Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-24
uufu4 Observation-Disclosures ednrsda 1emhrr "a 1902

wife and family, talking about a
merry Christmas. I'll retire to Bed
lam"
This lunatic, in letting Scrooge's
nephew out, had let two other people
in. They We're portly gentlemen, pleas
ant to behold, and now stood, with their
hats off, in Scrooge's office. They had
books and papers in their hands, and
bowed to him.
"Scrooge and Marleys, I believe"
said one of the gentlemen, referring to
his list. Have l the pleasure of adj
dressing Mr.. Scrooge, or Mr.. Marley
Mr.. Marley has been dead these
seven years." Scroge replied. He died
seven years ago, this very night.
1--WE have no doubt his liberality is
well represented by his surviving part
ner," said the gentleman, presenting his
credentials.
1t certainly was; for they had been
two kindred spirits. At the ominous
word 'Iiberality" Scrooge frowned, and
shook his head, and handed the creden
tails back.
AT this festive season of the year,
Mr.. Scrooge," said the gentleman, TAX
ing up a pen, st is more than usually
desirable that we should make some
slight provision for the poor and desti-
tute, who suffer greatly at the present
time. Many thousands are in want of
common necessaries; hundreds of thou
sands are in want of common comforts,
sir"
care there no prisons?" asked
Scrooge.
Plenty of prisons" said the gentle
man, laying down the pen again.
"And the union warehouses pa de-
manded Scrooge. Are they still in OPP
eration?"
"They are. STILL returned the gem
tleman, Il wish I could say they were
not
"The treadmill and the poor laws are
in full vigor, them" said Scrooge.
Both very busy, SIR
ooh! I was afraid. from what you
said at first, that something had oe-
Cured to stop them in their useful
course" said Scrooge. I'm very glad
to hear ii"
Under the impression that they
scarcely furnish Christian cheer of
mind or body to the multitude" return
ed the gentleman, "a few of us are en-
deavoring to raise fund to buy the
poor some meat and drink. and means
of warmth. We choose this time, be-
cause 1t is a time, of all others, when
want is keenly felt, and abundance re-
joices. What shall I put you down
for?"
"Nothing," Scrooge replied.
"You wish to be anonymous?
ST wish to be left alone said
Scrooge. "Since you ask me what |
wish. gentlemen, that is my answer.
don't make merry myself at Christmas.
and I can't afford to make idle people
merry. I help to support the establish
ments 1 have Misunderstanding cost
enough; and those who are badly off
must go there
Many can't go there; and many
would rather die
IF they would rather die said
Scrooge. ''they had better do it, and de-
crease the surplus population Besides
excuse mel don't know that"
"But you might know it." observed
the gentleman.
Its not my business" Scrooge re-
turned. Its enough for a man to un-
derstand his own business, and not to
interfere with other peoples. Mine oc-
cupies me constantly. Good afternoon,
gent1emen!"
Seeing clearly that it would be USE
less to pursue their point, the gentle
men withdrew. Scrooge resumed his
labors with an improved opinion of
himself, and in more facetious tenn
per than was usual with him.
Meanwhile the fog and darkness
thickened so that people ran about
with fiaring Inks proffering their ser
vices to go before horses in carriages,
and conduct them on their way. The
ancient tower of church, whose gruff
old bell was always peeping slyly down
at Scrooge out of Gothic window in
the wall, became invisible, and struck
the hours and quarters in the clouds,
with tremulous vibrations afterwards,
as If its teeth were chattering in its
frozen head up there. The cold became
intense. In the main street, at the cor
ner of the court, some laborers were
repairing the gas-pipes, and had lighted
great fire in a brasier, round which
party of ragged men and boys were
gathered, warming their hands and
winking their eyes before the blaze, in
rapture. The water-plug being left in
solitude, its overfIowings suddenly con-
gealed, and turned to nisanthropic ice.
The brightness of the shops, where hol-
ly sprigs and berries cracked in the
lamp heat of the windows, made pale
faces rudy as they passed. Poulterers'
and grocers' trades became q splendid
joke; a glorious pageant, with which it
was next to impossible to believe that
such dull principles as bargain and
sale had anything to do. The lord may
or, in the stronghold of the mighty
Mansion House, gave orders to his fif-
ty cooks and buffers to keep Christmas
as lord mayors household should;
even the little tailor, whom he had fined
five shillings on the previous Monday
for being drunk and bloodthirsty in the
in his garrett while his lean wife and
baby sailed out to buy the beef
F'oggier yet, and colder! Piercing,
searching, biting cold. If the good
Saint Dunstan* had but nipped the evil
spirits nose with a touch of such
weather as that, instead of using his
familiar weapons, then. indeed, he
would have roared to 1usty purpose
The owner of one scant young nose
gnawed and mumbled by the hungry
cold as bones are gnawed by dogs.
stopped down at Scrooge's keyhole to
rega1e him with a Christmas carol; but
at the first sound of
God bless you, merry gentleman,
May nothing you dismay,"
Union work house workhousa