The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-12-24

Hello, small STRIP remarked the
friend of mankind genially. Merry
Christmas.''
".iw," thought the small sir to him
self, what We givin' us? Why can't
We leave me alone?"
But he didn't say it. He simply
looked up II the big man with a half
coy, half frightened glance, more par
ticCIariy 20 determine whether he
I2iGht not be the police department il
<,is. llis2.
",:e~:y Christmas" he returned,
[ It wiStfully as he thought he saw
3sa:1le opening of pleasant ma
.Ira.
+ ",2l NY boy" continued the, man,
what are you going to have for
Christmas. anyway
"l,,.Y;s.mas" returned Rodney. with
: sl~.,t variation from the truth. 1--WE
Co. I never have nothin' for Christmas,
we Go.'t."
The E!an smiled smile of pity.
Dear -" lie remarked half to him
sell how true it is that one half of
the world knows not how the other
hall lives" Then he raised his voice.
What would you say, small sir, if l
should by you some of those toys
He stopped as he gazed into the win
dow. Why, why" he went on, 81
thought this was toy store that you
we've looking into!'
Nav" returned Rodney. TITS to
bacc0 store
''But-but." continued the man, you
;--you don't smoke tobacco. You Ger
family at your age cannot
s'Naw." returned Burke II don't.
Il wasn't thinkin' about meself SO
much | was thinkin' about me ola
father. He broke his pipe last mont.
an he amt had none since, an he's too
poor to git annuder one. | was lOCkin'
at these. Gee! If l could git enough
of the stuff together, | wouldn't do Il
thing but buy that there one for him
me poor ole father
This was said with an air of the
greatest frankness, although Mr.. Red
ney Burke had always considered his
father, as did many others, in the light
Of d genteel 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, however, even in his
thoughts-he might blow his father to
pipe some time. This considerable
sentiment, he reasoned, justified his re-
ply to the philanthropist
well, WE'LL" remarked the latter,
glancing down at the disinterested
specimen before him, ''but what would
you like to have now for Christmas?"
Rodney shook his head. 81 amt per-
tlcler about meself. If l could git that
there pipe-an'," he added as he scent
ed possibilities heretofore unsupported,
'an' a good bit of smokin' tobacco, an
one Of them there rubber things to put
it in-say, if 1 could do that for the old
man-say! An wouldn't he feel stuck
on hisself! But, gee, wot's de use? /
can't do it. so l might as we'll be GO
in"
He made this last remark because he
the soul of wit, is also the essential in
charitable enterprises. Good impulses
don't last forever, so he moved off,
shaking 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
Rodney by the arm.
Here, my boy" he exclaimed gently
as he showed five dollar bill into Mr..
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 can look
back upon" His eyes glistened a bit
as he said it, and, to his credit be it said,
he did not regret the impulse or the do
nation for full two hours thereafter.
Tanks" said Mr.. Burke, with bit
OF scrape and stiff sort of bow
tanks from me an me old manv'
The next day there was a queer for.
nation in an unfreQuented corner Of
the play yard of the Fourteenth ward
school. This formation resembled more
than anything else an Eskimo hut, but
composed. instead of inanimate ma
terial. Of a very animated and interested
crowd Of boys gathered around com.
mon center. From the aperture in the
top Ct this human Eskimo dwelling,
and therefore frightening the illusion.
ascelGCd a column Of smoke, and as it
assembled to the skies there came q
voice. frcnl - IN