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

hear what they so little understood
We're brighter; and It was a happie
house for this mans death! The onl
emotion that the Ghost could show hin
caused by the event, was one of pleas
ure.
Let me see some tenderness con
nected with a DEATH said Scrooge, 20
that dark chamber Spirit, which w
left just now will be forever presen
to me-
The Ghost conducted him thru sew
era1 streets familiar 20 his feet; and, a
they went along, Scrooge looked her
and there to find himself, but nowher
was he to be seen. They entered poo
Bog Cratchit's house,-the dwelling h
had visited before, and found tn
mother and the children seated roun
the fire.
Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy littl
Cratchits were as still as statues in on
corner, and sat looking up at Peter, VIII
had a book before him. The mothe
and her daughters were engaged il
sewing. But surely they were Yer,
quiet!
And He took child, and set him IL
the midst of Them"
Where had Scrooge heard those
words2 He had not dreamed them. The
boy must have read them out, as hi
and the Spirit crossed the threshold
Why did he not go on?
The mother laid her work upon the
table, and put her hand UP to her face
"The color hurts my eyes" she said
This color? All. poor Tiny Tim!
They're better now again. said
Cratchit's wife. ut makes them weak
by candlelight; and / wouldn't show
weak eyes to your father when he
comes home for the world. 1t must be
near his time"
Past it, rather" Peter answered
shutting up his book. "But think he
has walked a little slower than he used,
these few last evenings, mother"
They were very quiet again. At last
she said. and in steady, cheerful voice,
that only faltered once
Il have known him to walk With
have known him to walk with Tiny Tim
upon his shoulder very fast, indeed"
And so have l." cried Peter. often"
..And so have IT, exclaimed another.
So had all.
but he was very light to carry" she
resumed, intent upon her work, and his
father loved him so, that 1t was no trou-
tie,--no trouble And there is your fa-
Their at the door.'
She hurried out to meet him; and lit
tie Bob in his comforter-he had need
of it. poor fellow-can1e in. His tea was
ready for him on the hob, and they all
tried who should help him to it moss
Then the two young Cratchits got upon
his knees, and laid, each child, little
cheek against his fae/, as il they said.
Don't mind it. father. Don't be
grieved!p
Bob wa:: very cheerful with them, and
spoke pleasantly to all the family. He
looked at the work upon the table, and
praised the industry and speed of Mrs.
Cratchit and the girls. They would be
done long before Sunday, he said.
Sunday! You went today, then,
Robert?' said his wife.
eyes, my dear returned Bob. Il
wish you could have gone. 1t would
have done you good to see how green a
place it is. But you'll see 1t often. ]
promised him that would walk there
on Sunday My little, little child"
cried Bob. MY little child"
He broke down all at once. He
couldn't help 1t. If he could have helped
1t, he and his child would have been
farther apart, perhaps, than they We're.
He left the room, and went upstairs
into the room above. which was lighted
cheerfully. and hung with Christmas.
There was a chair set close beside the
child, and there We're signs of some one
having been there lately. Poor Bob sat
down in it, and when he had thought a
little and composed himself he kissed
the little face. He was reconciled tol
what had happened, and went down
again quite happy.
They drew about the fire. and talked;
the girls and mother working still. Bob
told them of the extraordinary Kindness
Of Mr.. Scrooge's nephew, whom he had
scarcely seen but once, and who, meet
ing him in the street that day. and see
ing that he looked iittle-"just little
down, you know" said Bob, inquired
what had happened to distress him. "On
which," said Bob, .for he is the pleas
sntest-spoken gentleman you ever
heard, / told him. I am heartily sorry
for it, Mr. Cratchit.' he said, and
heartily sorry for your good Wife BY
the by, how he ever knew that I don't
know"
.Knew what, my dear?"
aWhy, that you were a good wife," re-
piled Bob.
Everybody knows that" said Peter.
every well observed, my boy!' cried
Bob. 81 hope they do. Heartily sorry,
he said, for your good wife. II / can
be of service to you in any way he
said. giving me his card, that's where
live. Pray come to me- Now 1t wasn't,
cried Bob, .'for the sake of anything he
might be able to do for us, so much as
for his kind way, that this was quite
delightful. 1t really seemed as IL he had
known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us.
..I,m sure he's a good sour said Mrs.
Cratchit.
.sYou would be sure Of It, my dear"
returned Bob, IF you saw and spoke to
him. shouldn't be at all surprised
mark what say!-if he got Peter
better situation"
aonly hear that, Peter" said Mrs.
Cratchit.
aAnd them cried one of the girls,
"Peter win be keeping company with
some one, and setting up for himself"
sect along with you!" retorted Peter,
grinning.
TITS just as likely ss not" said Bob.
.cne of these days; Tho there's plenty
OF time of that, my dear. But, however
and whenever we part from one anoth-
CIR, am sure we shall none of us forget
moor TINY Tin1-shall we2--or this first