Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-12-08

CHRISTMAS"
Rodney Burke was a pipe-not an ex-
pensive one, but one of just the make
and pattern that suited Mr.. Burke. He
had religiOusly watched this pipe from
day to day, afraid that some other Gus
toner would buy it. But there it still
remained
"Geew exclaimed Mr.. Rodney Burke
to himself as he scratched his short red
hair. Gee l wisht had itv'
And the unfortunate part of it all
was that he didn't have a cent. He
searched every pocket and Granny of
his superannuated clothes, from his
feet, which rested on the ground, to his
hat, which occupied an exalted posi-
ton some three feet odd above the
ground, for that which he knew he did
not possess. The expected happened,
for he found nothing.
"Geer' he exclaimed again. "If had
annuder suit, I'd hook this. l gOtter
have that pipe; that's what!'
Strolling along the street, at peace
with all the world, came a philanthro-
pist. Redney's critical eye, casting
about for ways and means, noted him
as he came.
II fought he was a stiff" he remark
ed cOnfdentially to some friends a day
or two later, but l was away off,
was"
The philanthropist, whose good ma
ture, to give the devil his due, was
caused by a remarkably good dinner
which he had just enjoyed-the phi
lanthropist bore down upon Mr.. Red
ney Burke. The latter saw him COM
ing.
Now, what's his game, anyways"
thought Mr.. Burke as he turned back
once more to gaze upon the pipe.
Hello, small sirr' remarked the
friend of mankind genially. Merry
Christmas
Jaw" thought the small SIR to him
self, what We givin' us? Why can't
We leave me aloneY
But he didn't say it. He simply
looked up at the big man with half
coy. half frightened glance. more par
ticularly to determine whether he
might not be the police department in
disguise.
Merry Christmas" he returned a
bit wistfully as he thought he saw
possible opening of a pleasant ma
ture.
well, my boy" continued the man,
what are you going to have for
Christmas anyway
"Christmasr' returned Rodney, with
q slight variation from the truth. 1--WE
don't never have nothin' for Christmas
we don't"
The man smiled a smile Of pity.
Dear me-" he remarked, half to him
self, 'how true it is that one half of
the world knows not how the other
half lives" Then he raised his voice.
What would you say. small sir, If
should buy you some of those toys
He stopped as he gazed into the win
dow. why, why" he went on, Il
thought this was a toy store that you
were looking into!'
Nav" returned Rodney. ITS to-
bacco store"
But-but, continued the man, you
you don't smoke tobacco. You GER
talnly at youR age cannot
Nav" returned Burke, 81 don't.
Il wasn't thinkin' about meself so
much. / was thinkin' about me old
father. He broke his pipe last mont,
an he amt had none since, an he's too
poor to git annuder one. was lookin'
at these. Gee! If could git enough
of the stuff together, / wouldn't do a
thing but buy that there one for him
me poor ole father
This was said with an air of the
greatest frankness. although MIR. Red
ney Burke had always considered his
father, as did many others. in the light
pf genteel myth. Still he thought to
himself that IL he had father and If
he himselNwere worth few million or
30 he might he didn't commit himself
mon the sub ect. however. even in his
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