The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-12-27

HIS snoEs
for II would be futile. 1t was too late
for speculation. What good to analyze
the past for causes when the irresist-
lble, impending effect was upon him
when II had not only knocked nj his
door, but had entered aud stood walt
Ing, bcckonlng and INPATIENT
The old year WAS going out. So must
he. too so out. like big candle, but
whlther2 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? lie propped his back
with pillows and sat mp In bed, staring
out the window into the falling gloom
OF the short December afternoon, but
seeing not even the scattered flakes of
snow banIsEed from n few scurrylng
clouds marking the winter sky with
swift changing formations. His
thoughts were retrospective, but doml-
mating them all In gloomy monotone,
like the Irreverent booming Of deep
toned bell marking n sunken reef, tell
agape, WIS that one he could not es-
cape II he would-he WIS done; he
was done; here was the end!
The barren room. III clad even for
that poor tenement, excited his disgust
rs with n long groan he came back to
his surroundings. II smelled evil. too,
like basement dive, for he had slept
there long-bow long lie hardly knew
and 1t rocked of his potations. lilo got
up unsteadly and, drawing on his
trousers dung 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 II eagerly. Lighted cars,
filled with home going people who
seemed gay hurried past on North
Clark street. park ward, to the runic
rhyme OF the cable. TO the changing OF
the bells the grlpmen gave voice In
warning or In greeting Most OF the
passengers carried little bundles, Some
of them held boughs or wreaths of dec
oratlve evergreen. Tomorrow would
be the New Year. They were going
home. content, perhaps with good res
buttons. Going where? Home! Where
was his homer What was it2 He shiy-
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 shaft of yellow Hight from
the room beyond. and 1t 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. plcturing on the coarse mat
ting her waved hair, her fair outline,
all grace and dear womanhood. all hls
the pearl he had won as prize In llfe's
tourney and flung away.
"George." his wife called gently.
Are you getting upT'
He gruntcd roughly. for In truth n
new kindled emotion choked him. and
he would not trust lis tongue.
Az II In cello OF his voice there came
from the lighted room the sound OF
gathering blocks and falling Tin, n
swift pnttcr OF little feet and an enger.
childish treble crying ont eleefully:
"Dh, mamma. Is papa up
A boy of q 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,
neail his breath uttered something
like another groan.
"Santa Claus IL coming tomorrow
papa" the child said. and as the man
sat still. only hugging him closer he
went on: because, you know. he
couldn't get here Christmas, lac was Sc
busy. and there were so many pool
children he had to str l,ut he's com
Ing tomorrow. Mamma said so, didn'i
you, mammal And, say"-be put VI
his lips confidentially and whispered
Twelve got a.chicken and some nuts"
Bring In the lamp, Kate" said
Halverson hoarsely, struggling up from
the clinging child. "Pve got to dress
and 60"
Supper Is nearly ready" she said
you'll eat with us, won't your ]
isn't often we have you nowadays
George"
1--WE got to co." be repeated
She brought In lamp as be drew OF
his shoes and fastened his suspenders
He strobe to the little mirror In IN