The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1899-12-29

"we've got a chicken and some nuts
! Bring in the lamp Kate" said
Halverson hoarsely, struggling up from
the clinging child 1--WE got to dress
and 60"
Supper is nearly ready" she said.
you'll eat with us, won't you? 1t
isn't often we have you nowadays.
George"
1--WE got to CO., he repeated.
She brought in lamp as he drew on
his shoes and fastened his suspenders.
He strobe to the little mirror in the
q cheap pine dresser and lathered his
face before it in silence. The boy
looked on in interested silence as he
began to shave himself. The woman
sat upon the bed and regarded him
wistfully but in silence also.
| The odor of stewing foods came from
the other rooms. The man nodded his
head significantly toward the open
door as his razor paused.
""The neighbors must have sent some
thing in," he said, with bitter sheer,
''or was it the county agent? What's
all this talk about Santa Claus any
way? Have you been hooking your
own child again? Aren't things bad
enough without that"
His tone was harsh, and the woman
smiled pathetically. She answered
gently:
"a mother doesn't mock her baby.
George will have all he has been led
to expect tomorrow anyway. And it's
the New Year. George, dear'-she rose
and came to him, putting her hand Oh
his shoulder-'it's the New Year, full
of hope, if not Of promise. Can't we
be brave together? You always have
said you wanted only chance; that
something must turn up. Perhaps it
will when the New Year comes"
He shook the hand away, and the
razor cut his cheek.
'You must have had windfall," he
snarled as he stanched the wound
''You talk like you might be an heiress.
It wasn't the neighbors, them?
'"rhere was no windfall," she answer
ed slowly. Il was only trying to hold
on for your sake and-and his. l had
a ring, you know"
Her voice faltered, and he wheeled
sharply, looking into her face. She
held up her bare left hand and smiled
into his eyes bravely for one fitting
moment. Then she flung herself prone
upon the bed shaking with cOnvul-
sive sobs. The child ran to her and,
buryng his face in her skirts, cried
too.
Halverson made haste to finish dress
ing. AS he hurried into his ulster his
wife rose quickly and staid him with
gesture.
''YOu won't stay"
II can't" he muttered surlily. II
have an engagement"
you'll be back tonight?"
"Where else could l go?" he answer
ed, but his eyes evaded hers.
George" she said pleadingly, 'to-
morrow will be New Years. There is
something 1 wish you would bring me
home tonight for a New Years gift.
VIII you" His wife chung to him as
she spoke. both arms around his neck.
what is it?' he asked. His throat
was full of husks, but his manner
softened. The boy crept to him and
wrapped him tight.
ga new man, George" she said bro
kenly
He kissed her, stopped and kissed the
boy and went out without a word.
HalverSOn walked with uncertain,
hesitating steps eastward in the dim
bystreet to Clark. Empty cars were
ri ~
The sky was clearing, and the night
promised fair. Along the great artery
of the North Side, smooth in it's new
dress of asphalt, the brilliant electric
light shone in farfetching lanes,
milky way fallen to gross earth. AS
the bell of an approaching train her
aided it's coming he felt mechanically
in his pockets for fare. There was
nothing. Struggling closer into his col
lar, he started riverward, walking
more briskly now. He was shivering,
although we'll clad, and within a block
he entered a saloon. The barkeeper
was alone.
81 guess you'll have to let me have
one on credit till next time, Dick" said
Halverson, with affected briskness.
Its pretty sharp outside, old man.
Off the shelf, please"
The barkeeper looked at him curious
ly as he poured out glassful of whis-
ky and drank it eagerly.
"You look like ghost, sure enough"
his host commented as Halverson set
down the glass. what have you been
doing to yourself, my son?"
A roistering party of young men
burst through the doorway before
Halverson could answer. He knew
them all, and they greeted him effu-
sively.
Were out for sport tonight, Geor-
gle, my lad. Come along and see the
old year out Be a good fellow cried
one, Shaping his back with jealous
energy.
Halverson laughed. "Im broke to-
night, Charley" he said airily, as if it
were joke he could not but relish.