The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-23
"REDNEY'S' CHRISTMAS SMOKE
By WILLIAM H. OSBORNE

rs -
true it is that one half of the world knows
not how the other half lives Then be
raised his voice.
What would you say, small sir, if I
should buy you some of those toys"-He
stopped as he gazed into the window.
Why. why" he went on, I thought this
was toy store that you were looking
into:''
Nav" returned Rodney. Its a to-
bacco store"
"But-but, continued the man. "you-
you don't smoke tobacco You certainly
at your age cannot
Nav" returned Burke, st don't r.
wasn't thinkja about meself SO much
was thinkin' about me old father. He
broke his pipe last mont an he amt
had none since, an he's too poor to git
another one. I was lookin' at these Gee!
i could git enough of the stuff together,
I wouldn't do thing but buy that there
one for hin-me poor ole father"
This was sail with an air of the greatest
frankness. although Rodney Burke had al
ways considered his father, as did many
others, in the light Of genteeI myth.
Still he thought to himself that If he had
a father and if he himself were worth a,
few, million or so he might-he didn't
commit himself upon the subject, how
ever, even in his thoughts-he might blow
his father to a pipe some time. This con-
siderate sentiment he reasoned, justified
his reply to the pfilanthropist.
j We'll, well,'' remarked the latter
glancing down at the disinterested speci-
men before him, "but what would you like
to have now for Christmas
Rodney shook his head. ."I amt per-
ticler about meself. If cd get that there
p1pe-an," he added as he scented pos
sibflitfes heretofore unsuspected, IAN a
good bit of .smokin' tobacco an one Of
them there rubber things to put it in
say, if cd do that for the old mar.-sayi
An wouldn't he feel stuck on hisseif. Bur,
gee, wot's de use? can't do it, SO
might as well be goin'.''
He made this last remark because he
knew intuitively that brevity. which is
the soul of wit, is also the essential in
charitable enterprises. Good impulses
don't last forever, so he moved off, shaK-
ing his head as he went. (.
- The big man looked up and down the
street to see If he was observed, then he
stretched forth his hand and caught Red
ney by the arm.
Here, my boy" he exclaimed gently as
he showed a five-dollsr bill into Rodney
Burke's reluctant grasp-"here, go and
get the pipe for your father and then go
and get something for-for yourself, and
and have at least one happy Christmas
that you look back upon" His eyes
slistened a bit as he said 1t and, to his
credit be it said he did not regret the i'm
pulse or the donation for full two hours
thereafter. ~ o.
Tanks said Mr. Burke. with Bit
of a scrape and stiff sort of bow
thanks from me an me old man."
The next day there was a queer forma-
ton in an unfrequented corner of the play
yard Of the Fourteenth Ward school. This
formation sresembled more than anything
else an Eskimo hut, but composed, in
stead the inanimate material, of a very
animated and interested crowd of boys
gathered around common center. From
the aperture in the top of this human
Eskimo dwelling, and therefore heighten-
ing the illusion, assembled a, column Eof
smoke, and as it assembled to the skies
there came voice from within.
Gee, fellers!'' said the voice. Gee,
but amt this great" 1t was the voice
of Rodney Burke, the votary of my Lady
crowd. He smoked a pipe-the pipe OF
lis l1eart-and he filled it from red rub
Der case. - .--- ...,.,s
Just fits in me pants pocket" he OBJ
served. And as he said it he pulled out a
few dollar bills and exhibited them.
= 3'An' got four more piunks left What
dye t'ink?'' he said. zF.'< - 81
" Later in the classroom the teacher
lifted her head high in the air and shifted.
Some boy" she remarked severely,
'has been smoking. I want to know who
it is
She looked-not around the roon1-but
directly at Rodney Burke. He fairly
reeked with tobacco, and he knew it.
Under the circumstances. therefore. ho
side-stepped with alacrity into the aisle
and looked squarely into the teachers
eyes.
me old wo--me neither he explained
glibly-"me mother had a snokin jag on
yestiddy, an had to stay home an fill
her pipes, san me cloes is full of it. II
amt me; it's her. Dye see?" Then he
whipped out a small, new leather pocket
book with brand new penny in it and
handed it ever. AN a merry Christmas
to you, Miss Burtwtistle!'' he remarked.