Middletown transcript., 1904-12-24
UNCLE LEWIS
CHRISTMAS

NT ERE John p called William
mi Lewis sharply, beckoning to
FL his diminutive, ,freckled, tow
Il liz haired, but suddenly oblig-
- ing office-boy. run
across to that toy shop on the corner and
leave this order Here is ten-dolIar
bill to pay for it-don't lose it, nowp'
! John obeyed with an alacrity that, to
Lewis, at any rate, indicated that he, too,
! expected something for Christmas and
was willing to be good for two whole
days in order to get it.
"That's what call genius" said Lewis
! turning to his senior partner, Smith. 81
send ten dollars to that chap Jones over
| in the toy place give him list of the
names, ages and addresses of my nephews
! and neices, and lie picks out two dollars
worth OF rubbish for each youngster. My
card goes in each package and there's
my whole Christmas shopping dome
automatically. Great scheme, isn't it?
Why, do you know, l used to worry my
self sick over this blasted Christmas busi-
ness before hit on this plan."
But thought you had six little ones
to look after" interrupted the elderly
Smith.
"Bless my soul p' exclaimed Lewis, dis
gustedy. 81 entirely forgot my sister
Mary's brat l suppose I'll have to go
over there myself, or between that red
headed imp and that Jones therell be
mixup. Pm glad christmas c,lnes but
once year; I'd certainly take 10 drink
if it were oftener."
AS Lewis slammed the door behind
him, Smith sighed and looked after the
departing figure rather reproachfulIy.
Smith, at so, and with numerous fam
lily, could feel something of the true
Christmas spirit in fact, he had always
done so. But Lewis was so completely
out of the festal-time atmosphere that he
Jared upon the older mans nerves.
Lewis is only So now," said Smith to
himself, perhaps he'll mellow a little
with age. l hope so. particularly if he
should marry. Well, it's moi Ne OF my
business /; he's good hustler md he's as
straight as rod"
Lewis reached the toy shop in a few
minutes and was about to rush inside
when his eye was caught by complicated
bit of mechanism in one OF the show win
dows. A realistic toy Locomotive was
putting along, up grades hnd down,
through papier-mache tun heels. across
giddy trestles, past frowninG precipices
finally stopping for mom@nt at little
station. Then the whistle tooted sharply,
the steam came in quick pnffs, and the
journey was begun all over again. Every
thing Was complete, even THE passengers
in the three day coaches Were real look
ing, save for the size of the figures there
was also fully-equipped dining car, with
wliite-aproned figures in the aisles, fash
ioDably dressed patrons, And group OH
the observation platform in the rear.
Lewis mechanical tastes gave him
boyish interest in the whole thing. "By
jove p he said, half aloud, .that's in 1
genious, and III bet it would take for
tune to buy it. When ! was boy such
contraptions weren't dreant Of.
''It is fine" said snIall voice in reply,
ave and admiration being blended.
Lewis turned quickly, coloring just
trifie at being caught I'm such an exhibit
ton of childish enthu4iasm, and saw that
the owner of the voice. was trinity built,
attractive looking boy of about eight,
neatly, but rather poorly dressed, with
no overcoat over his rough cloth suit, but
with red muffier about his neck which
just matched the tinge the cold had |
brought to his checks. and to the tip Of
his oddly aristocratie nose.