Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-01

al BELIEVE THEY ARE GOING QUE"
to himself; and more astounding yet
was the fact that he did want to boy
some candy for Christmas. and that he
really stood there pocketbeok in hand
waiting for it.
Rattle-te-rat, te-rat-te-rati
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
him lively chase before the evening
was over. Again he was in the biting
air, but the warm blood coussed 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. Tho
old boots seemed fairly wild with de-
light, and Lawyer Flint could not, to
save his life, help laughing at them as
they skipped and slipped and danced
along the sidewalk. Away they led him,
out of the avenue, down the dark side
streets, until he heard the sound of
children singing. In this direction the
old boots fastened and stopped before
the house from whence the singing came
Up the steps they went; the door opened,
and somehow the lawyer, too much Gus
tered and confused 30 know how 1t was
exactly, found himself in room filed
with children, and lovely lady was
saying to him: "Ah, you're in time, sir.
Thank you so much. We haven't dis
tributed tie presents yet. You will
make a good many little hearts glad to-
night. SIR" And all around him was
warmth and light and music and clat-
tering OF happy tongues, and altogether
such joyous atmosphere as he would
not have believed could exist anywhere
Goodnight Merry Christmasr' The
sound rang in his ears as he followed
the lively old boots out of the door and
back through the dark streets into the
avenue.
II wonder where they'll take mo
now9" he said. chuckling and laughing
softly. "Gadl'' he continued, 81 had
more than forty dollars in that pocket
book, and there isn't enough left to-
hello-there they go into cigar store.
HIM, cigars are too great luxurg for
Harders Flint-not tonight, though"
he laughed. "IlI smoke tonight
and he came out of the store moment
later with box of choice cigars in his
hand.
And then the old boots led him back
at moderate pace to his bachelor quar-
tiers. He whistled softly as he removed
his coat and got into his dressing-gown
and slippers; then he lit cigar, threw
himself into the big chair before tbs
fire and sat contentedly pulling the
fragrant smoke and watching 1t curl up
ward toward the ceiling, and he laughed
when from the closet he heard the old
boots dancing again.
Rattle-te, rastie-te, rattle-te-rat rat
Observation-Disclosures
"They must be tired" thought the
lawyer, as the lively rattle dwiRdled
into regular, monotonous tapping.
Then he started. sat up straight and
opened his eyes. The tapping did not
come from the closet, but from the hall
door. 1t was Joe. como to replenish the
fire. "I've been dreaming" said Lawyer
Flint to himself. He TUNED his back
to the fire, looked over toward the closet
and smiled. Then no walked to the
window and looked out into tho street.
He took out his watch and looked at it,
while light shone in his eyes and his
mouth worked curiously.
There's time enough yot," he said.
and Joe was surprised to see him hurry
on his coat and hat; but not half SO sur
prised as he was when he stood alone in
the room a moment later with big sill
var dollar II, his hand -Mnrria Malta
in Detroit Free Press.