The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-12-19

Jenkins" said the city editor, "here's
five dollars lady sent us to give
poor old chap up on Tenth street. You
see, she wants to know it reached him
and doesn't want to register a letter,
for he must not know who sends it.
So run up with it and get a receipt for
it that we may send her." ~.: *
/ was soon on Tenth street. The
number sought was tumble down old
rookery, and the children snowballing
each other in the street stopped long
enough to tell me that old Mr.. Jones
lived on the top floor.
"Come in!' piped a CHEEKY, shrill
voice as l knocked on his door, 1 did.
Seated by the window, nightcap on
head and spectacles on nose, sat
! bright eyed, gray haired, much wrin-
kled old fellow, clean shaver and very
tall and stopped. "Merry Christmasw
he piped as soon as he saw me and
grinned affably, displaying a few large
/ teeth that were still white.
stammered forth the conventional
answer. 1 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 glance. I 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. deserve it," he added little
pettishly. II have gladdened others
| Christmas today"
you havew I was impolite enough
to say in my bewilderment.
''The Birds" said he, pointing out
| the window to where a few sparrows
on the fire escape were pecking at
piece of his loaf .. ..
cit is this that has made you happy
|! today in spite Of
"It is one Of the things. That was
my Christmas giving. It was all I
could give until you came, but now I
am under the necessity of seeking
! human objects for my bounty. The
aims share Of this is too big for the
+, birds.'' 81 &c., d
"Can you find any poorer than your
, self?' I inquired.
Eyes, even in the palaces" he said
solemnly. Rising and leaning on the
| long stick which he had kept beside
him, he thus went on:
II began my celebration of Christ
! mas yesterday afternoon by going to
the free library and reading Dickens
Christmas CAROL For years I have
read it on Christmas eve-that is, to
! fill myself with the true Christmas
spirit of charity, love, peace and good
will. 1t always succeeds. Has any
millionaire in this great city begun
more wisely? ...
Having finished my reading, 1 walk
ed through the crisp, frosty air to the
boulevard to enjoy the sleighing. 1t
;; was very fine. Time was when used
to sit in one Of those vehicles and 60
skimming over the snow. lost half
| the sport. I could not see the cutters
skim by, the rosy cheeks Of the riders,
and ran risk of spill I could hear
| no. bells but those on my own team,
! but, ali, standing on the roadside-how
different a-.%" ~ ,.~ ~
"The skating on the lake next inter-
! ested me, and I enjoyed 1t greatly.
Home to tea next, with keen appe-
tite. Had full larder and that appe-
tite would eat enough to be sluggish,
and then I should not 60 out again.
But a slice Of bread, an onion and a
cup Of black tea-no gluttony In that,
! yet enough.
81 went out to do my Christmas
shopping. Oh, saw everything
the riches of the earth displayed in
windows. Remember that the great
delight In most of them is in looking
at them, and that If they are personal
ornaments you cannot very well see
them after you put them on. I Toasted
! my eyes fully from the outside of the
windows. 1t was the best Christmas
shopping Lever did, and have done
much shopping in my time, can tell
you. - f
Midnight mass - grand, celestial!
No, sir; not Catholic, but do not let
that fact stand between me and cpl
curean enjoyment.
81 slept the sleep Of the contented
man, sir, dreaming of the beautiful,
bright skies and green fields and pleas
ant waters of summer that are all
mine, sir, as much as kings.
"See my Yule ogp' He pointed to q
piece of camel coal beside the stove.
|" II will light that by and by. viii
roast little joint Of meat over 1t and
make me little wassail-bowl Of
cider with roast apple in 1t - and
when my pipe is lit and the street
lamp shines on the ceiling win recite
for myself some Of the old miracle
plays Of Christmas or sing an olden
CAROL /
pardon me-" said I, starting mp.
I must 60. You tempt me to share
your feast and lose nay position. II
must 60. ] wish I knew how 10 be
ias happy 40 you.s
~Be content said the strange old
man.