The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-26

A pair of roller polo rooters discuss
ed from the Reservoir Town standpoint
the removal of the Clinton roller polo
team to Worcester. The memory of
recent controversy was in their minds,
and they spoke with bitterness of those
persons whom they thought instrument
tai in bringing about the change. Then
what was my surprise to hear the an
grier of the two abruptly terminate
his discourse with the statement, III
bet the Brockton team II whip 'em to
standstill," and the other man reply,
"Sure's you're born they will. then
and there convincing me that patriot
ism is a quality that does not follow
persons, but attaches to the soil.
While discussing an excellent hotel
Christmas dinner, Ed Gillingham who
has made a decided hit this week
at Lothrop's as a comedian. said:
Speaking of Christmas dinners, | Will
never forget one that | didn't get some
years ago. 1t was Christmas week, and
an opera company | was with gave up
the ghost, and there We were in New
York without a red. You probably
know how hard 1t is for an actor to
make an engagement in midWinter. It's
lucky I had friends who did the Good
Samaritan act. or ] would not be here
to tell the tale. A friend Of mine had
just secured an engagement with a
company, playing in London, and he
was to leave on Christmas day. "Old
man if l had the stuff, I'd pay your
way over" he said to me. II am sure
you could get a small part with the
company" OF course l thanked him
heartily for the interest he took in me
but London was too far to walk to
However, bright thought struck me
| went to friend of mine and got hin
to fix me out as a cattle tender on the
same boat my friend had engaged his
passage by. She sailed at noon. Just
as 1 was hurrying down to the dock,
received a note from a generous-heart-
ed man now dead-may his soul rest
in peace-inViting me to dinner at the
Hoffman. Imagine that Here | was
about to ship as a deck-hand, and will
stomach that was as empty as q
church treasury. Well l didn't get the
dinner. How l worked on ti!,,t blamed
old boat! The second day out, looking
aft, / saw my friend leaning over the
rail-well he was awful sick OF course
L NOIiuH l go " MN anu Ht lltNtl SdN
me until we landed. | tell you what
he was a surprised man. But he was
more surprised when he found the com
pany disbanded and the people pawn
ing their clothes to get passage home
My friend gave up a watch and a dia-
mond ring to buy his ticket, while
worked my passage back. And on re-
turning / got a small part with a mu-
steal company, but if l ever go broke
again I'll apply for the job of helper
on a cattle steamer"
Three little boys stood at .Ae orenel
of Front and Main Streets at 10 o'clock
yesterday morning They We're telling
each other what Christmas dinner wa
to be. They were dressed very mucl
in the same way, all of them, neatly
and warmly, but there most have beer
some difference in the circumstance
of their parents. I'm going to have
turkey for my dinner" said the frs
little fellow. my mammals baking 6
spare rib" said the second whats
your mamma cooking?" MY mammals
boiling hambone," replied the third
little fellow. Won't that be niece
said the first little boy, and they
marched off arm in arm with more true
democracy among them, it is to be
feared, than they will ever have again
The blind fiddler who plays the same
tune monotonous hour upon hour be-
tween Chandler and Front Streets or
Main Street was not at his post, yes
terday. Neither was the old woman
with the organette, who can generally
be found in the same neighborhood
The presumption is strong that they
were engaged in consuming their share
Of the Christmas bounty.
He had her Christmas present in his
pocket as they sat in the theatre and
he was waiting till they got home to
bestow the gift. It wonder what time
it is" said she as the play was near
ing its close. Il don't know, l haven't
my watch with me-" replied he just
then loud ticking seemed to come
from his coat pocket The pretty little
clock that he was carrying securely
wrapped up In a neat box, and which
he had thought would remain mute for
several hours, had begun to speak for
itself. My what's that" exclaimed
she; 1T sounds like a clock" The
youth grew red in the face, stammered
and looked confused, while the ticking
seemed TO grow louder and louder 1T
comes from your pocket" she said.
He could stand her remarks no longer.
There remained nothing for him to do
but produce the gift, which he had
while the occupants of near seats
smiled the smile of those who have
passed the stage of bashful love.
One of the funniest celebrations Of
the day was witnessed on Main Street
nearly opposite Mechanics Hall, yes
terday noon. 1t was while about 100
boys were waiting for their chance at
the free dinner given by the Saliva
ton Army. A young man whose name
is Michael F. Daley happened along
at once created disturbance by toss
ing a handful of pennies into the
crowd. The youngsters did not mind
the mud nor the hard stones. and the
scrimmage that resulted for those
pennies was never equalled on a foot
ball field. When the first lot was dug
out of the mud, Mr.. Daley tossed an
other lot to the boys and the scrap
ping was repeated. The smallest fell
lows did not stand much of chance
in the rough house, and they gathered
around Mr. Daley and besought him
to give them a chance. They nearly
tore his coat off in the struggles to get
at his coin, and he had to hustle to-
ward Lincoln Square to rid himself of
the crowd.