Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-28
A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
The Story of the Phantom ASS
Judge Byers' Change of Heart.


ruddy-gotten UP after the style of old
Mr.. Plckwlck. He was particularly gush-
ing about Christmas time. On such occa-
sions ne never allowed any body to be
hungry or sOrrowful if ne could help 1t,
and, as he was quite well of, he usually
managed to help it. III the reader desires
to get an accurate idea what sort
OF man Judge Byers really was be
should read Dickens christmas Carol"
Judge Byers was old Scro0ge to dot;
! that 10, ne was a Scrooge alter Marly's
| ghost and the spirits had got through
with him. At Christmas times Byers
went about surprising his friends and
relatives with checks, turkeys, baskets
OF Wine, and whatever else they needed.
He paralyzel tue little boOtblacks with
50 bills, and the waiter where ne dined at
the restaurant bowed until the top of his
head almost touched the floor as his
hand closed on a crisp $50 bill. All this
ilberality was caused partly by gener'
GUS disposition and partly by lnundat-
ing his system with too much wine.
1t was Christmas time again. 1t was
the day before Christmas, aud Judge
Byers was seated in his cozy little office,
gazing into the glowing Goals In the CRATE.
de was pensively turning over the tab
lets OF his memory. AS he unused over
past Christmases no heard the outside
y
as he remembered having locked the door.
Then he heard steady, regular tramp,
tramp, tramp.
"HumbugW said Byers. "There are no
ghosts" But his color changed when a
large donkey, with immense ears, tramped
right through the door and passed into
the room before his eyes. The Phantom
Ass deliberately sat down in an arm chair
on the opposite SIDE OF the fire, crossed
his hind legs, and complacently stroking
the long convexity Of his upper lip shook
one of bis ears at Byers and winked his
glazed eve at him.
dreadful apparition, why do you
trouble meW cried Byers, falling on his
knees.
81 have sat, invisible, beside you many
day, Judge Byers."
1t was not an agreeable idea. Byers
shivered and wiped the perspiration from
his brow, although the voice was soft and
gentle as that OF a child.
What do you wantT' asked Byers.
"Your welfare. Come along with me.
Get upon my back and take a ride"
II am but mortal, and liable TO fall"
said Byers.
"Fear not" said the Phantom Ass, and
before he knew it he was astride the dom
key. They passed through the wall. the
great city had entirely vanished. The
darkness and the mist had entirely van
ished with iJ.
''Good heavensw said Byers, clasping
his hands as he looked about him, ''isn't
this Sing Sngw
The spirit, turning his head. gazed
upon him mildly, and a moment later they
were inside of the prison walls.
ibid you ever see that man before?"
asked the ghost, pointing with his ear at
convict who was laundering shirts,
she looks like young German boy to
whom l gave $25 one Christmas some
| years ago."
eyes, he is that very boy. Your ac-
| cursed Iiberality enabled him to go on
| spree. he got acquainted with New
YORK politician, sinking lower and lower
in crime and degradation, until he became
| Doodle Alderman. Yes, wretch, this is
your work. Your paie-faced convict is
Alderman Jaehne. Look at the victim OF
| your liberality and tremb le."
"Pll never give anybody another cent
on Christmas" said Byere, trembling,
and casting his eyes on the ground.
$40 you repentp' asked the Phantom,
looking around sternly at the wretched
man on his back,
Il do. How many bootblacks and beg
CARS have lured to ruin by my cursed
liberalityp
The Ghost smiled thoughtfuly, and they
passed out throu2h the walls OF the State
prison. The scene changed. The ghost
Jumped fence and was IN the yard OF
modest cottage over IN New Jersey. 1t
was night, but from his position on the
back of the Phantom Ass Byers could see
into the lighted room,
by thunder! This is the house of nv
nephew, jim Mason, whom set up In his
business and who is making money band
over fist. 1 always send him a check for
5000 Christmas, bus forgot 1t Yesterday.
Here, at least, my liberality has not been
misplaced" said Byers.
The Phantom Ass, turning his head.
sniled sardonicaly, and remarked:
Just listen to what they say about
you"
Byers listened, He could hear every
word.
81 WONDER" said Mason to his wife, elf
that old bald-headed fraud, nv uncle, is
going back on me this Christmssf De
usually sends me check the day before
Christmas, but Tve not got 1t yet"
"I'd rather do without the check than
have him eat bis Christmas dinner here,
as he did last Christmas. 1t makes me-
tired to see him soldering over the chill
dren and guzzling wine," said Mrs. Ma.
son. spitefully.
''Are you listening Judge ByersY
asked the Phantom Ass, gleefully.
Judge Byers was indeed an indignant
listener. He heard his favorite nephew
saw:
''Pve got no more use for the old fool than
you have, but he is rich, and as he Is GO
ing TO leave US most OF his money In his
will. Pm not going to insult him.
Eyes, but he'll never die. What's the
use of having a rich uncle il he never
dies?" remarked Mrs. Mason.
''He is getting fatter and redGer all the
time. He'll drop off suddenly some day."
said her husband.
II hope hell never see another Christ
mas" said Mrs. Mason feellngly.
the Phantom Ass laughed 50 vigorous.
ly that poor Byers could scarcely Keep his
seat.
esprit" said Byers, "this is a fearful
place. In leaving 1t, l shall not leave It's
lesson, trust me. Let us 20. | promise
never again to make such a"
Byers was going to say ''consummate
ass OF myselfn but he restrained himself
out Of consideration for his companion
and said 'foop' instead.
Once more the scene shifted. Byers
was back in his own room. The Pnap-
| tom was seated In the arm chair, with
his hind legs crossed. Gradually a change
came over the Phantom ASS; his ears
seemed to dwinde away, and on Byers
waking up and rubbing his eyes, he per-
ceived he was looking at one OF the and
| irons.
Yes, he was in bis own room. IL was