The record-union., 1894-12-22

was so impre ssed by these lively anec-
dotes, which he foreign Emperor OF
course accepted as fact, rather than
American wit, that after moment OF
deep thought he had replied with stately
emphasis:
''Mr. Pellew, our bond-holders and you
officials should transfer your railway to
the claimants, and then turn claimants
yourselves ~
The President of the Great Central had
told this story again to-day, rather petu-
lantIy, to the General Solicitor and the
latters corps of assistants, at special
meeting which had been held TO consider
the company's alarming increase of
claims, particularly the death and injury
claims, and had concluded the Interview
with remarks of the most determined
character.
Fight every case to the last court of
resort?' he said peremptorily. "Defeat
every one at all hazards. The most COM
passionate Christmas gift every one OF
these claimants could receive would be
the absolute knowledge that the Great
Central will never pay claim of any
character, unless under compulsion.
W hat misery all Of this class would be
spared if they could learn TO bear their
little losses precisely as do corporations
impersonally -
1t could not therefore be denied that
Iauncey Pellew was a man of feeling.
Men OF feeling in these great posi-
tlons have their moments of wearin ass,
OF physical weakness, of discouragement,
like US all. And while all these plain
matters OF business may seem at first
glance to be out of place in a Christmas
story, they are still OF prime importance
III showing Launcey Pellew's peculiar
physical and mental attitude to the world
at large at this time, all OF which hap
pened to put IN motion most curious
and unusual series of events.
They explain, too, why the railway
President, IN his private office or among
the mem oers of the still lingering direct
ory, or. when by chance in the various
general offices would slap this one or that
one faniliarly but still querulously upon
the shoulder, while eXclaiming:
suppose you will be at the old Christ
mas hubbub day after tomorrow, but L
won't. Pm going to nave the first really
quiet Christmas OF my life"
SO, in his own private office, when the
political, social, religious or charitable
embassies came, he evaded them jocu-
larly and yet peevishly with:
''See here now, gentlemen, or ladies,
you will have TO excuse me until after
Christmas. Pm going into retiracy for
that one day. You must let me get little
used to 1t beforehand"
Everything that could be postponed
was now put aside The Presidents
whim and his unusual irascibility had
become known throughout the depart
ments. Even the porters and pages
crack ed jokes between themselves in the
halls about the matter and grimaced at
callers over 1t.
Along toward evening of the day in
question, he told his private secretary,
for the thirtieth or fortieth time, that he
was really determined TO have one quiet
Christmas, and that the secretary had
better trundle off home.
Should he come Tomorrow the Secre-
tary asked.
On, yes. he might come tomorrow for
a little time in the morning. There might
be some kilograms to be written to shut
down on certain irrepressible parties who
would surely attempt to communicate
with him and destroy his plans for
Christmas. Things better quiet down
now as soon as possible in all the depart
mentS.
You might step around. Dick, before
you go and just pass the word to that
effect" said the President, rubbing his
hands as If IN ruminative enjoyment of
his anticipated day of absolute rest.
''All right, sir. Certain you don't want
anything more of me this afternoon
Certain, Dick, only to say" he sud-
denly added, as with some unaccOuntabie
foreboding, that, now that L have deter
mined on perfectly quiet Christmas
the first one in my life, Dick-and have
got every body into the attitude of avoid
ing me, L don't know but it will be the
lonesolnest day of all my life.''
''Oh, no. sir; surely not,' returned the
Secretary gaily. something III no doubt
happen TO stir you up II bit.'
"Probably, probably. Anyhow, am
going to sit here by the fireplace a little
while, and don't wish to be disturbed.
Tell the porters L am not out of the build
ing yet. Goodnight, Dick"
'GoOd-n ight ~ came back heartily from
the softly closing door, and the great rail-
way President was alone with his plans
for the one truly quiet and restful Christ
mas OF his life; alone with his thoughts
However desperately great men may
occasionally long for seclusion, the mo-
mept that the consciousness OF silence
takes full possession of their faculties
they Instantly become the cringing slaves
of oppressive doubt and dread.
Lauucey Pellew's mood was an over
wrought and sensitive one. The abused.
hurt ana sore American nerve was ting
lingly and QuIverlngly y tense within him.
Tie sputter and crackIe of the blaZ-
ing Goals in the fireplace worried him,
The lively staccatos which now and then
chirped Dravely from the telegraph in
struments beside his Secretary's desk,
were an impertinence. The occasional
clicking of the electric current in the in
candeScent lights annoyed him; and even
the Su pdued SOU udS OF distant softly clos
ing doors were now like the laundering
of cannon III his ears.
He walked rapidly abouuthe room for a
little time iii his effort to dispel the
strange feeling of oppression upon him.
AS he returned to his chair he spoke
aloud fretiully and complainingly:
II wish / had asked Dick to sit here for
little while with me!''
Even his own voice had begun, at least
so it seemed TO himself, to hold tone OF
fretfulness, high pitched and almost
snarling; characteristic he despised in
others.
"Whew" be calculated shaking him
self up, as if arousing another from be-
lated slumber. Come, come, Launcey
Peliew! This won't do. You know DIR.
Gammond says, Prolonged irritability is
a sure precursor of insanity and that
when the nerves begin to persist in do
Ing double duty look out for paralysis
and collapser This little bit of rest
I'm TO have Christmas will come none
| too soon."
| lie took another turn about the great
room; stood hesitatingly moment here
ana there IN front of the splendid bronzes,
| the priceless marbles and the rare carv-
| lngs which his wealth and perfect taste
nad laVishly provided; but distraction
rather than placidity resulted from this
| attempt at mental diversion.
lie returned to his chair, flung himself