The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-12-02
Selett Storu.
THE HOLIDAY REPENTANCE OF
STRONG-ARM SMITH.

Vim. Hamilton Osborne in McCali's Magazine for
December.
Mr.. George Washington Biddle was a
conscientious young man He had had
great ambitions, but these were lost sight
Of in the fact that he supported his sister,
his widowed mother and his maiden aunt,
and at intervals other members of a family
which had ever been, and ever would be-
genteely poverty stricken. SO young Mr..
Biddle pegged away at his job in the me-
tropolis.
But locked in his bosom was tremend-
Gus secret. lie had taken little flyer
down upon the Street. He had put up
Just 50 much margin, saved by judicious
avoidance of lunch counters for several
months, and had placed the small amount
in the care of discretionary broker. Mr..
Biddle was not the individual who was
taking a flyer ON Wall street just at that
time. The rush was for Consolidated.
AS usual, the crash occurred just at the
unexpected time Consolidated went down
as though it would never stop. Young
Mr.. Biddle sighed deeply. This should
be his first and last experience. He had
lost and it had served him right
At this juncture he received letter
from his broker. 1t requested him to call.
He called, assuming that it was demand
for more margin, or, what was worse, a
demand for a loss-a loss that he could
never pay. The broker saw him as he en-
tered, stepped over to clerk, and came
toward Mr.. Biddle, waving narrow strip
of paper in his hand as he came.
'You are one of the lucky few, Bid
de, he remarked, as he passed the paper
over. 1t was a check to the order of
George Washington Biddle for just $500.
Biddle nearly tainted.
"But thought" he gasped, ''that you
bought Consolidated. You-you told me
you would" The broker grinned. "1
did-frst,' he answered Later [ was
fortunate enough to sell. And there you
are. Come in again" Mr.. George Wash
ington Biddle thought in his heart of
hearts, that it was just possible that he
might come in again. But not just now.
He would wait awhile.
All this happened about the first part of
December Mr. George Washington Bid
die made up his mind that it would not do
to tell his mother or his sister or his aunt
Of this stroke of luck. Christmas was ap-
preaching. Mr.. Biddle had always yearned
to celebrate Christmas after most luxurl-
ant fashion. Here was his opportunity.
He would secrete this five hundred dollars
until Christmas time; then he would lavish
on his family and friends host of pres
ents which would be the real thing and no
mistake. And he would blow the whole
crowd off to dinner in New York, and
the theater on top of that. Then he might
tell them about his little fyer-they could
forgive him then.
''This Christmas, - remarked Mr.. George
Washington Biddle to himself, "will be a
Christmas that is Christmas and no mis-
take
Mr.. Biddle was only one atom among
the aggregation Of people who contem-
plated Christmas. Some of them contem-
plated it with full hearts and empty purses
some with full purses and empty hearts.
One of the many men who contemplated
it was gentleman Of the name of Strong
Arm Smith. Strong Arm Smith, how
ever albeit usually in funds, found him
self possessed of barely $50 with which to
spend the holidays.
ssAnd what's S5O," muttered Strong
Arm Smith, 'sto man Of means like me?
need $500 if | need cent. To work,
to work. my boy. For Christmas is COM
ing and merry we'll be. y
Strong-Arm Smith is man who is well
know in New York and vicinity. Several
gentlemen are constantly on the lookout
for him. Even in winter, the climate OF
each place was overwarm for Mr. Smith.
When one place became too hot, he strolled
on toward the next. 1t was only a few
days before the holidays that his individ-
ual fortune had dwindled to the aforemen-
toned sum of $50. And it was only a
few DAYS before Christmas that he hap
pened upon the suburban city in which
resided Mr.. George Washington Biddle.
MIR. Biddle's town was quite town. 1t
had its own department store, and was well
equipped in every way.
From the time that Mr.. Biddle received
his check from his broker, to just two days
before Christmas, he occupied his mind
continually with the allotment, the guam
tity and quality and price of presents. He
carefully prepared list, changing it ma
terially several times day, but finally get
ting it arranged to his satisfaction. Then
he got his check cashed. On December
23d he reached home early, took an early
supper and sailed out at an early hour.
With him, in his pocketbook, was his $500,
and his list of purchases which 1t was his
purpose to make,
Another man with Christmas plans afoot
also sailed forth. 1t was Strong-Arm
Smith. But he went about them In
queer manner While all the town was
crowding the stores, Mr. Smith lurked in
the shadow of very dark alleyway.
Mr.. Biddle had never seen Mr.. Smith
has never seen him to this day. Mr.. Smith
had never seen Mr. Biddle. But what
the odds-one man was just as good as
another to Mr.. Smith He heard the
footballs of Mr.. Biddle. He peered out.
nThis duck" remarked Mr. Smith to
himself, ''don't look like great deal, but
he may have the stuff. I suppose III