The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-12-22


met was The hummer Of this town.
Very few people know who the hummer
is and therefore we will describe him. He
ls ono OF Street & Walkers clerks. His
business is to- walk UP and down the
streets overy day and every hour IN the
day to keep them well packed. Il is
furthermore his duty to stand around the
store and on the street Corners and toll big
yarns. Ii stranger comes into town he
inquiries his name, where he is from, his
business aid where he expects to go when
nc leaves and various other things. So
THIS being the duty OF The Bumm er il il
natural thai he should Be the first cue to
meet the pornpous gentleman The Bum
nos. msr feeling it his duty approached the gorg:
eously dressed gentleman aud began to
fire Questions at him 80 thick aud fast that
that gentleman stood tack in perfect as
tOnishment, Not being used to being
treated that way he told tho Bummcr II
hc would give him an opportunity he
would explain himself. The Bummef
prepped himself up agsinss one OF the
Trees on the sidewalk aud told the stranger
to proceed. "Well am here to find out
all the children in this beautiful little town
he said 81 expect 10 make them visit
Christmas eve night and l want to meot
gentleman Of this town who can tell me
all about them" "Well," said tho Bum
mer, II can't understand why you want
to know so much about the children of
this town. How do you expect 10 wish
all OF them Christmas eve night, and what
goou would il do you to visit the children
at night when half Of them would be
aslecp:' ''Oh," said the old man I per.
teive you arc Il little dull of understand.
Ing, but if you will promise not to give me
away will tell you all" The hummer
promised aud the old man stated that he
was Santa Claus. He said he was buyin.
his Christmas tricks and pesents for all the
children and wanted 10 visit the stores i'm
town and add to his already large supply
OF nice things. The Humme took In tho
situation at ontt and told old Santa that
he would be glad to accompany him to
any or all the stores and assist him in any
way he could.
The hummer caught old Santa by the
arm and said that as they were nearest the
store Of
HAGoOD, BRUCE & CO.,
they would visit that first. On entering
Mr. Brnce. who is always kind andspolite.
asked If there was anything he could show
them, and old Santa informed him thatlhe
wanted to make son,e Christmas purchases
The first thing that caught the old mans
eyes, was boots, boots, boots, and he
laughed heartily to think how some good
little boy would look slashing around in
The mid with his pants stuck In the tops
OF his boots blowing tin horn and pop.
ping fire crackers. So he provided him.
self with several pair and then thinking
how nlcc it would be to have some little
hats to match the boets, bought some of
Them. Looking over to the right on the
shelves he spied some nice dress goods and
said to the nu inner Il. cannot forget In .
sweet young ladics,' and bought a pattern
or two of fine cashmere. Old Santa
seemed to be lost in wonder as le cast his
cVes from show case to show case and
from shelf to shelf. After purchasing
some of those beautiful gold collar and
cum buttons and hair and breast pins he
told Mr. Bruce he would have to visit all
the other stores and would go.
AS he started he noticed show case
1ull OF ribbon and said he would be Obliged
to get some for the girls which he did.
All the while Gene and Ben could hardly
restrain tn msc YES and would frequently
quit their customers TO get a peep at the
pompous gentleman not knowing who he
was. Budia ag Mr.. Bruce kind alieu he
went out and The hummer carried him iEtc
the furniture store of
". 7. MCFAlI
Now everybody knows Mr.. hcFnll. III,
Alnlanack man. llc 10 q man who like
pnnn but he never fails to state pha,
when called on. Mr.. McFall showed Ole
Santa his nice furniture and ask him il
he wanted anything in that line. Santa
said Yes that there were some old prund
mothers that he wanted TO make feel proud
once more and ordered three or four OF
those nicc large, rocking chairs sent to til On,
They then went into the other store and
old Snnta feasted his eyas on all the pretty
things and the things 10 please the children
lie hat package upon package OF nuts,
rnisins, dolls toys and christmas tricks of
all kinds put up. He did not forget the
fireworks and laid himself in good sup
ply, While he was makirg his purchases
Uncle Mike stepped in the door aud saw
old Santa and said "Well by gun" and
turned and walked out. Some one watch
cd him and he went into the furniture
store and looked III the mirror. Upon be.
inS asked what was the matter said: ~
did not know whether l was myself or
whether that fellow in the other store was
me-"
Old Santa finished his purchases at Mfr.
McFnlls and told him to tell his beys to
hang up their stockings near the fircplsce
and to 60 to bed early christmas eve night
Tor he would be around. Thanking Nc.
All lol iilSkInuneSS he called The hummer
and they walked up to the store OF
AR. Z. u. ifAERls.
When they stepped into the door, The
hummer says: "lIelo Brother Harris
how was you" digging bait" said MI
Harris. Mr.. Harris is comparatively a
new merchant but he just digs bait" ali
the time. Old Santa was astonished to
sec the apples, oranges, fancy and plain
candy in any shape or style it could be
wished for. When old Santa looked at
the horns, whistles, toels, toys &c on
another counter he wiltcd and almost split
his sides. .IIc was so overcome that he
said he really did not know what 10 e.,
and told Mr.. Harris toput him'up something
OF everything nice to please the children.
Whiie The Bummer, old Santa and MIR.
Harris were talking, Mr. M. f. Hester was
standing around making all sorts of SIGNS
and GESTURES with his bands, and becoming
so restless he vcnturcd to induire if old
santa was not MI Alliauccman in distress
Hfter joke or two and hearty laugh old
Ssnta picked up his budget and h. ard tho
bum'ncr made few steps and wulkcd into
MR. A. N. NORRIS
store. Now, Mr.. Morris is known all over