The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-12-27

sHE BROUGHT IN A LAMP AS HE DREW on
HIS SHOES.
for it would be futile. 1t was too late
for speculation. What good to analyze
the past for causes when the irresist-
ible. impending effect was upon him
when it had not only knocked at his
door. but had entered and stood wait
ing. beckoning and impatient?
The old year was going out. So must
he. too. 60 out. like big candle. but
whittier? What care does old Time
take of his children. the dead years:
Where do wearied souls find haven
when the clay which gave them tene-
ment is cold? He propped his back
with pillows and sat up in bed. staring
out the window into the falling gloom
of the short December afternoon. but
seeing not even the scattered hakes OF
snow banished from a few scurrying
clouds marking the winter sky with
swift changing formations. HIS
thoughts were retrospective. but domi-
mating them all in gloomy monotone.
like the irreverent booming Of deep
toned bell marking q sunken reef. tell
ing of destruction standing with jaws
agape, was that one he could not es-
cane if he would-he was done; be
was done; here was the end!
The barren room, i'll clad even for
that Door tenement, excited his disgust
as with long groan he came back 10
his surroundings. 1t smelled evil. too.
like a basement dive, for he had slept
there long-how long he hardly knew
aud it reeked Of his potations. He got
up unsteadly and, drawing on his
trousers. flung up window overlook
ING the street. The fresh. keen air
rushed upon him bitingly, but he SEEM
cd not to feel its sting. Leaning far
out. he drank it eagerly. Lighted cars.
filed with home going people who
seemed gay. hurried past on North
Clark street, parkward. to the runic
rhyme Of the cable. to the changing Of
the bells the grpmen gave voice in
warning or in greeting. Most of the
passengers carried little bundles. Some
Of them held boughs or wreaths of dec
olative evergreen. Tomorrow would
be the New Year They were going
home. c2utcnt. perhaps with good res
olutions. Going where? Home! Where
was his home? What was it? He shiv-
cred and, shutting down the window
drew to the pile Of huddled clothes
which lay upon the floor beside his bed.
The door behind him opened softly.
letting in a shaft of yellow light from
the room beyond. and it threw across
the floor. even to his feet. the shadow
Of the woman who loved him. AS she
stood there. looking uncertainty into
the dusk where he sat obScured. his
eyes were still bent upon that Sill
houette. picturing on the coarse mat
ting her waved hair. her fair c%tlire.
all grace and dear womanhood, all his
the pearl he had won as prize in life's
tourney and flung away.
"Georce!' his wife called gently.
"Are you getting up:'
He grunted roughly. for in truth a
new kindled emotion choked him. aud
ne would not trust his tongue.
AS if in echo of his voice there came
from the lighted room the Souul Of
Gathering blocks and falling tin. 2
swift patter of little feet and an eager,
childish treble crying out glcefu|ly:
son. mamma. is papa up
A boy Of G years ran past his mother
and. with instructive seeking. like steel
to magnet. plunged through the semi
darkness straight into his fathers
arms with shout Of joy.
The man cuddled him close. but be-
meath his breath uttered something
like another groan.
Santa Claus is coming tomorrow.
papa" the child said. and as the man
sat still. only huSging him closer. he
| wen! on: Because. you know. he
couldn't get here Christmas. be was so
! busy. and there were so many poor
| children be had TO see. But he's com
| ing tomorrow. Mamma said so, d!dn'
| Won, mamma? Ard, sGy"-ue put II