Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-19

The train was hurrying along, ihnslhs
aside the miles in quick succession. FROM
the window of the parlor car Nlntoh here
ford drearily watched the monotohous
landscape Tie swide, fiat fields looked
iuexpressively desOlate with lonely corn
stacks huddled together like weary shos'S
of forgotten summers. And yet 1t was
Christmas day Hereford shivered at the
thought; Christmas day and with sun
thirty-eight hours before Chicago, where
his father would meet him. What traV-
esty of a holiday. He pressed his lace
closer against the pane to avoid seeing the
few passengers file past him on their way
to the dining car; no food had passed ms
lips in nearly two days. How couIo ne
stand another thirty eight hours! AT
home now they would be coming back from
church. He closed his eyes and vision
allied It all; the evergreen on the altar
the sermon preached on the same old text
of peace on earth and good will toward
men. the clear voices of the poys singing
the dear old carols. a sob or utter nome
sickness forced itself into his throat.
Luncheon was over now and the peopie
came drifting back. The restless small
boy who sat a few seats away lowered
about fascinated by the strange labels on
HerefOrd's grip.
"M-a-n-i-l-a'' he spelt out laboriously.
at wonder where that is" At Hereford
smile he drew nearer, emboldened by the
latter's friendliness.
merry Christmas" he began gravely.
Merry Christmas returned Hereford
with equal gravity. The child looked al
him approvingly and laid chubby hand
on his knee. ,.,,on
Manila ?" Hereford nodded. ''N cry far
Tell me about it," commanded the boy
seating himself on the opposite cushion
Hereford smiled again.
Manila is In the Philippines, Where
Uncle Sans soldiers are fighting, he COM
menced obedently. Il suppose you kho"
all about them"
Yes. indeed My mother talks lots to
me about soldiers. Are you a soldier!
Yes"
My breathed the boy in round-eyed
admiration. "A real soldier! But where
your uniform" he added half susplclously.
Hereford laughed.
I'm there" he explained. pointing to the
grip. The boy resumed his contemplation
of the labels, and then again lifted his eyes
pectedly. Hereford jumped.
"Why yes; what makes you ask
"'Cause you don't" said the boy, judi
cially MY mother wonders why you don't
come to the dining Garland so do l." Here
fOrd's lip twitched
"Oh. that's nothing" he remarked. at
tempting to speak lightly. You see,
smoke a lot
Uncle smokes, but he eats, too" re
sponded the boy gazing at Hereford with
solemn eyes. Hereford felt positively un-
comfortable.
We'll" he murmured in some embarrass-
ment. Il will tell you how it is. l haven't
any money"
mo? Did you lose it?" queried the boy
anxiously. Hereford assented.
That's 1t. l lost it," he admitted, yet
/ somehow don't regret it." The boy looked
at him for a moment, puzzled by his tone.
then dove into a pocket and produced box
of chocolates.
Eat some of these" he offered sympa-
thetically. They're awful good, and it
must be horrid to feel hungry. Take a lot.
do. They're my Christmas present." he
added grandly, though, of course, I'll find
lots more when 1 get home Santa Claus is
always good to me. But the train goes so
fast he had only time to put these on