Evening journal., 1903-12-22

why not? IL was the day be-
fore Christmas and he was
ina "a strange town. But that
was not the cause OF his
loneliness. The town or
state dld not matter Go
him. He was "a wanderer on the
ter 70 him. He was "a wanderer on the
face of the earth. Not a tramp, but a
theatrical man. whose troupe was to
give "a performance IN Wilmington on
Christmas Day. AS he stood on the
steps of the Clayton House and watch
ed the belated shoppers making their
last purchases. he cnyicd an Of them.
Il am worse or than the poorest Of
them" he said TO himself for I VIII
not get q present and win not give
one"
standing there the busy street scene
seemed TO fade from his view and he
seemed 60 see "a happy. cosy home. A
loving wife with a bright goiden-huired
baby girl ON her knee. He smiled un-
consciously as the vision spread itself
out before his eyes. Then "a scowl took
the place OF the smile and clinching
bis hands he walked rapidly up the
street.
The show was over The theatre was
dark. The crowd ON Market street had
thinned out until but few stragglers
were left Members OF the company
were having a late supper IN a cafe
and making merry over cold bottles.
Mason was 90 az ease and making an
excuse left his jolly companions and
went out into the street. Icy blasts
were blowing from the northeast with
a furry of SNOW. An outdoors was
cheerlcss. but Mason trudged along
the street unmindful Of the wind.
AS he passed the old City Hall with
the old Dutch tower which Was almost
ready to fan. the clock began to strike
the hour Of twelve. This seemed e
arouse him as IL from slumbcr and he
paused. The first thing he noticed wai
some women carrying sundry bundles
going into the police station by th'
side entrance. Some unknown fOrc'
impelled him to follow them in.
J Sergeant here are some things IN
matrons may make use OF tomorrow
/ when the poor gather 20 see the Christ
mas tree he was in time TO hear ON
, OF the women say as she approache
! the desk where man with red stripe
! on his arm was sitting.
4 Poor unfortunate outcasts. thel
/, too are thinking OF Christmas an
i want TO make some other poor sol
! happy" was the thought that Maso
had as he stood and watched them.
Go upstairs and see the matrons
they are both helping 20 trim the tree.
said the house sergeant. as he wave
his hand toward the stairway leadin
TO the court room where the big pin
was being turned into thing o
? beauty.
AS il noticing Masons look OF sur
E prise. the policeman said
; "It's hard TO find anybody that's al
together bad. Those women or som
: OF their class bring something FOR on
e tree every year. II IL is not something
for the kids it's clothes for the large
ones. They give money, too. whicl
goes toward making many a hom
I brighter
] Il am no preacher, but / have oftel
: thought that If some good man or wo
Z man would say a kind word or offe
! TO give them n helping hand at sucl
T. times as these when their hearts ar
Z touched they might be good wome
! again. Who can tell?
q You are a stranger. are you not
4 Would you like TO see the tree? G
up the steps there and help yourself.
. Mason followed the advice of the sci
4 geant. In the court room where IN
! transgressor is fined and sent away I
prison he saw a scene which appeale
/, to him instantly. Piled high in IN
dock worn with the feet of many Gu
prits was a collection of dolls. Son
policemen, among them being the "a
ana stalwart young chief and the bl
and ever good-natured turnkey, COZ
pie of reporters. the round-faced opel
ator and the police matrons We're pu
ting the finishing touches ON the tire
Others were arranging large box,
i containing doll babies candles. frui
shoes and warm clothes. There was n
!, formality there and Mason was 500
y the busiest man in the crowd
Il am happier than I have been Il
years" he told the chief Don't 80
know / can hardly wait for tomorrol
Z to come"
When he and the other workers lei
'' the police station Mason heard faintl
the words of that beautiful carol. "A
X shepherds watched their hocks b
night IL was church choir IN
wagon going along a side street. ii
: stopped and listened as the words O
s the song were borne to him on IN
= crisp morning air. When they wer
j. swallowed up in the distance he wen
= 10 his hotel and to bed.
In his dream he saw scores of pale
s faced eager children stretching ou
d their hands TO numerous Kriss kingle'