The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-12-28

4 by these remarks, and did not concea
the self-conscious expression of his fact
as he took the volume and turned oveI
4 the leaves.
s.What does 1t cost?" he inquired.
j swell, the price marked on it is fifty
cents, but you know it's the last in the
lot and getting mighty rare. But I'll
let you have it for seventy-five cents
seeing tomorrow is Christmas"
| Well, the young man bought the
book and probably had his moneys
worth, as he seemed deeply interested
| in it's contents from that time forward.
The volunteer next attacked me, and
had no serious difficulty Of swindling
me out of twenty-five cents on a FIVE
cent package of cough-drops, which he
declared would cure any disorder Of
the human system in miraculously
short time.
The seat in front of mine was occu-
pied by a typical priest Now, | never
saw but two types of travelling priests
--one the German and the other Irish.
This one was Enthusiastically Irish
quite willing and ready for a tourna-
ment of wit-and match for the ire
pressible drummer. His sharp thrusts
at the salesman were applauded by the
little coterie of friends across the aisle.
1t seemed to me that the cunning RUDE
was purposely laying himself open to
give pointers to the priest. However
that may be, he managed to leave his
reverence poorer by silver dollar,
but in an excellent humor with himself
and all the world.
The Industrious salesman had by this
time proceeded beyond the range of
hearing, but was steadily gaining in
popularity, and as he progressed shouts
of mirth greeted him. Almost every
one entered into the spirit of the enter
prise, and his stock was considerably
diminished before he had passed out to
enter the next car, for it was the
smoker. and if he had successfully
broken The ice in our car he was just
the man to reap harvest amongst the
democratic and anarchistic smokers.
The original and only train boy was
an interesting sight. His dependency
had evaporated. He no longer put me
in mind of sick chicken on a rainy
day, unable to find comfortable shell
ter; his dependency had taken wings.
He no longer dropped, but sat erect in
his seat. His dough-colored face took
on q mahogany tint. The dull eyes
were sparkling with new light. Hope
had given him back his manhood and
courage. He could appear before his
humble family in the character of a
protector and provider. He could re-
spond to the welcome home as every
true man loves to respond with some
new comfort for those he loves. He
would come home with good tidings for
Christmas; for the jolly Samaritan had
sold enough in our car to insure his
hopes.
But here comes RUDE, returning from
mis- labors with an empty basket and |
but two volumes Of the disreputable
literature which forms the bulk of sup
oly for the trainboy-"The Mistakes of
Noses" and Nance" There is a smile
urking beneath his mustache-I can
letect it by the dimples in each cheek
land there is sunshine IN his eyes.
Six feet of you, Rube, and every inch
# you a mani would like to shake
lands with you, old fellow, for there is
! big heart humping under your vest;
! heart in proportion to yous great
'ody. No doubt you are sinner, Rube
we are all sinners, for that matter),
nut you are a saint on this Christmas
we. People disposed to be critical may
leplore your lack Of dignity and the
CYNICAL may say you have made an ass
# yourself; but that will not trouble
'ou, old fellow. Your face is aglow
With a brightness brought from heav-
My places, that ridiculous cap on your
lead is a crown of glory to you. Rube.
lou have preached for me an eloquent
ermon, a lesson of uses. You have
hown me that sentimental emotion is
4 no value or account. Benevolent
vishes are moral vaporings unless they
nd their ultimate in doings. The gifts
on possess you have cheerfully laid on
he altar of charity, all unconscious of
aving done anything for your own
lory, delighting only In the Joy you
ave bestowed upon your neighbor-a
Terry Christmas, Rube, and Happy
lew Yearl-Frank Beard, in Rams ,
[orn.