Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09

Iarlin's attitude toward Christmas was
admirably exemplifed IN a little CONVERSE
tor he once had with one of his clients,
who was vainIy endeaforing to Undue him
with the proper Yule-tide spirit.
well" said this self-appointed mission
arg in phiIosophic conclusion, Christmas
comes but once a year"
To which Larkin replied, with brief and
rather uncomplimentary fervor, Yes;
thank Cod"
Larkin cordially hated Christmas and
everything connected with it. He hated
the wreaths; he hated the ostentaticus bum
dies every one carried with such seit-sufh-
Gent airs; he hated the glitter and unsHl'
the evidence of holly and mistletoe every
where, and with all his heart he hated the
irrepressible idiots who waylaid you to wish
you Merry Christmas"
As regularly as the 2Ith OF December
came round so regularly did he take his
rifles and fly to his haven of refuge-nis
camp in the woods on the Little otter
river ,
Catch me stayins in town through this
fool rumpusrf Larkin would say, with an
infection which left no doubt as 10 MS
meaning.
was hung with leadeu clouds, and all tho
morning stray SuowfakcS had been drlll-
ing down ornfnously. Larkin locked his
office door at noon. and, gathering up ms
heavy valise and his gun cases, went out
TO the corner and summoned a carriage;
Get me to the station IN time Tor the
- 30 can you?' said he.
sure said the cabby, and LarIin got IN
When he alighted at the station Larkin
gave the driver a bill. The man iished Ill
mis- pockets and smiled cheerfully.
Merry Christmas to you, sir, ne said.
Larkn glared. "Humph" he grunted.
az suppose that's gentle mint lor inc
The cabby looked hurt Il wished you
a merry Christmas and ! mean 1t, he SAID
Here's your change
"On. keep it," said Larkin, ungraciously
enough. and strobe into the train shed.
The porter who took his traps into the
car was evidently infected with the con
tagious cheerfulness, for he smiled biandly.
Con to have a stormy Chris mus, ain
we, subj he asked as Larkin took his
seat.
II hone So" growled Larkin.
Passengers were coming aboard in con-
tinual stream, many of them accompanies
by friends. there to see them off, and every
now and then little groups would break up
with well, goodbye. Merry CHRISTMAS,
and Iarkin would squirm uneaslly. EVERY
Merry Christmas that he heard preu az ~!
him desire to shout terse "Oh, cut II
out!'
He opened a magazine and tried to inter
est himself in the pages, but not until the
train was nnaIIy unQer way uiu MS III 70
bJitI, lessen and then only at the thought
that with every revolution of the wheels
thew were leaving Christmas-the CHRIST
mas he loathed with all his belng-pehlhd
them. -,
The train drew out of the city and into
the open country. The leaden clouds IN te
sky seemed to have come nearer earth Inc
snow began to fall steadily in business
like manner Larkin, tired of reading,
nuIled his hat over his eyes, settled back in
his seat and dozed comfortably. Occasion
ally he opened his eyes to note the rapidly
Increasing downfall of snow and to listen
momentarily to the doleful bowling of the
rising wind, which was making itself heard
above the roar of the train. Then he would
sink back and doze again Internationally. 1t
was a dreary, cheerless ride, and he was
aware of q sense of relief when darkness
came and the porter lighted the lamps.
At o'clock he went into the dining car
and seated himself at one of the little ia
bles He drew a coin from his pocket and
laid 1t on the cloth.
Sam" he said to the waiter, who ap-
preached with a grin Of ominous cheerful