Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1904-12-22
Hepsy's christnlds Tree.

Haliockand Murray. collie chums,
found themselves Chflstnis Eve in
the rather unique. positse} Of hav-
ing nothing to do. In fac< time was
hanging heavily on their lids.
They did not 60 home e. the hol-
idays because OF the suf6eisns rea-
son that neither OF them bad any
very definite home 70 % e.
Murray might. perhaps. have
formed part of the family Qfoup ut a
distant cousins but pr4ierred TO
cast in his lot with HalIoc2 Who had
absolutely no one to whom no was
beholz1en. Ia trutk. ~ - 70 un-
usual thing for Murray 10 adopt Hal
locks schemes.
On this Christmas Eve the Fra
ternity House was deserted and
gloomy, and even Hallock's good
spirits seemed to be failing him.
He stretched out laziiy in his
chair, and yawned dismalIy.
What shall we do 2" asked Msr-
ray, feeling that something ought to
be done by way Of festivity, and
quite at his wits end about it. Hal
lock generally did the planning, and
tonight he undeniably had the blues.
Hallock looked of at the lights of
the college town, which were twink
ling invitingly below College Hill.
Lets go down to DORIS and
have game. he said at length; u
seem to have a little chink," and he
ratified his pockets suggestively.
Murray bit his mustache, and
looked as If he might any moment
be on the point of protesting, but
he didn't. He put on overcoat and
hat, and arm in arm with Hallock
started for the town.
1t was very gay town into which
they entered that Christmas Eve.
Not only were the shops and stores
and sidewalks uncommonly festive,
but also theIi saloons and cafes and
pool rooms were decorated and well
patronized.
The door OF DORIS swung open
Hospitality, brilliantly lighted as it
was, CHEEKY and full OF business.
They soon found some chance ac-
quaintances, and formed others.
Around their glasses and over a
remarkably good game, Hallock de-
cided that Christmas wasn't such a
horribly stupid season as he had
thought. He and Murray PLAYED
with Tom Jones, the college farmer,
and beat him most disastrously.
Pocketing the stakes as the clock in
the tower struck twelve. they left
DORIS in rather a high condition OF
spirits, and made their way through
the town to the quiet hill, up whose
road they climbed TO their house,
standing dark against the midnight
sky.
Just at the foot of the hill they
passed the small house of Tom, the
farmer, so called because he had
charge of the little college farm. 1t
was a shabby abode. full of little
ones, for whom Tom did not provide
very abundantly. Indeed, it had
been announced that he could not
hold his place another year.
Jupiter How Tom did lose to-
night said Murray, as they passed
his house.
Played like madman, :" declared
Hallock. There's a light in the
kitchen window waiting for him;
and / declare, fthat isn't" They
had stopped by the window, and
were looking in with interest.
On the kitchen table, awaiting the
coming of Christmas morn. was a
stubbed, forlorn little Christmas
tree. They chuckled under their
breath and laughed at the funny
sight.
What's to binder our having a
tree. I would wish to be informed ?
This window shoves up" declared
Hallock, slipping his b md in and
taking hold of the tree. Strikes
me. you know, I'll look kind of go d
and festive in Room No g." and by
this time he had transferred the tiny
tree from the interior Of the house
to the exterior. and with words Of
congratulation they climbed the hill
to their house. and set up their treas
ure on the study table.
Neither Of them was quite so ac-
customed to DORIS hospitality that
it was without effect. From the
very gay sensation of success and
imbibing, they passed 20 the sleepy
period, and were soon tumbled rath-
er hastily into bed, heavily asleep.
They did not waken until long
after the Christmas chimes had rung
and the happy, blessed day was
well into the forenoon.
They found themselves rather dull
and little inclined to be cross with
each other. Murray looked at the