Sharp County record., 1902-12-26

Christmas. as The general manager of
the Pocomoke G. Westhaven railroad
was leaving his private Office, his eye
was caught by small package lying
unopened upon his desk.
Nearly forgot that thing again.
he said. at came last night, and |
went home without it. Here, Phil,
he called TO his secretary, open this
package, and If it requires an an
swer fix up the polite thing"
When he returned some hours later
the package was still upon his desk,
apparently unopened,
81 thought told you to open this
and see il il needed all answer!" he
said, sharply.
81 did open il, Mr.. Dorkins, bat you
are the proper person to answer it,"
the stenographer replied, in curious
tone.
Mr.. Dorkins cut the string around
the pasteboard box. a tinge Of impa-
thence in his manner. Lifting the lid,
Homer's painstaking scrawl was ex-
posed TO view He read it, frown
gathering on his brow. Over at his
desk by the window the stenographer
rustled his papers noisily, not daring
to steal look at his employer,
The general manager tossed the note
aside with a muttered imprecation and
took up one OF the big cakes, 1t more
than covered the palm of his hand,
and there was borne to his nostrils
spicy smell that brought with it MEM
ories Of his youth. Little things he
had not thought of in years suddenly
crowded upon him. His life had been
such n busy one, such a shoulder-to-
shoulder, neck-and- d-neck race for place
and power, he had had no time for any
thing else.
/ lie sat> Very still, holding the big cake
on his outstretohed palm, and all the
struggle and care aud turmoil all the
! pleasure uf success and n knowledge
of power fell away from him. Again
he heard the hickory logs cracking
on the hearth, the brass andirons
cleaning like gold in the freight. 1t
was Christmas eve, and his stocking
hung on Il nail hy the high, black man
tel. He was u great boy Of ten, large
and strong for his age. Mothers man"
she called him. She-his mother-sat
in the circle Of light from the cheer
ful fire. striuging raisins and popcorn
on long threads to trim his baby Sis
ter's Christmas tree.
lie knew what he would find in that
stocking in the morning A red
checked apple in the toe. and paper
of fat waluut-meats and one of pop
corn made into tatfy by some process
known only to his mother, There
would be half dozen sticks Of pink
and-white striped mint-cNndy, ball
of yarn covered with good stout sheep
skin by his mothers own hands, and
at the top Of all such brown, spicy.
gmelin", queer-looking horse ginger.
cake as he gazed down ON now.
The noises from the street, the rat.
tie and rear of traffic below them
were the only sounds heard in the
general managers private oi,ce, The
stenographer had ceased 60 rustic his
papers; instead. he almost held his
breath for fear Of disturbing the man
sitting there SO quietly,
Presently Tom Dorkins stirred
"Phil," he sNid, in such u gentle voice
that the young man started. II was 81
different from the curt, brisk tones
TO which he was accustomed. rs your
mother living"
ayes, Mr. Dorkins."
"Are you going to spend Christmas
with her?"
Yes, sir" he answered, slowly. II,
did not quite understand the drift Of
his chiefs questioning.
That's right" said Mr., Dorkins
heartily. And I'm going to spent
Christmas with mine, too; a thing
haven't done for nine years, boy. But
Tll.make it up TO her tomorrow. Mint
years to make up! Do you think
can do it?" lie glanced hurriedly at
his watch, 81 can barely make con
nections il Pm to get there tonight
won't have time to go home, Phil;