The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-04-19
JOHN WHITMAN'S OFFER.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
ny MARGARET SIDNEY.

JOHN WHITMAN'S OFFER.
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
ny MARGARET SIDNEY.
II was John Whitman who said this, adjusting hi!
neckt!e before the glass.
before midnight did not interrupt the even flow o
his blood, nor disturb the action of his heart; thai
was certain His cool, clear color, Justly divided
less, than Its rightful ground lie looked capable
Of making his words good.
II was the 9th of December Necessarily, II al
went well with the universe, tomorrow would he
the 25ih.
"What better ime,' said John to himself, with q
twitch to the neckie, ethan to offer myselfo ngh?'
Not that he exactly Viewed himself In the light OF q
gift but still unable to deny that II was no mean
showing OF to be laid at Mildred Carsons feet
" To night does It,, he repeated, ana then he smiled
at himself In the glass and turned away
There was another reason for ut least moderate
degree OF promptness In the matter. John Whitman
nor any other man would never acknowledge fear OF
other proposals reaching Mildred, as long he the
posscssor OF money, good looks, and position
social god-barred the way with evident desire oil
the only likely
half continent away, running sheep ranch In Colo
RADIO. so much John knew on the e9d of December,
ana ne Smiled SasSng Ia 'e ns ,ha OIL easy
drives long confidential chats, books, flowers, and
bon-bons, without q commlttal of sentiments, and a
of the thing he called heart The 28d
brought a letter TO Marx Taylor, in the hide and
leather business two doors below Johns bank,
where, as Young and rising director, he was to be
found at such hours as suited his fancy. What
more natural than that they should meet and walk
down to The club together on that afternoon?
"Clayton Is coming back for an 'Out,' said Mark,
rs they struck ont over the crisp pavement and
turned the corner.
'.The denre!" said John, slappng of feathery
patch from hiscoat.
Vhafh IN mt n.alt ,Intt shato
aim had been taken, or was an index to Mr.. Whit
mans mind, rs regarded the Clayton news, was of
small consequence. The boy lodging in an al
ey-way chose 10 regard the former, however, and
,huckled rs he rapidly slapped another ball into
shape and sent 1t after the first. This time, how
ever, 1t missed tire.
"Cayton has found out that sleep-raising isn't al!
sport, presume" said John carelessly. Z" Ends as
i always does the fellow has spent probably all he
ever earned. Pity; he worked hard enough, poor
log" he added buitoning his coat with palroniz-
And You say that about Clayton" said Mark,
with mild roar when you know his grip on things
hat he once takes up. Shame on you, Jack"
"rhe same story over again, said Whitman. more
than before. "ThOse fellows who think
IN Western ventures generally come back on outs.
double 'out," may say; out of pocket, too. Ha!
IA! hal"
We'll pleased with his little joke, he laughed on
softly to himself, after the trst onburst, and then
up and gave Mark look.
"Go on" said Taylor, veXed at his want of per-
way You look at the matter. Only don't be a fool,
lack There's nothing that catches girl as these
chaps who rough II bit at the West"
" And then come home on 'Outs,'" finished
Whitman, cody enough. but inwardly all In tremOr
II the mere audacity of the idea.
Taylor not answering, they plunged into another
opic, but the young banker stored II all for future
hought In the quiet of his own apartments
All this accounted for the sudden decision before
lis glass on the morning of the twenty-fourth OF
The day had opened brightly enough, and contln.
led so for good half dozen hours, but along in the
afternoon it turned chill and gray, .proclalming a
n large, feathery flakes that thick and fast
IS showed no disposition TO hold up easily
,ayements, laden many of them to the chin with
parcels of all sorts and sizes, rich AMI poor alike
ostling and josted; good.naturedly succumbing to
,ther, or were hustled uncompainingy into the
cutters as the case might be. No one had time nor
disposition to pick a quarrel week hence, with
he January bills staring them in the face, 1t might
re different. Now all was generosity-the sweet
spirit OF charity and neighborly love. Everybody
vas ont on q rcvel.
The trains iashng in and ont the city's arteries
iarrled the same good nature on the part of people
going or coming to "spend Christmas" Even the
rain-boys whislled and grinned at the quarters
ossed them by lavish passengers and blessed their
stars and wished every night Christmas eve. The
railroad stations were full of hnrrying pleasantly
inpatient crowd, that melted away to give place to
mother, and yet another. rs the trains rushed In,
look up their burdens to rush of again into the dark
ness. The yearly holiday was working its spell
upon mankind with its old, old power; Christmas
was In everybodys eyes, the one thought In every
Dody's heart.
Out of the seventy-hve 0yer-crowded express
from the West jumped a dark-bearded man, with
alert, springng step, that carried him easily by the
Ihrong filing through the waiting-room.
Stamping the snow from first one trim boot and
hen the other, he paused bit outside the door. as
long as the din of wlldly-voclferOus hackmen, the
Jingle of sleigh-bells, and the rumble Of outgoing
rains could be endured; then pulling himself to-
thar "A, hpl ~ IN orn mi nj
corner.
"lt's simply INTERNAL" he calculated, "to get up
such welcome home to fellow. Pandemonium Is
iower shop" twisting his head, and sauinting
through the feathery shower; son! here ts," and
Two men were bnsy banking oWers into ,s srae
basket while boy sorted and punched little sprays
q myosois, hellorope and ferns, or trimmed neatly
IacqueminOt. They all looked up rs the stranger
entered, but their fingers kept steadily at their
work.
81 want some roses," said the dark bearded man,
rawing out his pocketbooka fat one 1t was, and he
looked willing TO pay anything. This one of the men
observed out of keen little eyes. His companion, be-
ing only an acquaintance hired for the occasion to
help through the press OF holiday ORDERS had no in
crest one way or the other, and proceeded stodly
Win his employment. The boy, delighted at any
hing that promised relief from his punching,
grnned eNpansvely, and almost achieved whistle.
Yes, sir; all right, sir" responded the florist
lltle German fellow, sticking ina cornelia Cook
effect sldewise. sin minute, SIR"
My order cannot wait, would have you to I'M.
ierstand," said the tall alert stranger; "either fll
i at once, or get the flowers elsewhere"
on, Yes sir, yes sir" cried the little norst drop
ping buds and sprays as II they were hot Goals, 10
rush around the end of The counter where he stood
,bseqaiously rubbing his hands together, 81 have
Nells, Cornelias, Jacks,
I.Ouye-"
"Pnt together twenty-five Jacquemlnols and a
lash OF maiden hair" SAID the stranger.
lie already mad the lat pockeibook open, and now
threw down bank note on the counter. The boy
At this entirely rellnquished his occupation and
crowded up to look over the genieman's arm at the
amount represented ON the note. This time he did
long, decided "Whewln
$50 back to your work, joe" commanded The
little oris, "or III crack your head for you" (which
~ 1t was his own boy, he was authorized I'M pr0mis.
ug Then he hurried of 10 his nower-case to MI the
Net the hoy alone" said the dark. be arded man,
narelessly, turning around to lean against the
every one is supposed to be happy.n
"Hey?" said The father, his head well within the
case, and only MISUNDERSTANDING "lne boy IL a
way ever get anything out OF him. sir" he finished
and coming back TO the counter Ills
hands full OF roses. II Is, sir TO touch him up
twenty Jacks, air." he added, mentally determining
10 make up the absence of the five by an extra still
price on those he did furnish. "Sorry, but not an
carefully on the counter.
The stranger looked obviously at the fragrant heap.
look alive" he said sharply; "s'Ir ave more up
The little norlst ran back once more to the case,
violently through It's centre and each cor
ner. "Not another one, The announced helplessly,
coming back. "You see, sir, I've had such Do OF.
lers; Why, one lady took my morning stock, and
. heavy orders-cleaned out--and all that Well, do
hese up, man. In some sort OF box. It's TOO late
70 go elsewhere for them, suppose he added, re-
at Ia indeed sir, cried the little German whip-