The Washington times., 1895-01-01
Hour For Hour.

day of December in 'S4 lacked u single sign
that would enable one TO picture the Ideal
Christmas OF a snoW-covered ground without
and turkey feast within. 1t was green
Christmas: an incessant rain made walking
disagre atle, and to an observer it seemed
that the thousands of bunde-carriers pre-
ferred to shield their precious packages from
the rain IA ther than protect themselves. Each
burrying individual carried a package Of
happiness for dear ohes Mt home. with his
MN and thoughts at his own hreside lar in
advance of his arrival.
No exception TO the above was James Far
ron who. on quitting his business Tor the
day, set about making purchases for the
family reunion OIL Christmas night. Having
coL pleted his purchases. there was still
task before him. he won d 90 To the telegraph
Office and send message OF Christmas greet
ing TO his eldest son. who was spending the
winter in California for his health. This son
would be the on!y me missing from the FAM
lily circle this Christmas night. Meeting an
acquaintance also about to send a telegram,
they entered the office together, and alter
their messages were delivered his aequaint-
ance addressed the OF orator with the remark:
''Your Office seems deserted tonight; what's
the matter;"
''0h. all gone to hang up their stockings
ctll ESuOIlA anu teDil0u the OpeIdlOI.t tL
the same time adding, land he wouldn't be
here If be lad home to 20 TO-"
Whom do you call Shortly" asked James
Farron.
''Why. the little messenger asleep over on
the bench, replied the operator
Heads were turned at once toward the little
lad IN bu!e. who at the iirst mention OF his
name rghted himself on his seat.
do you know, remark James Farron,
/ have peculiar ideas about some things-I
believe a mans sorrows anu pleasures are
about equally divided in this world aud that
IL Is a duty we owe our fellow-men 10 secure
for him when possible an hour OF happiness
rather than one which would be, iii the ordi-
nary sequence, an hour OF anx. ETY.. care, or
trial. and practIcing what 1 preach. he con-
t:nued. II am going to start IN on Shorty. as
you call him.
Going up to the lad he asked him where he
expected TO eat his hrisimas dinner and
where he would hang up his stocking A
tear trickIed dewn the boys check as he an
swered:
"iister. maybe Jimmie, what's on with me
nights. will bring me up TO his house, aud If
he don't"
Here The little fellow covered his eyes with
the shreds Of an old handkerchief. and be-
tween sos tried to explain how happy bis
Christmas was year back with bis mother
and how he WAS now alone and neglected.
Iad words beeu ut his command he would
Iave told Mr.. Farron that the flame OF his
5oyish hoges went cut with the death OF his
dearest treasure, his mother.
1t was evident the men were deeply affected
by the little lads tale, fOt Immediately James
Farron bade the Toy look up. remarking:
There is a riEhter day in store for you, my
hey; so cheer up and tell me what will make
your Christmas happy one. What would
yon have Santa Claus bring you:'
Here the 10Y eyes frightened. and with
look clearly doubling the existence Of such
IN individual as Santa Claus be replied
Turkey an a ra;n-coat."
With that James Farron placed a new crisp
$40 bill in lhe boys hand adding. Now you
will have both, and turning to his aoquaint-
ance he remarked: I've yet TO see the day
when l gave an hour OF pleasure 10 another
tnat did not receive one in return"
Tightening their coats about them, and
after wishing Shorty and the operator
merry Christmas, they left the office for their
happy homes.
Shorty's cup of happiness was filled to over
lowing; he could not get ont soon enough
10 purchase tbs rain-coat, and in less than
twenty minutes he was back in the Office
with rubber coat that reached to his heels
The Temperature of the Office was in the
SOS, nevertheless he persisted in wearing
the coat throughout the night. and even when
the first light of day dimmed the gas jets i'll
the Office the coat was still doing service for
Shorty in his nap upon the b n-h-
Christmas day was a bright one for Shorty
and on entering the office for the nights
work, his only regret was thai it had cleared
up, and Tor the present his coat must hang
from the nall on the wall. Glutted with tur-
ker, dressing. and cranberries. he sat upon
the bench, han S in his pockets aud feet out
stretched. The look upon his face revealed
a picture OF coutentment; it was evident he
was satisfied with the world. Presently the
click of 'trppniyprf' caupht his and
anticipating Il trip. he stepped to the opera
tors table, where he was informed there was
"a rum for him. Reading the message be-
fore The operator sealed it, he observed it was
a notification to James Farron that his son
had died that night In Los Angeles, and he
Immediately exclaimed:
why that's the man that bought me the
raincoat''
Receiving the message he started on its de-
livery and was soon at his destination. He
found the home OF James Farr3n blaze of
lights from cellar to garret. and ascending
the steps he peered in through the half-drawn
curtain. The family reunion was at Its
height; even the baUe in the high chair
biDDed ana securely fastened beat time with
turkey leg on the arm of his chair TO the
romps OF the older ones around the Christmas
tree With his hand upon the bell Shorty
hesitated. and after pondering a moment,
Withdrew ii with the remark:
THAT kind man made Christmas happy for
me, now I'll do It Tor him and deliver my
message in the morning"
Noiselessly stepping down the steps he was
back at the office, but never for moment
did he mention the fact of the non-delivery of
the message
The next morning after quitting work he
headed for James Farron's house and found
him in front OF his residence about to start
for his office. Shorty handed him the mes
sage; he opened and read it.
The blow TO James Farron was terrible
one. and for a moment he stood bewildered.
When reading it a second time he observed it
was day late IN its delivery. Angry over its
delay. he in orued the boy he would cause
trouble to the one responsible for 1t. The toy
then spoke up.
''Mr. Farron," said he, ''you made my
Christmas happy and heard you say as how
you never gave an hour of happiness to any
one that you did not get it back. | came to
your house with the message last night, and
peeping in. [ found you all happy as l used
to be. and knowing that the message would
do just as we'll in the morning, | says to N.Y.
self that kind man will eney his Christmas,
too. and he won't k w his roubles tonight. ,
So when | kept that message from you on
Christmas night I was doing what you said
about being paid back.
At this james Farron receipted for the tele-
gram. and, clasping the boy by the hand. an
swered:
my boy, you did indeed give a fitting illus
tration of its truth, and in Withholding the
worst from me last night you paid me back
hour for hour.'''
-aNh
Dresses for Dancers
81, IolY