Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1899-02-15
THE CARPENTER.

/ tAkOubu AAo lNlcu MAIL 1OWu early OF
The morniL G OF the twsnty-ffth day o
December. Straight he went to th,
home Of the man who owned the town
all tho people in it, to mon, ihs wo
men, The children.
I They all belonged to The Boss
They worked for his money and paic
it back to him wet with their sweat ant
dirty with their CRIME.
They existed in his houses, they deal
at bis stores, they went to church
when they went at ALTO his church
they died in his beds, and were buriet
in his graveyard.
| Everytime they voted his ticket.
| The Stranger walked up the marble
paved walk fiat led to the mansion, q,
he didso = hungry, fierce bulldog rush
ed at him.
His clssr eyes caught the bleared
eyes OF the dog.
The dog stopped and commenced t.
laugh with his tail, as dogs have TO-
them licked his hands and followed
him.
The livsred ssrvani opened the door
The Strangcr,'raid ri want 10 see your
master"
"But not this early in the morning2"
Then the servant caught The Strang-
er's eye and bowling low said: Enter.
Pompous, proud, smelling Of money,
The Boss enters.
You want to see met"
"No, want to rent . house from
you"
"Why come to see nee! DO TO sec
my agent"
II prefer to talk 10 ycu."
Very well, very well. Ibslievs No.
7 Paradise Bow is empty"
ny mean No. 7 Poverty Flats,
shafts What the people call IT,"
"No matter about the name. You
can have it at eight dollars month. 4"
"You have only been rsesivi,g FIVE
for it,"
"Of, well, see my agent"
"The house needs repair"
DWELL tLen, repair it. By the way,
what's Jour bushes
III am q carpenter"
81 did not ask you for work."
"Any rsfersncesi"
"SiI months rent in advance"
Cali right, see Tom Plat; he is my
agent. Good morning"
"Good morning. A merry Christ
mas"
"Eb, what's that' Oh, yes, same to
you
As The Stranger went down the path
The Boss watched him.
Fine young fellow, how erect he
walls, but somehow do not like him"
There came a knock at the door Of
Tom Platts humble home.
He opened the door himself to greet
The Stranger, "Gcod morning, come
IN, eIcuis our appearance, il is Christ
mas morning and We are having q late
breakfast. This is my boy, Tom, il.
I carry him just for fun, you sre."
And tear dirnmed his eyes .s b.
pointed to the twisted legs Of the 10y.
"This is my wife and there are the
balance OF the children. Pretty numer-
Gus, but not one too many. Did you
want to see me on businsssl"
eyes, l saw The Boss. He sent me
to you. want to rent No. 7 Poverty |
Flats. Here is air months, rent in ad- |
vance at IS Per month"
"All right stranger. sci up and have
some breakfast"
They gathered sround the humble
BOARD.
The Stranger bowed his head and in
! few words returned thanks.
Tie crippled boy left his fathers
NEE and slimbed up into The Strang-
rs arm.
Never had they had such a breakfast.
'om was radiant.
"Why Matte this steak is done 10 o
urn, lilo biscuits are grand and this
offse is nee ~, and look hsv the CHI
rem gather around Abe Stranger"
Laughter and merry jest resssured
10 breakfast
And when The Stranger wanted 10
aavs til. children begged for suoths r
Tory. And he fingered with them.
Finally Tom Plat. walked down She