Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-24

wherein they melted away. And, in the
very wonder of this, 1t would be Itself
again, distinct and clear as. ever.
Are you the Spirit, sir, whose com
ing was foretold to me?" asked Scrooge.
4 ami
The voice was soft and gentle. Sin
gularly low, as if instead OF being 50
close beside him, it We're at dis
tance.
Who, and what are you?" Scrooge
demanded.
Il am the Ghost of Christmas Past"
"Long past9" inquired Scrooge, OBJ
servant of its dwartish stature.
mo. Your past"
Perhaps Scrooge could not have told
anybody why, il anybody could nave
asked him, but he had special desire
to see the Spirit in his cap, and begged
him to be covered.
"What!' exclaimed the ghost, would
you so soon put out, with worldly
hands, the light giveg Is 1t not enough
that you are one of those whose pas
sions made this cap, and force me
thru whole trains of years to wear II
low upon my brow?s
Scrooge reverently disclaimed all IN
tention TO offend or any knowledge
Spirit at any period of his life. he
then made bold to inquire what bust
mess brought him there.
.Your welfarel" said the ghost.
Scrooge expressed himself much
obliged. but could not help thinking
that a night of unbrolSen rest would
have been more conducive to that end
The Spirit must have heard him
thinking. for it said Immediately
Your reclamation, then. Take heed!
1t put out it's strong hand as it spoke,
and clasped him gently by the arm.
Rise, and walk with mel"
1t would have been in vain for
Scrooge to plead that the weather and
the hour were not adapted to pedes-
TRAN purposes; that the bed was warm,
and the thermometer long way below
freezing; that he was clad but lightly
In his slippers. dressing gown. and
S nightcap; and that he had a cold upon
him at that time. The grasp, tho
gentle as a woman's hand, was not to
be resisted. He rose; but finding that
the Spirit made towards the window,
clasped its robe in supplication.
81 am mortal" Scrooge remon-
strated, "and liable to fall"
Bear but to touch of my hand there
said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart.
land you shall be upheld in more than
this!"
AS the words were spoken, they
passed thru the wall, and stood upon an
open country road, with fields on either
hand. The city had entirely vanished.
Not a vestige of 1t was to be seen. The
darkness and the mist had vanished
with 1t, for 1t was clear, cold, winter
day, with snow upon the ground.
Good Heaven.'' said Scrooge, clasp
ing his hands together, as he looked
about him. 81 was bred in this place.
was boy here!"
The Spirit gazed upon him mildly
Its gentle touch, tho it had been light
and instantaneous, appeared still pres
ent to the old mans sense of feeling
He was conscious of a thousand odors
floating in the air, each one connected
with a thousand thoughts, and hopes,
and joys, and cares long, long forgot
ten
Your lip is trembling" said the
Ghost. And what is that upon your
cheek
Scrooge muttered with an unusual
catching in his voice, that 1t was
pfnple. and begged the Ghost to lead
him Where he would.
You recollect the way?. inquired the
Spirit.
Remember It'll cried Scrooge with
fervor, I could walk it blindfold.''
Strange to have forgotten it for
so many years!" observed the Ghost.
Let us go on"
They walked along the road, Scrooge
recognizing every gate, and post, and
tree; until a little markettown APP
peared in the distance, with its bridge,
its church, and winding river. Some
shaggy ponies now We're seen trotting
towards them, with boys upon their
backs, who called to other boys in
country gigs and carts. driven by farm
ers. All these boys Were in great spir-
It's, and shouted to each other, until the
broad fields We're SO full of merry music
that the crisp air laughed to hear it.
These are but shadows of the things
that have BEEN said the Ghost. They
have no consciousness of u.s."
The jocund travellers came on; and
as they came, Scrooge knew and named
them every one. Why was he re-
joiced beyond all bounds to see them?
Why did his cold eye glisten, and his
heart leap up as they went past? Why
heard them give each other Merry
Christmas, as they parted at cross
roads and by-ways. for their several
homes? What was merry Christmas to
Scrooge? Out upon merry Christmas!
What good had it ever done to him?
.'The school is not quite deserted"
said the Ghost. "A solitary child, me
elected by his friends, is left there
STILL
s11 Scrooge said he knew It, And he
eobbed.
They left the high road, by a we'll
remembered lane, and soon approached
a mansion of dull red brick, with a lit
tie weathercoek- surmounted cupola, on
the roof, and bell hanging in it. 1t
was large house, but one of broken
fortunes: for the spacious offices Were
little used, their walls were damp and
messy, their windows broken, and their
gates decayed. Fowls clucked and
strutted in the stables, and the coach
houses and sheds were overru1 with
grass. Nor was 1t more retentive of its
ancient state, within; for entering the
dreary hall, and glancing thru the open
doors of many rooms, they found them
poorly furnished, cold, and vast. There
was an earthly SAVIOR in the air, a chilly
baroness in the place, which associated
3 itself somehow with too much getting