Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-16

sucking pigs, long wreaths OF sausages.
mince pies, plum buildings, barrels of oys-
tiers, redhot chestnuts, cherry checked Gp-
Piles, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense
twelfth cakes and seething bowls of punch,
that made the chamber dim with their de-
licious steam. In easy state upon this
couch there sat jolly giant, glorious to
see. who bore a glowing torch, In shape not
unlike Plentys horn, and held 1t up, high
up to shed its light on Scrooge as he came
peeping round the door.
Come i'm exclaimed the Ghost. Come
In and know me better. mani" Scrooge
entered timidly.
said the Spirit Look upon met Scrooge
did SO.
You have never seen the like Of me be-
fore?' exclaimed the Spirit
Never. Scrooge made answer TO IL.
Have never walked forth with the
younger members OF my family: meaning
(for am very youns) my elder brothers
born In these later years. pursued the
phantom.
Il don't think have" said scrooge. Il
am afraid I have not. Have you had many
brothers. Spirtt?"
More than 1900" said the Ghost.
"A tremendous family to provide for"
muttered Scrooge.
The Ghost OF Christmas Present rose.
Spirit" said Scrooge submissively. CON
duct me where you will. i went forth last
night on compulsion and learned lesson
which is working now. Tonight. IL you
have aught to teach me, let me profit by IL %
Touch my robel"
serooge did as he was told, and held It
fast.
Holly. mistletoe, red berries. ivy. turkey.
geese. game, poultry. Drawn. meat, pigs,
sausages. oysters. pies, buildings, fruit, and
punch all vanished instantly. So did the
room. the fire. the rudy glow. the hour of
night, and they stood in the city streets on
Christmas morning. They went on, inyis-
ible as they had been before, into the SUI
6ur6s OF the town. 1t was a remarkable
Suanty OF the Ghost. that Notwithstanding
his gigantic size. he could accommodate
himself to any place with ease. and that
he stood beneath a low roof quite as grace
fully and like a supernatural creature as
Il was possible he could have done in any
And perhaps 1t was the pleasure the good
Spirit had In showing on this power OF his
or else it was his own kind. generous.
poor men. that led him straight to Scrooee's
clerks. for there he went, and took Scrooge
wi with -, him; holding to his robe. and
Bob Cratchits dwelling with the sprink-
lings Of his torch. Think Of that! Bob had
but fifteen Bob Q week himself; he pock-
eted on Saturdays but fifteen copies Of his
Christmas Present blessed his four-roomed
house!
Then up rose Mrs. Cratchit Cratch,t.s
wife. dressed out but poorly In q twice
are cheap and make q goodly showing for
sxpence; and she laid the cloth assisted by
Belinda Cratchit second OF her daughters,
also brave In ribbons. while Master Peter
Cratchit plunged q fork into the saucepan
OF potatoes. and getting the corners of his
monstrous shirt collar (Bobs private prop-
erty, conferred upon his son and hedr In
honor Of the day. into his mouth. re,oieed to
yearned to show his linen in the fashion ahle
parks. And now two smaller Cratohits, boy
and girl. came tearing In. screaming that
outside the bakers they had smslt dc
goose, and known 1t for their own: ana
basking In luxurious thoughts OF sage and
onion these young Cratchits danced about
the table. and exalted Master Peter Cratchit
to the skies, while he tnot proud, aithourh
his collars nearly choked hin) blew the are
until the slow potatoes. buboiing up,
knocked loudly at the saucepan ia u s.
let out and peeled.
them" said Mrs. crstchit AND ic yn.r
brother. Tiny Tint And Martha warut an
late last Christmas day by half An hour!'
Here's Martha. motherr' said . girL ap-
pearing as she spoke.
Here's Martha mothers cried the two
young cratchits: 'Hurrahi There's such
q goose. Marthaf''
why, bless your heart alive. my dear.
how late you arsI' said Mrs. Cratchit. kiss.
ing her a dozen times, ana taking on her
shawl and bonnet for her with ofhcious
zeal
night" replied the girl and had 20 cless
awav this morning. motherr'
We'll! never mind 80 long a. you are
before the fire. my dear. and have . warm,
Lord bless YER
mo. no! There's father coming.s cried
the two young Cratchits. who were every.
where at once. Hide. Martha, hide!-
So Martha hid herself. and In came little
Bob the father. with at least three feet Of
comforter. exclusive Of the fringe. hanging
down before him: and his threadbars
clothes darned up and brushed, to look
seasonable: and. Tiny Tim upon his Shout
der. Alas for Tiny Tim, he bore q little
crutch. and had his limbs supported by an
iron frame!
why. where's our Marthas~ cried Bob
Cratchit, looking round.
Not coming" said Mrs. Cratchft.
Not coming" said Bob, with Q sudden
declension In his high spdr1ts: foe h had