Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-12-11

wa,.lt ihinkin' about meself 50
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! III could git enough
of the stuff together, I wouldn't do a
thing but buy that there one for him
me poor ole father" 1872. ~
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 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 >considerate
sentiment, he reasoned, justified his re
ply to the philanthropist.
"Well, WE'LL" remarked the latter.
glancing down at the disinterested
specimen before him, "A what would
you like to have now for Christmas?"
Rodney shook his head. 81 amt per-
ticler about meself. If l could git that
there pipe-an'," he added as he scent
ed possibilities heretofore unsupported.
"an' good bit of smokin' tobacco, an
one of them there rubber things to put
it in-say, if could do that for the old
man-say! An wouldn't he feel stuck
on hisself! But, gee, wot's de use? I
can't do it, so might as well be 60
in'."
He made this last remark because he
knew intuitively that brevity, which is
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,
60 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 a stiff sort of bow
''t'anks from me an me old man!''
The next day there was 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 a com.
mon center. From the aperture in the
top Of this human Eskimo dwelling,
and therefore heightening the illusion,
assembled column of smoke, and as it
assembled to the skies there came
voice from within.
Gee, fellersv' said the voice. Gee,
but amt this greatY' 1t was the voice
Of Mr.. Rodney Burke, the votary of my
Lady Nicotine, the center of an admir-
ing crowd. He smoked pipe-the pipe
Of his heart-and he filled it from a red
rubber case.
Just fits in me pants pocket" he OBJ
served. And as he said it he pulled out
few dollar bills and exhibited them.
"An' l got four more plunks left!
What dye t'ink?'' he said.
Later, in the classroom, the teacher
lifted her bead high in the cir and
shifted.
''some boy" abe remarked severely,
''has been smoking. want to know
who it H."
She hooked not around the 1oom-but
directly at Mr.. Rodney Burke. he fair
ly~reeked With tobacco, and he knew 1t.
Under the circumstances, therefore,
he side stepped with alacrity into the
aisle and looked squa1ely into the
teachers eyes.
me old wo-me MOTHER he explain
ed glibly-"me mother had a smokin'
Jag on yestiddy, an had to stay home
an fill her pipes, an me clo'es is full
Of it. It amt me; it's her. Dye see?"
Then he whipped out small, new
leather pocketbook with a brand new
penny in it and handed it over. AN a
merry Christmas to you, Miss Burt
vuhiatloP' no romorko6