The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-12-25

tae IRE they walked. turned heels TO-
ward it an1 stood there wide apart.
Involuntary. Lawyer Flint claucel
up as IL expecting 10 see the rully. jov.al
face and plrtly form Of his Uncle Tom.
There were tAs boots j1,i as the old man
would have placed them, bat Uncle Tom
was not There.
Bless my sOul!" exclaimed the law.
yer. "br; this is mighty curious"
The toe Vi tie right boot began tap.
ping the carpet gently. then they moved
over to the window, stool still "a mo-
ment and then walked out into the hall.
way
Cad said Lawyer Flint excitedly.
81 believe they are going out. mus;
see the end Of this thing"
He threw of his dressing gown, hur-
ried into mis- shoes, overcoat and hat. and
followed the boots out OF the street door.
which had opened at their approach.
Down the steps they trippel gayiy and
turned toward the brilliantly lighted
avenue. The still, starlit night was bit.
terly cold. and Lawyer Flint shiyered as
he buttoned his heavy coat close NJ
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 trolden
snow, but made their way rapidly, never.
thcless.
Around the corner, into the avenue in
and out among the throngs of Christmas
eve pedestrians, lodging here and there.
stepping on foes, 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
They turned into big store Now"
thought Lawyer Flint, as he entered
the door. some one will be sure to see
them" but strange to say. the boots
were entirely unnoticed by the buzzing,
laughing. happy people vino thronged
the store.
The lawyer leaned against the toy
counter aud watched the Loots as they
shu!lled around on the floor.
"5o:aethinS for the lit;l. oncs:"
The question was asked by pretty
salesgirl. and il was addressed t. lar
ders Flint. He started and for the
first time realized that be was in
rather peculiar position. Why was he
standing aTound there, the people would
ask, if lie did not wish to buy? How
long would he BE- obliged to remain: He
couldn't tel. Should he say that he
was waiting fCr those old boots: No.
no: he didn't wish on any account to
call attention to the ridiculous perform
ance they Were going through.
Yes" he said, coloring. something
for the little ones;" and then he went
about selecting tin horns, and silver
bells, and woolly dogs, and wooden
monkeys and trumpets. and checkers, .
and dOm.noes, growing white and red
by turns Us he thought Of the fearful /.
extravaganza, and, ganciny' furtively, /
with increasing impatience and anger, |
at the boots, which seemed livelier tnan |
ever as his purchases increased.
Seven dollars and forty cents, please"
said the saiesgirl.
Into the silver ball went good ten
dollar bill! click, click, it shot upward |
and Sid across the cashiers desk, while
the lawyer groaned and waited for his
change.
Rattle-te-tat-te, ratt.e-te-tat-tc, rattle
te'tat-te, lat-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 Il Jolly little
fat man, glancing at the lawyers big
bundle. Il feel like dancing myself"
Change. sir; thank you. Merry
Christmas"
The exasperated lawyer grasped mis-
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 curious /
feeling that began now 10 steal over him, |
the like Of which he had never expert
creed before, or at least not for many
years, he sail to himself, as he stopped
before candy store and followed the
boots inside.
Candy fo- Christmas" He smiled
almost to think that he. Harders Flint,
should hear such a question addressed TO
himself, and more astounding yet was
the fact that he did wantsto buy some
candy for Christmas, and that he really
stood there, pocl;etbook in hand, wait
ing for it,
Rattle-te-tat, te-tat-te tat.
y smile broke over the salesgirls face
IL she handed him the package Of candy,
and away went the lawyer, after tho
boots, which seemed determined to give
him a Lively chuse before the evening
Was over. Again he was ia the biting
ar, but the warm blood coursed through
every vein in his body as he hurriei
along. Again and again they stopped,
Until the lawyers purse was nearly
empty and his arms more than full. Tne
Old boots seemed fairly wild with d.
light, and Lawyer Flint could not, 10
save his l!fe, help laughing at them as
they skipped aud slipped and danced
along the sidewalk.
Away they led lin, ont of the avenue,
down the dark side streets, until lie