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

ment. which concealed its head. it's face
. its form, and left nc<hing of it visible
t save one outstretched hand. But fol-
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
f He felt that it was tall and stately
when it came beside him, and that its
mysterious presence filed him with {
) solemn dread. He knew no more, fol
the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.
Il am in the presence of the Ghost OF
Christmas Yet to Gomez" sale
Scrooge.
The Spirit answered not, but pointed
| onward with its hand.
you are about to show me shadows
!. of the things that have not happened
but will happen in the time before us,
Scrooge pursued. rs that SO, Spirit?'
The upper portion of the garment was
contracted for an instant in it's folds
as IL 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 tc
follow 1t. The Spirit paused moment
as observing his condition, and giving
him time to recover.
But Scrooge was all the worse fol
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. the
| y,a ctr +cha n ic IN the utmost
could see nothing but a spectral hand
and one great heap of black.
, "Ghost of the Future!" he exclaimed
81 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
!. pany, and do it 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.-"lead on!
!, The night is waning fast, and it is pre-
cious time to me, I know. Lead on
Spirit"
The Phantom moved away as 1T 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 it's own act. But there they
were, In the heart of it; on change
amongst the merchants: who hurried uE
and down, and chnked the money in
their pockets, and conVersed In groups
and looked at their watches, and trified
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
4 monstrous chin, II don't know much
about it either way. I only know he's
dead.
| when did he die?' inquired another
7. Last night, I believe.
4 "Why, what was the matter with
him." asked a third, taking a vast guam
tity of snuff out of a very large snuff
box. 81 thought he'd never die"
I God knows said the first, with a
yawn.
What has he done with his money!
I, asked a red faced gentleman with a
pendulous excrescence on the end of his
nose, that shook like the gills of tur-
key-cock.
II haven't heard" said the man with
the large chin, yawning again. Left it
to his company, perhaps He hasn't
left it to me. That's all know"
| This pleasantly was received with a
general laugh.
"It's likely to be very cheap funer-
al" said the same speaker; "for, upon
my life, don't know of anybody to go
to it. Suppose we make up a party, and
| volunteer"
81 don't mind going if a lunch is pro-
vided," observed the gentleman with
the excrescence on his nose. "But /
must be fed, if / make one"
/ Another laugh.
.Well, I am the most disinterested
among you, after ALL" said the first
speaker, "for I 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 a street.
1 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 business point
of view, that is; strictly in business
point of view.
How are you?"
How are you?" returned the other.
"Welle' said the first. "Old Scratch
! has got his own at last, hey?"
$50 I am told" returned the second.
"Cold, isn't 1T"
"Seasonable for Christmas time.
You're not skater SUPPOSE"
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
/ ~.x,,&