The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-12-24
THE YULETlDE MASTERPIECE
THAT HAS MADE COUNTLESS
HEARTS THRoB.

poorly III TWICE turned uTeSS
gown. but brave in ribbons, which
are cheap but make a goodly show
for sixpence; and she laid the cloth,
assisted by Belinda Cratchit, Sec
pnd of her daughters, also brave
in ribbons; while Master Peter
Cratchit plunged fork in the
saucepan of potatoes, and getting
the corners of his monstrous shirt
collar (Bob's private property, con-
ferred upon his son and heir in
honor of the day. into his mouth,
rejoiced to find himself so gallantly
attired and yearned to show his
linen in the fashionable parks. And
now two smaller Cratchits, boy and
girl, came tearing in, screaming
that outside the bakers they had
Smelt the goose and known it for
thoughts of sage and onion, these
young Cratchits danced about the
table and exalted Master Peter
Cratchit to the skies, and he, not
proud (athcugh the collar nearly
choked him), blew the fire until the
slow potatoes bubbling up. knock
ed loudly at the saucepan lid to
be let out and peeled.
'What has got over your precious
father, them" said Mrs Cratchit.
"And your brother, Tiny Tim! And
Martha warn't as late last Christ
mas day by half an hour"
Heres Martha, mother!" cried
girl. appearing as she spoke.
"Here's Martha, mOther!" cried
the two young Cratchits. "Hurrah,
there's such a goose, Martial"
"Why. bless my heart alive, my
dear, how late you are!" said Mrs.
Cratchit. kissing her dozen times
and taking off her shawl and bon
net for her with officious zeal.
"We'd a deal of work to finish
up last night" replied the girl,
land we had to clear away this
morning. mother"
''Well. never mind, as long as you
are come" said Mrs. Cratchit. "Sit
We down before the fire, my dear,
and have warm, Lord bless ye!"
"No, no! There's father coming"
cried the two young Cratchits. who
were everywhere at once. Hide,
Martha. hide!"
So Martha hid herself, and in
came little Bob, the father, with at
least three feet of comforter. ex.
elusive of the fringe. hanging down
before him; and his threadbare
clothes darned up and brushed to
look seasonable: and Tiny Tim
upon his shoulder, Alas for Tiny
Tim he bore little crutch, and
had limbs supported by an iron
frame!
"Why. where's our Martha?"
cried Bob Cratchit. looking round,
mot coming" said Mrs. Cratchit.
"Not coming!" said Bob with
Sudden decension in his high spir.
it's. for he had been Tins blood
horse all the way from church and
had come home rampant mot
coming upon Christmas day"
Martha didn't like to see him dis
appointed. if it were only joke;
so she came out prematurely from
behind the closet door and ran into
his arms. while tho two young
Cratchits hustled Tiny Tim and
bore him off into the wash house,
that he might hear the pudding
singing in the copper
"And how did little Tim behavc?"
asked Mrs. Cratcht when she had
rallied Bob on his credulity and
Bob had Rugged his daughter to his
hearts content.
GAS good as gold" said Bob, "and
better. Somehow he gets thought
dul, sitting by himself so much, and
thinks the strangest things You
ever heard. He told me, coming
home, that he hoped the people
saw him in the church, because he
was cripple, and It might be
pleasant for them to remember
upon Christmas day who made
lame beggars walk and blind men
see"
Bobs voice was tremulous when
he told them this, and trembled
more when he said that Tiny Tim
was growing strong and hearty.
His active little crutch was
heard upon the floor and back
came Tiny Tim before another
word was spoken, escorted by his
brother and sister, to his stool be-
fore the fire; and while Bob turn
ed up his cuffs--as. IT, poor fellow,
they were capable OF being made
more shabby-compounded some
hot mixture in jug with gin and
lemons and stirred 1t round and
round and put 1t on tho hob to sim
mer; Master Peter and the two
Ubiquitous young Cratchits went
TO fetch the goose. with which they
soon returned In high procession.
Such a hustle ensued that you
might have thought q goose the