The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13
Redney'C hrictm g. / Smoke.

Copyright, 1902. by T. c. McClure.1
 It was three days before Christmas Rodney Burke separated his diminutive frame from the , seething crowd of humanity that pressed along | the street and paused before a plate glass win dow which above all others attracted him. ] This was not a department store or candy ! store CT a hakeshop. Inside there were neither toys nor sleds nor good things to eat, but 1t held those things upon which Rodney Burke had feasted his small eyes for many days. And now hs looked. with his whole soul in his glance-he looked and looked and looked. He sniffed the air and imagined to himself that already he was enjoying the good things within.
 For It was a cigar store. store of the bet ter class. full of pipes and tobacco and cigar cites and chewing tobacco and everything that enls in smoke.
 In the front of the window immediately un- der the olfactory nerves of Mir. Rodney Burke was pipe-not expensive one, but one of just the make and pattern that suited Mir. Burke He had relgiously watched this pipe from day to day. afraid that some other GUS toner would buy 1t. But there 1t still re- mained.
 "Geew exclaimed Mir Rodney Burke to him self as he scratched his short red hair. Gee, wisht had itr'
 And the unfortunate part of it all was that he didn't have a cent He searched every pocket and cranny of his superannuated clothes. from his feet, which rested on the ground, to his hat, which occupied an exalted position some three feet odd above tho ground. for that which he knew he did not possess. The expected happened. for he found nothing.
 'Gee!" he exclaimed again. If had an- nuder suit. I'd hook this. gotter have that pipe; that's what!'
 Strolling along the street at peace with all the world. came a philanthropist. Redney's critical eye. casting about for ways and means, noted him as he came.
 q fought he was a stin.'' he remarked conhdentially to some friends a day or two later. but I was away off, I was.''
 The philanthropist. whose good nature, to give the devil his due, was caused by re- markedly good dinner which he had just en- joyed-the philanthropst bore down upon Mir. Rodney Burke. The latter saw him coming.
 Now. what's his game. anyway" thought Mir. Burke as he turned back once more to gaze upon tho pipe.
 Hello. small sir!' remarked the friend of mankind genially. Merry christmaa!'
 "Aw," thought the small sir to himself, what ye gtvtn' us? Why can't ye leave me alone?'
 Bu the didn't say it. He simply looked up at the big man with half coy. half fright ened glance more particularly to determine whether he might not be the police depart ment in disguise ..'-. t. s-..-
 Merry christmas!'' he returned, 6 bit wist- fully he thought he saw a possible open ing of a pleasant nature.
 Well, my boy" continued the man, what are you going to have for Christmas, any way?'
 "ChrstmAs" returned Rodney with a slight variation from the truth. We don't never have nothin' for Christmas. we don't"
 The man smiled smile of pity. Dear me-" he remarked, hah to himself. ''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 I should buy you some of those toys''-He stopped he gazed into the window. Why, why," he went on, T thought this was a toy store that you were looking into"'
 Nav" returned Rodney. 'Irs tobacco store'
 "But-but" continued the man, ''you--you don't smoke tobacco. You certainly at your age cannot"--
 Nav" returned Burke. 1T don't. I-I wasn't thinkin' about meself so much was thlnkin about me old father. He broke his pipe last mont. an he aint had none since, an he's too poor to git annuder one I was iookin' at these. Gee! If could Eit enough or the stun 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. Rodney Burke had always considered his father as did many oth- erA. in the light Of a genteel myth stin he