News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-12-24


which had opened at their approach.
Down the steps they tripped gayly and
turned toward the brilliantly lighted
avenue. The still, starlit night was Bit
terly cold, and Lawyer Flint shivered as
he buttoned his heavy coat close up
around his neck. Up the street he has
tened, following the empty boots, which
slipped sideways at every other step and
jammed their heels into the trodden
snow, but made their way rapidly, never
theless.
Around the corner, into the avenue, in
and out among the throngs of Christmas
eve pedestrians, lodging here and there,
stepping on toes, stopping in front of
show windows, kicking themselves to-
gether and stamping on the ground
thus went the old boots, and after them
= followed the excited lawyer.
icy turned into big store "Now,"
n Lawyer Flint, as he entered
k.9e one will be sure to see
- to say, the boots
sSaned against the toy
- ssnd watched the boots as they
y1huff1ed around on the floor.
Something for the little ones?"
The question was asked by pretty
salesgirl, and it was addressed to Har-
ders Flint. He started, and for the
first time realized that he was in a
rather peculiar position. Why was he
standing around there, the people would
ask, if he did not wish to buy? How
long would he be obliged to remain? He
couldn't tell. Should he say that he
was waiting for those old boots? No,
no; he didn't wish on any account to
call attention to the ridiculous perform
ance they were going through.
eyes," he said, coloring, something
for the little ones;' and then he went
bells, and woolly dogs, and wooden
monkeys, and trumpets, and checkers,
and dominoes, growing white and red
by turns as he thought of the fearful
extravaganza, and, glancing furtively,
with increasing impatience and anger,
at the boots, which seemed ivelier than
ever as his purchases increased.
''Seven dollars and forty cents, please"
said the salesgirl.
Into the silver ball went good ten
dollar bill click, click, it shot upward
and slid across the cashiers desk, while
the lawyer groaned and waited for his
change.
Rattle e-tat-te, rattle-te-tat-t rattle
te-tat-te, rat-ta-tat! went the old boots
close by his side. Several people looked
at him with smiles of amusement
"Happy time, isn't it?' said jolly little
fat man, glancing at the lawyers big
bundle. 81 feel like dancing myself"
Change, sir; thank you. Merry
Christmasl'
The exasperated lawyer grasped his
bundle and hurried after the boots,
which now seemed anxious to get away
from the store. When he struck the cold
air and again drew his coat around him
he seemed somehow to feel less annoy
ance The excitement of the chase had
warmed his blood. 1t was a curious
feeling that began now to steal over him,
| the like of which he had never expert
| creed before, or at least not for many
! years, he said to himself, as he stopped
| before candy store and followed the
| boots inside.
Candy for Christmas" He smiled
almost to think that he, Harders Flint,
should hear such question addressed to
himself, and more astounding yet was
the fact that he did want to buy some
candy for Christmas, and that he really
stood there, pocketbook in hand, wait
ing for it.
Rattle-te-tat, te-tat-te-tat!
A smile broke over the salesgirl's face
as she handed him the package of candy,
and away went the lawyer, after the
boots, which seemed determined to give
skshiln a lively chase before the evening
was over. Again he was i'll the biting
air, but the warm blood coursed through
every vein in his body as he hurried
along. Again and again they stopped
until the lawyers purse was nearly
empty and his arms more than full. The
, old boots seemed fairly wild with de
light, and Lawyer Flint could not, tc
save his life, help laughing at them a
they skipped and slipped and danceC
along the sidewalk.
Away they led him, out of the avenue
, down the dark side streets, until h'
, heard the sound of children singing. II
| this direction the old boots hastened ant
: stopped before the house from whenc
| the singing came. Up the steps the.
| went; the door opened, and somehow
the LAWYER, too much fustered and con
: fused to know how it was exactly, foun'
t himself in room filed with children
1 and a lovely lady was saying to him
@ "Ahl you're in time, sir. Thank you 81
much. We haven't distributed the pres
" cuts yet. You will make good man
8 little hearts glad tonight, sir" And a
: around him was warmth and light an
a music and q clattering of happy tongues
n and altogether such joyous atmospher
as he would not have believed could POI
It sibly exist anywhere.
is "Good night Merry ChristmasT Th
n sound rang in his ears as he tollowe
er the lively old boots out of the door an
le back through the dark streets into tn
d avenue.
hSI wonder where they'll take m
- said, chuckling and laugmn
~" he continued, 81 ha
nSSllars in that pocke
gn't enough left to-
ps1ey go into cigar stor
gars are too great luxury I.
llyders Flint; not tonight, though"
= l,ughed. "Tll smoke tonight" and
n rame out of the store moment lat
he with q box of choice cigars in his hand
And then the old boots led him ba'
e. at moderate pace to his bachelor
quarters. He whistled softly as he I
he moved his coat and got into his dressil
9ft gown and slippers; then he lit cigi
ed threw himself into the big chair befo
Ike the fire and sat contentedly putting t
'ts fragrant smoke and watching it curl L
at- ward toward the ceiling, and he laugh
De, when from the closet he heard the
st, boots dancing again.
up Rattle-te, rattle-te, rattle-te-tat, r