The Globe-republican., 1890-12-24

them now his lips closed tighter and the
bitterness deepened in his face.
From distant part of the house came
the sound of music and the laughter oi
children and the buzz Of conversation.
But the lawyer remained motionless
with his head upon his breast.
Rat-tat, rat-tat, rattle-tattle, rattle.
tattle-tattle, rat-tat, rattle-tattle, rat.
tat-tat.
What was that? It seemed to come
from the closet at the other side of the
room. The lawyer went over and
opened the closet door; there was moth
ing to be seen except a lot of old law
books piled upon the shelves and pair
OF heavy old boots on the floor.
THAT noise must have como from be-
low stairs after ALL" he said, "but 1t
seemed to be right in the room; sounded
just like some one dancing on barn
f1oor.''
81 was just thinking Of Uncle Tom. ="
he continued, ''and there are the boots
the old man left here when he got his
new ones at the close of his visit, a
them away"
He vent over to the chair and sat
down again. Uncle Tom," he said to
himself. bah! I hope he enjoyed his
visit here. I didn't. I'd 60 crazy with
that blundering old man around me.
Nudging me and slapping me on the
back. trying to get little fun out Of
me- as he said, with that everlasting,
good-natured laugh Of his. Christmas
IL soon be here he said, as he was leav-
ing, IN hope you'll brace up, Harders,
and enjoy yourself. I'd show you how
to do it if l could stay with you.' Well.
wonder now what he'd do to show me
how to enjoy Christmas" said the law
yer, as he settled down in his chair.
Again the sound of laughter and con-
versation came family from below. The
violins struck up lively air and
Rattle-te-tat-te, rattle-te-tat-te, rat-te-
tattle-te-rattle-te-tat!
The lawyer looked quickly toward the
closet, the door of which he had left
open. He rubbed his eyes and looked
again. Yes, there could be no mistake
about it, there were Uncle Toms boots
stepping about on the closet floor, rat
Ting of the time with heel and toe,
siding across and back, right boot first
left boot first, up with the right. up with
the left, and, as the music grew louder,
up with both, crack! crack! the heels
came together twice in the air, landing
on the floor in exact time with the music,
and finishing up with a lively rattle-tat-te
rat-tat-tat. Then they came
briskly over toward the astonished law
yer exactly as though they had feet and
legs in them. Over to the fire they
walked, turned heels toward it and stood
there wide apart.
Involuntarily Lawyer Flint glanced
up as if expecting to see the ruddy,
jovial face and portly form Of his Uncle
Tom. There were the boots just as the
Did man would have placed them, but
Uncle Tom was not there.
''Bless my soul!' exclaimed the lawyer,
'but this is mighty curious"
The toe of the right boot began tap
ping the carpet gently, then they moved
,ver to the window, stood still mo-
nent and then walked out into the hail
way.
''Gadw said Lawyer Flint, excitedly, |
Il believe they are going out. 1 must
zee the end of this thing!''
He threw of his dressing-gown,
hurried into his shoes, overcoat and hat,
md followed the boots out of the street |
loor, which had opened at their ap-
oroach. Down the steps they tripped
,ayly and turned toward the brilliantly
lighted avenue. The still, starlit night
vas bitterly cold, and Lawyer Flint
'hivered as he buttoned his heavy coat
lose up around his neck. Up the street
10 FASTENED. following the empty boots,
which slipped sideways at every other
'tep and jammed their heels into the
rodden snow, but made their way rapid
y, nevertheless
Around the corner, into the avenue,
n and out among the throngs of Christ
mas eve pedestrians, lodging here and
here, stepping on toes, stopping in front
II show windows, kicking themselves
ogether and stamping on the ground
uuS WeuG Iuc OlU OOOIS, anu dICer CQem
ollowed the excited lawyer.
They turned into big store. "Now,"
hought Lawyer Flint, as he entered
he door, ''some one will be sure to see
hem," but, strange to say, the boots
we're entirely unnoticed by the buzzing,
happy people who thronged
he store.
The lawyer leaned against the toy
ounter and watched the boots as they
huf1ed around on the floor.
"Something for the little ones?"
The question was asked by pretty
alesgirl, and it was addressed to Hard
rs A. Flint. He started, and for the first
ime realized that he was in a rather
eculiar position. Why was he standing
round there, the people would ask, if
e did not wish to buy? How long would
e be obliged to remain? He couldn't
ell. Should he say that he was waiting
Or those old boots? No, no; he didn't
'ish on any account to call attention to
be ridiculous performance they were
Ding through.