The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-12-25

Jenkins" said the city editor, heres
five dollars Il lady sent us to give a
poor old chap up on Tenth street. You
see. she wants to know it reached him
and doesn't want to register letter.
for he must not know who sends it.
SO run up with it and get a receipt for
1t that we may send her."
was soon on Tenth street. The
number sought was a tumble down old
rookery. and the children snowballing
each other In the street stopped long
enough to tell me that old Mr.. Jones
lived OH the top floor.
'Come In" piped CHEEKY, shrill
voice as knocked on his door did
Seated by the window. nightcap on
bright eyed. gray haired. much wrin-
killed. old fellow. clean shaven and very
tall and stopped. merry Christmas"
he piped as soon as he saw me and
grinned affably. displaying few large
teeth that We're still white.
l stammered forth the conventional
answer. could do no more than
stammer It, for such a salutation in
such place quite staggered me. The
rickety bed. the unlighted stove, the
broken loaf Of bread on the bare little
table, the absence Of carpet. the two
| chairs, told the story Of deepest pow
erty at a glance. / hastily gave him
the money and took his receipt
'Sit down on that other chair and
gladden. my Christmas" said he "This
gift Of money is nothing to your COM
pany. l deserve It," he added little
pettishly. 81 have gladdened others
Christmas today"
You have?" I was impolite enough
to say in my bewilderment
"The BIRDS" said he, pointing out
the window to where few sparrows
on the fire escape were pecking at a
piece Of his loaf.
1T is this that has made you happy
today in spite off,
| 1T IS one Of the things. That was
my Christmas giving. 1t was all
could give until you came, but now
am under the necessity of seeking
human objects for my bounty. The
aims share of this Is too big for the
BIRDS"
"Can you find any poorer than your
self?' inquired.
Eyes, even in the palaces" he sale
solemnly. Rising and leaning on thu
long stick which he had kept beside
him. he thus went on:
II began my celebration of Christ
mas yesterday afternoon by going tt
the free library and reading Dickens
Christmas Carol For years l have
read it on Christmas eve-that Is, tt
fill myself with the true Christina.
spirit of charity, love, peace and goot
will. 1t always succeeds. Has any
millionaire in this great city begun
more wisely?
Having finished my reading, l walk
ed through the crisp, frosty air to thu
boulevard to enjoy the sleighing.
was very fine. Time was when l uset
to sit in one of those vehicles and e
the sport. l could not see the cutters
skim by. the rosy cheeks of the riders
and ran risk of spill. l could hea
no bells but those on my own team
but, ali, standing on the roadside-hov
different!
"The skating on the lake next inter
ested me, and l enjoyed it greatly
Home to tea next, with a keen appe
tite. Had a full larder and that appe
title would eat enough to be sluggish
and then l should not 60 out again
But a slice of bread, an onion and /.
cup Of black tea-no gluttony in that
yet enough.
II went out to do my Christina
shopping. Oh, l saw everything-al
the riches Of the earth displayed II
windows. Remember that the grea
delight in most of them Is In lookin,
at them, and that If they are persona
ornaments you cannot very we'll Sc
them after you put them on. feaste'
my eyes fully from the outside of tn
windows. 1t was the best Christina
shopping I ever did. and I have don
much shopping In my time. l can tel
you.
Midnight mass grand, celestial
No, sir; not a Catholic, but do not lie
that fact stand between me and ep
curean enjoyment.
Il slept the sleep Of the contente
man. sir, dreaming of the beautiful
bright skies and green fields and pleas
ant waters Of summer that are a
mine, sir. as much as a kings.
"See my Yule log!' He pointed to
, piece of camel coal beside the stow
. II will light that by and by. wi
. roast little Joint Of meat over 1t an
make me a little wassail-bowl c
cider with roast apple In tan
. when my pipe is lit and the stret
( lamp shines on the ceiling will reclt
for myself some Of the old miracl
E plays Of Christmas or sing an olde
I carOl'-
, "Pardon me-" said I. starting VI
S must 60. You tempt me to shal
your feast and lose my position.