The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-30

A n the midnight Christmas air. cold
crystalline. with a million twink
ling stars above and ten million
down below-the gray old village
church, on one side OF the silent vii
lage square, enshrouded by softly
cleaning darkness and hush OF the holy
eye.
The church door opened noiselessly
and noiselessly closed again. Dowr
the rugged steps crept swiftly Fritz
Bongers and after him his son, young
Joop. They ran across the deserted
square and stood silent for a moment
in the snow-touched twilight under
the beetling gables of the long drawn
sunken building that bears the name
on a creaky ensign, The Rampant Lior
OF Blitterswyk." The hotel is old and
out OF date today. 1t was not so out
OF date, though scarcely much younger
on that Christnight of the year Of
grace 1888.
Even IN Limburg, far away, forgot.
ten Limburg, where nobody over comes
and where incidentally unlettere6
shepherds still shepherd mediaevally
ignorant sheep. even in blacklist Lin
burg the new century has pierced
little way on telegraph and telephone
OF light from the outside world Frit;
Bongers, however. in his day knew
knew nothing. He was interested IL
the little Enclosed immensity around
him. his own village square. He stood
fro 81 1,fa on1x
"Joop," he said.
Yes. father"
How did 1 look az Burgomaster OF
Blitterswyk. at mf~nigflt -ass7'
Imposing" answered Joop. Father?
Yes. Joop."
How did look as the Burgomaster',
son?"
-Oh-middling."
lust So" replied Joop. While speak
ing he had dragged out two bandboxei
from beneath q garden seat and placed
them on a table. Along the old i'm
runs q covered yeranda of the kline
that has always been common in TIL,
Netherlands. Tables, benches an,
chairs were set out under and aroun,
IL. The Burgomaster hastily yet care
fully took of his gold laced blue Goa
and deposited it with his tall hat II
one Of the bandboxes, from which h
had previously extracted a white liner
jacket and a gorgeously embroiderei
smoking cap. His son did the same
loop" said the Burgonaster, pos
ing in the dim night. how do l lool
as the landlord OF the Rampant Lior
eh-ready to receive his guests?'
''oh. middling." replied loop, lightinI
up dull oil lamps IN the veranda. TIL
Burgomaster snatched at his silver
topped cane.
"A Christmas benediction, my uncle,
said Anneke. as she came out from tn
inn doorway with trayful of glasse
and decanters and punch.
"Im-pim-p im-posingi" called GU
loop. while they snatched up the band
boxes and slowed them out of sight.
Hurry up" said the landlord, him
self bustling to and fro; they'll all b
coming out in another minute"
"A Christmas benedfction," repeate
Anneke, with just a tinge of protes
in her tone
Bongers faced her That's yer
pretty, pretty niece" he said, 'but yo
know well enough what would be
Christmas benediotion to me II yo
were to avail yourself of the privi1eg
that every girl In the village of Bit
terswyk possesses during this on
night OF the whole year and ask you
cousin Joop to marry your
Anneke arranged her glasses
'Tt'n never come of unless you as
him." added Bongers. and shot scorn
fully aKectionate glance across at hi
busy son. Hes too shy"
''Oh, uncle, you know don't want
70 come or" said Anneke. IN a brea,
and a run.
Then It's very selfish of you" re
piled Bongers, "and very ungratefu
and wicked. And very unnlial," h
added, -for you know It was you
fathers dying wish that Joop shout
have the Rampant Lion and how ca
he unless you marry him, seeing
belongs to your
Tie can have the Rampant Lion.
don't want 81" said Anneke, going o
with her work as the others did. +.
don't want anything, and especially
don't want Joop."
The punch smells good" said Joo,
Then don't you talk to me OF Christ
mas benecictions," protested Bonger,
while your bringing my gray hairs
he lifted his crimson smoking can di,
covering perfectly bald skull
with sorrow. through your willfulnes
TO the grave"
"A Christmas benediction TO you. vo
BOBBY" cried the father, "'u be tina
she marries this year without my con
sent and turns Us out OF house an
home"
You need have no fear" said An
neEe. grayely.
But DO have fear-every day Q
nay life. Your new hueband'll max
short work OF me as landlord of tn
Rampant Lion and-and-Burgo"-
turned away, hastily gathering hi
glasses.
Master of Blitterswyki" said Jool
coming forward .tOh, say, Annek
IL you didn't marry me you would be
brute. Why. father
The old man turned like a fash.
Now. there. Ne has asked yor
Never mind about the Christmas priv
ileEe: simply say yesw Joop had ne
into the house. He stood peering roun
the dark OF the doorway.
shell never marry. uncle" sal
Anneke