn painted"
Take card, said ST. Nioil
The lady took t.
con, beg parlon l didn't know it WIS
you.' Then, looking at tho card again, "Wel,
| 5n>ss its about 50. Here, you put up that
blue ueckerchiCf, and Yes put Chat red one
in with it; her sister would ike that. Here's
the money. Do EN- up quick before I change
my mind
Her companion had been looking at the card,
and exclaimed
''That reminds mel l must finish those
slippers. had forgotten all about it, Where
is the worsted countlr2"
Way back, ON the right"
The ladies' walked away toward the worsted
counter, and st. Nick, laying card on the
counter they had luft turned his attention else
'r. The clerk, locking 1t tho card, po0acted
j. ~ elesaiy, remarldns to pale young fellow
beside him
"Supposo you come to dinner with me to-day,
Frank you haven't for u week.
wGs rather curious about those small white
cards that St Nick was giving about 50 freely
and following him toward tho doos, was Just in
time to see him make dive through tho crowd
and collar small boy, who was on the point OF
going into the street.
The child looked alarmed as no was pulled
bscl, into the store, but only for minute.
Glow much arc your pencils2" St Nick in
CURED
The boy was selling pencila
"Seyen cCuts epiece-dollar a bunch sell
you half bunch for fifty cents"
" want bunch. | keep my books with
lead pencil. Can you change this2"
"Il get it changed for you in second.
Here, hold my stock for me-"
"NO, l can't wait Take the bill and bring
mo the change any time before Christmas.
Here's my card study it up. guess you're fly.
There's the address in the corner. Tumble p
st. Nick crowded card and bill into the little
fellows hand, snatchCd a bunch of pencils and
tOro out of the door, whistling and gesticulating
violently at the driver Of stylsh-ooking
coupe which was passing near the sidewalk.
Eyes, said the boy, examining the hin, 81
tumble that you're luny and oughter be pulled
in Then he looked at the card. "Oh!
tumble again. Second thoughts is best. Good
enough l know the old dulTer. III give
Jimmy such q stocldn' hen think he's got
bone in his leg"
I was burning with a desire to know what
was written on that card Of ST. Nck's and ]
rushed out into the street 10 zee what had be-
come of the stylhh coupe. 1t had come 10
standstill a short distance up the street. and St
Nick Was talking to the occupant. l saw him
hand IN card and after a minute more the
driver twisted about in his scat and looked
down over the edge of his collar at the door
Then 81. Nick backed onto the Sidewalk, lifting
his hat, and the coupe being TUNED around,
came slowly by, allowing me to got glimpse of
a fair sweet ladylike face, surmuunted 10y a
perfectly lovely bonnet, that presently made ita
appearance at the window aud brought the
driver down from his perch. He opened the
door in front Of the store had left, carefully
holding an apple behind hirBas he did 80.
Stepping 10 tae sidewalk, my lady handed
him the card Of ST. Nick and passed into the
store
The driver took a small preparatory bite
from the rosy side of the apple, and then puz-
Zlod over the card | watched him, and noticed
that he didn finish the apple, but gave it to the
horse nearest him
AS st. Nick was walking toward me made
mp any mind that j would get one of those
cards that seemed to be matter of so much
interest to every one who looked at them. So 1
approached him and demanded one
81 don't hand Thorn to everybody" said he.
people who haven't much money and manu-
lactulo tlelf OllflHbll'A pitaehLi Win tnOf OWL
hands arc the nn0s who get the most good out
Of the day. They understand all about il and
don't need my cards l give them where they
are needed most. gave that rascal v. He's
a smart tradasman, ind by Christmas time he'll
spell it with double X. l know where every
cent Of it will go.
"Did you sec that big man with a seal-gldn
coat? ho's worth half million. / have his
word for a cart-load of presents and big
check beside. HIS heart is as big as his purse, |
but he's forgetfui. / have TO refresh hid
every year. Aud that lady in the
coupe, she'a got a mint OF money; always try |
ing to do good, but DOESN'T know how. She'd |
never get the right thing ii l didn't write it all
down for her"
st. Nick turned around after saying this, and |
looked anMous'y across the street. knew |