River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-12-23
\ CHRISTMAS STORY.

OF course every one knows the mer-
camille house of Denmark q co. Single
mann and | were the Co., and Denmark
well. of course, he was Denmark.
Denmark and Singlemann had roomed
together when they were boys and
young men. Then Denmark got mar
ried and Siuglemann took the rooms
he has now
"Singlemann, old fellow" l said,
when we sat alone in the counting
room after the store was closed Christ
mas eve, Il havea turkey which want
help ON tomorrow Come down to
dinner
Too late, my boy; just promised
Denmark to go up with him tomorrow.
His wife particularly requested it, and
50 / don't like to refuse, you know"
80. of course not. Very nice little
woman, Denmark wife is
What said Singleman, 50 tiercely
and sharply that was quite startled.
Il SAID Mrs Denmark was rather a
fine lady"
Certainly certainly ~lid Single
mann, looking somewhat abaslred.
Then, after pause, he said;
didn't exactly catch what you
said at first,
The fire was slowly smouldering in
the CRATE. and the shutters were closed.
poked up the Goals and remarked
that ii looked a little like snow outside.
Il always feel little queer and ner-
vous on Christmas eve, said Single
mann. evidently thinking about his alb
rupt ejaculation few minutes before,
and not needing what | said; you
mustn't mind me
What's the matter, Singlemann?"
said /
Didn't ever tell You about it,"
said he
NO.
IF l hadn't acted like a fool, he
replied harshly, speaking more to him
self than to me, Iii might have been
different now
presumcdthat it would ans -odidn't
contradict him
Il thought YOU knew how near |
came to getting married once. he said,
with an attempt at a laugh. The la'.2
wouldn't come and 50 he took the
poker from me and vengefully poked
the fire
When used TO clerk here, you
know, Denmark and ! roomcd away
out Woodward Avenue. thought it
to be nearly out in the interior of
Michigan then, but it, different now.
Every morning ~ came down the
avenue | met Young girl. There
were no street car, then, and besides if
there had beeu-well, we practiced
economy, YOU know that's why we
boarded away ont there in the country
but that girl didn't notice her very
much at first, aud Denmark, he never
noticed her at all Webothcamc down
together. Denmark was always think
ing of business: he was-have cigar?
Listening i, dry work; smoke and make
it dryer.
why. Singlemanu, YOU know !
never smoke; % on.
Il told YOU | was queer Tonight.
Did YOU ever notice how wrapped up
Denmark is IN business Business will
be the conversation over the turkey to-
morrow. tell YOU Young men now
adays
How about the girl
20. yes-she AWAY, dressed plainly.
but you ought t. have seen her. | tell
you. John, young ladies nowadays
think Of nothing but dress and yet with
all their silks and fcathers-
Il know: solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like your Woodward
Avenue belle-in plain clothes.
lie pokcd the tire for nearly two
minutes. and | began to fear that had
figuratiyely put my foot into it and
lost my story
II think anyone must have fallen in
love with her. but ! could never get
Denmark to see il. never cared for
any one before or since. / was COM
pletely-but whats the use Of talking
Of that met her every morning.
She Away looked straight ahead and
never seemed TO know that She passed
the same two fellows every day.
Where did she livea What did she do?
One night in December a l came up
late from the store | was astonished to
see my young LADY, called her mine
standing at desk in counting
room Her hat and cloak were flung
on the desk beside her and she was
evidently Just ready to leave. The
loveliest little frown was on her brow,
and the figures evidently wouldn't add
up right The lamp-light shown on
her face and it never looked 30 hand
some before. stood before the win
dow and gazed there in rapt admiration
and. may say. alteration. ! tell you.