Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-12-23

ONE OR TWO PASSJ NGERS TURNED AND
LOOKED AT HIN.
How? Suddenly, without warning and
mercy. Even as ruin had darted upon
him should the blow descend upon Ray
mond.
When? AT night Night, with its aw-
full silence and mystery, should surround
and envelop the deed.
Where? In his own house-the house
Raymond had stolen from him. Ia its
fancied security, in its seclusion and ele-
gance, within calling distance of-of-
his wife-if possible. would the ..,ur-
derer find him.
The man in tn2 corner Of the car
laughed aloud. Ore or two passengers
near turned and looked at him, but
quickly withdrew their eyes. There
was no contagious 3nirth in that laugh,
and the smile on the cruel face was the
smile of fiend.
That night he crawled into slovenly
bed in a cheap lodging house on the east
side. He missed tie lonely cell to which
he had become accustomed, and found
himself wondering il they would give
him his old quarters when he went back.
Next day he prowled about the muddy
streets seeking work. 1t was Christmas
week, and everybody was too busy to
listen to him. He ate sparing1y and
boarded his little roll Of bills, counting
them over and over. A strange attrac-
ton lured him to the neighborhood Of
the bank where he used to work. At
the close of the sOmber day he stood
and watched the we'll dressed, we'll
groomed men emerge from the build
ing. "That is the way [ used to look"
he said to himself, and then glanced
down at his plain clothes and coarse
shoes.
At night the Bowery glittered with
rows Of lights that twinkled like evil
eyes. johnson tramped for many
blocks, pausing now and then to gaze in
the windows at the Christmas decora-
tions. There was one display which
fascinated him. In cutters window
were stars, crosses and other emblems
formed of smooth, shining, sharp edged
knives. johnson looked steadily at
them for long time. Then he went in,
and selecting one particularly wicked
blade paid for it from the little roll of
bills, thrust it in the breast pocket of
his coat and resume his tramp.
christmas, Chris tmas," he muttered
as he plodded on. What is Christmas
to me? I'd like to give John Raymond
a Christmas present, curse him." and
then suddenly he thought what fine
thing it would be to drive that knife
home in Raymond's heart and attach
piece of paper to the handle bearing the
inscription, "a Christmas present from
loving friend"
"Tll do it," he exclaimed. Eyes, I'll do
it on the night before Christmas. What
merry Christmas il will be for me-"
People brushed against him in the
throng. Children shrank at sight of his
scowling face. On, on he went, I'M
mindful Of his surroundings.
Suddenly he pau ed before great
building into which crowds were pour
ing. He joined the throng and drifted
in. There were lights and music. Some
body-a man with clear baritone voice
was singing something. To the ears Of
the Ishmaelite stole these words:
I've found a friend in Jesus;
He's everything to me;
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul,
The Lily of the Valley.
In him alone see
All need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
Then suddenly the great audience rose
to its feet and responded:
He's the Lily of the Valley,
The Bright and Morning Star;
He's the falrest of ten thousand to my soul.