The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-25
on which stood a plaster cavt 81 tho

ON which stood plaster cast or the
Virgin with hands outspread in bene-
dietfo1. Thomas had whispered talk
with Mrs. o'Duwd interrupted at fire.
queat intervals by such fervent excla-
nations as. 'Oh. dear. may your shadow
never grow lesss' MAY your wife never
attend Your funeral" etc.
At o'clock Thomas was walking Up
Roosevelt street with eager footsteps.
lie stopped at grovery store and made
purchase, then hurried up into Park
row again. The toy store nan was pis-
ting up hts shutters. but Thomas pro-
vailed on him Ia so inside, ard At 10
o'c.ock he was back in Middle Ailey
again. Tears OF delight filled Mrs.
oDowd's eyes as she met him at the
entrance 10 the alley and led him up
the labyrinthine staircase. There was
more mysterious whispering Then Mrs.
o'Dowd flew down stairs again to get a
bundle OF kindllng wood II was well
that Tommy was a sound sleeper. as
the fieetiug forms Or shadowy figures
and the rustic OF papers would have dis
turbed him.
II was hasf-past II when Thomas ar
rived az home and greeted his anxious
wife. When they retired Thomas said:
Molly, set the alarm for o'clock
tomorrow. and get your wraps ready.
for ! intend 10 take you along 10 help
play a joke on Tommy O'Dowd.''
She piled hiTn with questions. but he
gave her eyassve replies. Al o'clock
Thomas and his wife arrived at Middle
Alley.
rs ne awake?' he asked. anxiousiy
of Mrs. o'Dowd. who met them at the
door.
NO; the saints be praised. he's sleep
in like the dead. Come here al the dure
and watch"
The door had been thrown wide open.
but Mrs. o'Dowd had hung her Sunday
shawl over the opening. Behind the
folds OF this garment the three persons
watched and waited The blinds had
been carefully closed. 50 that not ray
or sunlight came into the room Three
kerosene lamps We're blazing with light
70 their utmost capacity II was pain
fully still ga the roagn. and by listening
Intently Thomas thought he could hear
the gentle breathing Of the little boy
As the minutes licked slowly away the
suspense was almost unbaarable. 4
movement IN the bed caught the ears OF
the listeners. Then the bcdeiothes were
thrown aside. and the little fellow sat
upright, apparently raralyzed with
amazenlent. Upon a little table between
the Windows stood q Christmas tree two
feet tall. stuck into the middle OF a
bundle OF wood The ligh. was reflected
from a hundred pieces Of rcd paper tied
to the scraN-ny houghs. a dozen red and
white popcorn halls hung like apples On
the limbs. Little candles twlnkled
through the sent foliage. while barber
pole candy a tin soldier and a jumping
jack were prominently displayed II
WAS an Ailadin-like scene. And before
this radiant Vision. like a saint before
a shrine. with hands clssped in ad0rlng
admiration. stood Little Tommy. while
hts mothe. was weeping tears Of Joy
with her face hidden I'm the shawl
Thomas and his wife stole quietly cut
and left them.
George. stop" said Mrs Thomas.
when they reached the corner Of Roose-
welt and Cherry streets. Uplifting her
face. whIch WAS convulsiveiy working
with tender en1oti0n. she sid:
What did IL cost 70 play that little
Joke on Tommy"
Just II cents. sweetheart" he re-
piled
They walked on Tor another block
Bat Mrs. Thomas vas bubollng over
with excitemcnt. and she stopped her
husband again ana cxclaiued:
But you haven't any Christmas pres
eot yourself"
s.ssoascnsss. Molly. haven't"
lie was Interrupted BY two soft arms
a~ound MS meek and a kiss. Then Nelly
began - cry. But George auicSl
soorhed her and as they sat Ga the ele-
waited car flying towards farleta. be
sss8s
Molly. I thought was a very much
abused man last nlehi. bat I've changed
my vgind tsitsuk I could walk from the
Battery 60 Harlem 80 sstp bubbles and
never burst a bubble to-day
MICKEY FINN