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

Il ami
The voice was soft and gentle. Sin
gularly low, as il instead of being 50
close beside him, it were at dis
tance.
.Who. and what are you?" Scrooge
demanded
Il am the Ghost of Christmas Past"
Long Past?' inquired Scrooge, OBJ
servant of it's dwariish stature.
No. Your past
Perhaps Scrooge could not have told
anybody why, If anybody could nave
asked him, but he had a special desire
to see the Spirit in his cap, and begged
him to be covered.
what" exclaimed the ghost, would
you so soon put out, with worldly
hands, the light give? Is it not enough
that you are one of those whose pas
sions made this cap, and force me
thru whole trains of years to wear 1t
low upon my brow?"
Scrooge reverently disclaimed all in
tention to offend or any knowledge
of having willfully "bonneted' the
Il Spirit at any period of his life. He
then made bold to inquire what bust
ness brought him there.
your welfare!'' said the ghost.
Scrooge expressed himself much
Obliged, but could not help thinking
that a night OF unbroken rest would
have been more conducive to that end.
The Spirit must have heard him
thinking, for 1t said Immediately
"Your reclamation. then. Take heed"
1t put out its strong hand as it spoke,
and clasped him gently by the arm
Rise, and walk with met
1t would have been in vain for
Scrooge to plead that the weather and
the hour were not adapted to pedes-
trian purposes; that the bed was warm,
and the thermometer long way below
freezing; that he was clad but lightly
in his slippers, dressing gown, and
nightcap; and that he had cold upon
him at that time. The grasp, tho
gentle as woman's hand. was not to
be resisted. He rose; but finding that
the Spirit made towards the window,
clasped its robe in supplication.
Il am mortal" Scrooge remon-
strated, "and liable to fall"
Bear but to touch of my hand there"
said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart,
.'and you shall be upheld in more than
this!"
AS the words were spoken, they
passed thru the wall, and stood upon an
open country road, with fields on either
hand The city had entirely vanished.
Not vestige of it was to be seen. The
darkness and the mist had vanished
with it, for it was clear, cold, winter
day. with snow upon the ground.
Good Heaven!" said Scrooge, clasp
ing his hands together, as he looked
about him. II was bred in this place.
I was boy here!"
The Spirit gazed upon him mildly.
Its gentle touch, tho it had been light
and instantaneous, appeared still pres
ent to the old mans sense of feeling.
He was conscious of thousand odors
floating in the air. each one connected
with a thousand thoughts, and hopes,
and joys. and cares long, long forgot
ten!
Your lip is trembling" said the
Ghost. And what is that upon your
cheek ?"
Scrooge muttered, with an unusual
catching in his voice, that it was a
pimple, and begged the Ghost to lead
him where he would
''You recollect the way?" inquired the
4 Spirit
Remember It'll" cried Scrooge with
fervor, Il could walk it blindfold."
Strange to have forgotten it for
SO many years!" observed the Ghost.
Let us go on"
They walked along the road, Scrooge
recognizing every gate, and post, and
tree; until little markettown ap-
peared in the distance, with its bridge,
its church, and winding river. Some
shaggy ponies now We're seen trotting
towards them, with boys upon their
backs, who called to other boys in
country gigs and carts, driven by farm
ers. All these boys Were in great spir-
its, and shouted to each other, until the
broad fields We're so full of merry music
that the crisp air laughed to hear it.
These are but shadows of the things
that have BEEN, said the Ghost. They
have no consciousness of u.s.
The jocund travellers came on; and
as they came, Scrooge knew and named
them every one. Why was he re-
joiced beyond all bounds to see them?
Why did his cold eye glisten, and his
heart leap up as they went past? Why
was he filed with gladness when he
heard them give each other Merry
Christmas, as they parted at cross
roads and by-ways, for their several
homes? What was merry Christmas to
Scrooge? Out upon merry Christmas!
What good had 1t ever done to him?
'sThe school is not quite deserted"
said the Ghost. "a solitary child. ne
elected by his friends, is left there
STILL
scrooge said he knew it. And he
sobbed
They left the high-road, by a we'll
remembered lane, and soon approached
mansion of dull red brick, with lit
tie weathercock- surmounted cupola, on
the roof, and bell hanging in 1t. 1t
was large house, but one of broken
fortunes; for the spacious offices Were
little used, their walls were damp and
messy, their windows broken, and their
gates decayed. Fowls clucked and
houses and sheds were overrun with
grass. Nor was it more retentive of it's
ancient state, within; for entering the
dreary hail. and glancing thru the open
doors of many rooms, they found them
poorly furnished, cold, and vast. There
was an earthly SAVIOR in the air, chilly
baroness in the place, which associated
itself somehow with too much getting
UP by candlelight, and not too much
to eat.
They went, the Ghost and Scrooge,
across the hall, to door at the back
of the house. 1t opened before them,
and disclosed long, bare, melancholy
Il L.