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

/ ment, which concealed it's head, it's face
) its form, and left no<hing of it visible
save one outstretched hand. But for
this it would have been difficult to de-
tach its figure from the night, and sep
arate it from the darkness by which i!
was surrounded.N
t He felt that it was tall and stately
mysterious presence filled him with a
solemn dread. He knew no more, for
the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.
Il am in the presence Of the Ghost OF
Christmas Yet to Gomez" said
Scrooge.
The Spirit answered not, but pointed
onward with it's hand.
You are about to show me shadows
, of the things that have not happened,
but will happen in the time before u.s. y
Scrooge pursued. rs that so, Spirit?"
The upper portion of the garment was
: contracted for an instant in it's folds
as If the Spirit had inclined it's head
That was the only answer he received
Altho well used to ghostly company
by this time, Scrooge feared the silent
shape so much. that his legs trembled
beneath him, and he found that he
, could hardly stand when he prepared to
follow it. The Spirit paused moment
as observing his condition, and giving
him time to recover.
But Scrooge was all the worse for
this. 1t thrilled him with vague I'M
certain horror to know that, behind the
dusky shroud, there were ghostly eyes
intently fixed upon him, while he, tho
he stretched his own to the utmost
could see nothing but a spectral hand
: and one great heap of black.
!. "Ghost of the Future!" he exclaimed
II fear you more than any spectre
have seen. But as I know your pur-
pose is to do me good, and as hope to
live to be another man from what
was, I am prepared to bear you COM
rany, and do 1t with a thankful heart.
VIII you not speak to me?
1t gave him no reply. The hand was
pointed straight before them.
Lead ont" said Scrooge.-'1ead on!
i The night is waning fast, and it is pre-
cious time to me, know. Lead on,
Spirit"
The Phantom moved away as it had
come towards him. Scrooge followed in
the shadow of it's dress, which bore him
up, he thought, and carried him along.
They scarcely seemed to enter the
city; for the city rather seemed to
spring up about them, and encompass
them of its own act. But there they
were, in the heart of it; on change,
amongst the merchants; who hurriedup
and down, and chinked the money in
their pockets, and conversed in groups,
and looked at their watches, and trif1ed
j thoughtfully with their great gold seals,
and so forth, as Scrooge had seen them
often.
The Spirit stopped beside one little
knot of business men. Observing that
the hand was pointed to them, Scrooge
advanced to listen to their talk.
NO." said a great fat man with a
monstrous chin, Il don't know much
! dead.
when did he die?' inquired another.
Last night, I believe"
why, what was the matter with
him?" asked third, taking vast guam
tity of snuff out Of a very large snuff
box. II thought he'd never die"
God knows" said the first, with a
! yawn.
What has he done with his money!"
asked a red-faced gentleman with a
pendulous excrescence on the end of his
nose, that shook like the gills of tur-
| key-cock.
AZ haven't heard" said the man with
| the large chin, yawning again. Left 1T
to his company, perhaps. He hasn't
left it to me. That's all I know"
| This pleasantly was received with a
/ general laugh.
| Its likely to be a very cheap funer-
al" said the same speaker; for, upon
my life, I don't know of anybody to go
to it. Suppose we make up party and
volunteer"
Il don't mind going if lunch is pro-
vided," observed the gentleman with
the excrescence on his nose. But +
must be fed if make one"
Another laugh.
"Well, / am the most disinterested
among you, after ALL" said the first
speaker, for never wear black gloves,
| and never eat lunch. But I'll offer to
go, If anybody else will. When come
to think of it, I'm not at all sure that
| wasn't his most particular friend; for
we used to stop and speak whenever me
met. By-by!"
Speakers and listeners strolled away,
and mixed with other groups. Scrooge
knew the men, and looked towards the
Spirit for an explanation.
The Phantom glided on into street.
It's finger pointed to two persons meet
ing. Scrooge listened again, thinking
that the explanation might lie here.
He knew these men, also, perfectly.
They were were men Of business: very
wealthy, and of great Importance. He
had made a point always of standing
well in their esteem: in a business point
of view, that is; strictly in business
point of view.
How are you?"
How are you?" returned the other.
"Well" said the first. "Old Scratch
has got his own at last, hey?"
so I am told" returned the second. I
"Cold, isn't it?"
"Seasonable for Christmas time.
You're not skater, SUPPOSED"
mo. No. Something else to think
Of Good morning!"
Not another word. That was their
meeting, their conversation, and their
parting.
Scrooge was at first inclined to be
surprised that the Spirit should attach
Importance to conversations apparently
so trivial but feeling assured that they
must have some hidden purpose, he set
himself to consider what it was likely
to be. They could scarcely be supposed
TO have any bearing on the death of ia