Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1895-12-24
AMBER GLASS.
AsCHRISTMAS STORY.

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I'm Louisville met old Colonel Hablin,
and he urged me to go home with him.
my people are all off on visit, and
you know what it is for sociable old
fellow to be left alone, said he. "And,
by the way, you may not know it, but
/ have one of the most attractive places
in Kentucky, rambling old house, built
by my grandfather, and all that sort of
thing. Wait now before declining, for
must mention stronger induceuent,
one that gentleman can hardly with
stand-mint under amber colored glass.
Don't quite catch that, do you? Til ex-
plain, and you must pardon me if ap-
pear to ramble little. In Kentucky
during the latter part Of the spring, all
Of the summer and the first half of the
fall, a clodhopper can live almost as
we'll as one Of the bloods. And why? Be-
cause he can go along the spring branch
and gather mint, can hang about a still
house until somebody gives him quart
Of liquor to get rid Of him, and then all
be has to do is to grab handful Of
sugar, 60 away somewhere and live.
But during the off time, when the sharp
teeth Of the frost has raked the earth, he
can't get the mint, and therefore can t
live completely. Now, have suffered
from this incompleteness Of living and
have at last provided against it. have
"a mint dollhouse, and more than that,
tho sun rays are mellowed through am
ber glass, and''- The old gentleman
matched out a red bandanna handker-
chief and wiped his mouth "Have you
no handkerchief" he asked, noticing
that / had not wiped my mouth "What
sort Of man are you getting to be? But
what do you say? Going with me?''
II am"
Upon my shoulder he affectionately
laid his hand, unsteady with emotion,
and looking straight into my eyes he
said: "This world is going to the devil
as fast as it can, and when meet man
who is willing to turn aside and take
an interest in me, why, I CAD, it moves
me, sir. Now I'll tell you what we'll
do" he added taking my arm and turn
ing me about. "We'll go out there and
have an old fashioned southern Christ
mas. On my place are number of ne
groes that were born there, and to them
the revival Of an old holiday memory
will be-well, I hardly know what to
call it. but you shall see for yourself. -
We went straightway to the railway
station. the old man talking necessarily
Of his disappointment at the weakness
Of Christmas in the north. let him
talk. 1t was like the babbling OF an old
and dearly remembered stream whose
channel is worn deep and which holds
many a tender recollection, many rem
iniscent gurgle. had known him dur
ing many years. Once he was in the
state legislature, and as a newspaper
correspondent had reported his speeches.
! liked him, took the kink out Of his SEN
fences, made him say things to please
his people, and be warmed toward me.
On the train I sat and watched him,
living in the past with him. An old
mans charm is to live in the past To
be wholly cf the present makes him too
worldly, lover of money, and greedy
old man is a blight upon the face Of the
earth. sat and looked at this old man,
and I thought Of the days when his life
was lordly; when dusky hands clapped
In welcome at his return from school
when the music Of his hounds aroused
at dawn his sleepy neighbors; when
proudly he led to the altar the belle Of
the neighborhood. It was easy to review
his life. In society forever gone his
place had been secure
It was dusk when we got off at a sta
ton. A negro who had just lighted a
lantern adjusted it as he came toward