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

hear what they so little understoo,
house for this mans death! The onl
emotion that the Ghost could show hin
caused by the event, was one of pleas
Ire.
Let me see some tenderness con
nected with a DEATH said Scrooge, 20
that dark chamber, Spirit, which w
left just now viii be forever presen
to me-
The Ghost conducted him thru sew
eral 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 We're engaged il
sewing. But surely they We're YER,
quiet!
".And He took child, and set him II
the midst of them
Where had Scrooge heard those
words? He had not dreamed them. Th'
boy must have read them out, as hi
and the Spirit crossed the threshold
6 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
The color? All, poor Tiny Tim!
They're better now again." sale
Cratchits wife at makes them weak
by candlelight: and I 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 little slower than he used
these few last evenings, mother"
They were very quiet again. AT last
she said and in a 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.
Sc had all.
But he was very light to carry" she
resumed, intent upon her work, land his
father loved him SO. that it was no trou-
Ele,-no trouble. And there is your ia
ther at the door!'
She hurried out to meet him: and lit
tie Bob in his comforter--he had need
OF it, poor fellow-came 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, eack child, a little
cheek against his facI as if they said.
Don't mind it, father. Don't be
grieved!
Bob was 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.
aYes, 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 youth see 1t often.
promised him that would walk there
on a Sunday. My little, little child"
cried Bob. my little child"
He broke down all at once. He
couldn't help it. II 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
cheerfu1ly, and hung with Christmas.
There was chair set close beside the
child. and there were signs of some one
having been there lately. Poor Bob sat
down in 1t, and when he had thought a
little and composed himself he kissed
the little face. He was reconciled to
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 little--"just little
down. YOU know" said Bob, inquired
what had happened to distress him. ON
which, said Bob, for he is the pleas
st-spoken gentleman you ever
heard, 1 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 don't
know"
aKnew what, my dear?"
aWhy. that you were good wife" re-
piled Bob.
Everybody knows that said Peter.
ssyery well observed. my boy!' cried
bob. II hope they do, Heartily sorry,
he said, for your good wife. II ! can
he 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 If he had
known our Tiny Tim, and felt with U.S.
"Tm sure he's a good soul' said Mrs.
Cratchit.
.sYou would be sure of II, my dear"
returned Bob, IF you saw and spoke to
him. I shouldn't be at all surprised
mark what I say.-if he got Peter a
better situation
"OnIy hear that, Peter" said Mrs
Cratchit-
"And them cried one of the girls,
3Peter will be keeping company with
some one, and setting up for himself"
Get along with you'll" retorted Peter,
grinning.
TITS just as likely ss not" said Bob,
"one of these DAYS; tho there's plenty
or time of that, my dear. But, however
and whenever we part from one anoth-
er. r am sure we shall none of us forget
Door Tiny Tim-shall we?-or this first