The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-18
'sTo the Least Of | hese.

ten had he said that BEFORE and yet how
often new schemes came up which seem
ed to have an Irresistible hold upon him.
and require his whole time; and what did
1t profit? They did not need more earth
by goods. It was the husband and father
they wanted, she and Doris, and while
theirlittle darling called In her own baby
way: Where's daddy gomez her own
heart cried out in All agony of loneli-
ness. 4Sa
But Margaret was brave, and the hap
piness of Doris was her first considera-
ton, In the afternoon she took her down
into the heart, Of the big city among the
great stores, packed with people and
Christmas confusion. They bought great
quantities of toys and dolls and other
childish delights for their Christmas trip
among their poor neghbors 1t was part
of Mrs. Rusk's course Of training for
Doris. n
Santa Claus sometimes misses some
little girls she told Doris, because he
cannot get down their chimneys. But he
gives us money to buy toys and dolls
and candies for them All Of Which
Doris seriously considered.
1t was late when they started homc-
ward. The crush and jam, and haste
Of the last shopping day delayed their
car a long time. But the tedious wait
gave Doris an insight into humanity.
She watched the passing crowds with
, eyes wide open with interest She was
too young to realize the difference he
tween poverty and wealth. too young to
understand why that old, grayha ired
darkey, hobbling along In thrcadbarc
clothes amongst the richly gowned men
and women, was jostled and pushed and
<1I. Il liz
cd to a box and sat down with his head
bowed in his hands she looked up to
her mother in childish wonder.
'Muvver. did Santa Claus send any
money for him" she asked.
She went up to him and held out a sill
yer dollar. It's wot my got from
Santa Claus for YOU" she said.
The old darlseys face lighted with joy.
Dress 70 little heart Missy" he ex-
Chris dis berry night an tell him to
Dress yo''
While Mrs. Rusk looked on with pleas
urc, beamlng from her pretty blue eyes.
JOHN Rusk gazed upon the same scene
from his office window with q strange
thrill In his breast. and eyes that were
suspiciously moist And in the rush TO
his train, he, saw It again. 7 became q
persistent vision thut somehow affected
lin greatly. He knew%his loved ones to
be the embodiment Of all that was good
and noble and grand, and he knew that
they were utterly unscflsh in their. efforts
to make others happy, spreading happi-
ness where It %as needed.
He stopped suddenly That word struck
him with u strange force, and with the
realization of his own great fault. lie
had been very unhecdful OF the hnppi-
ness of his own family. IAN almost ire
sistlblc impulse to turn back seized him,
but figures endless. chaotic masses OF
figures were burning In his brain, whir-
Ing before him like some fascinating
demons. The bright, dazzling half
circle of electric lights over the great
nrchcd doorway of the depot was trans
formed into a set OF grnnlng devilIsh
figures. The people who rushed frantl-
cailly wshin became human figures with
long. Grasping. bony hands bcckOned him
TO follow They were drawing him slow
~ Into n horrible maelstrom, With al
powerful magnetism from which he could
not escape, In The din and confusion
lie heard tho usher shouting. buffalo
Express! last callt Tho figures shouted,
Come. Gomez" Then the loud c!arg 81
q gong t,;ngled with the cry. "AlIs |
aboard. ncays iron gates sgueakcd as.
they rolled shut, and all was suddenly
quiet,
The lone man sim stood before ythe
great Doorway, Though the night was
cold he aiopped great beads Of perspla-
ton from iis brow, and barred .liis heated !
head Then his shoulders which had but
a moment before been. STOPPING under an
unbearaile loud, Suddcniy became
plnared and treci his head ,9ns thrown
back. aud his eyes assumed their ono
/ time clear, gain expression, and John