The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-02-09
BY Richard Cfa1shaw.
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l. sleet having entered the town after
the fashion of other belligerent ar
mies-by storm-now sent out scouting
parties to give chase and overcome any
who might yet remain shelterless. With
in the abode of pawnbroker on a narrow
retired street, the gathering darkness had
entered, and to all appearance made itself
at home for the night. Perched on his
high stool he sat, with his lean arms
folded, and his grisled chin resting
thoughtfully upon his breast, while now
and then he muttered indistinctly to him
self:
Twelve ones are twelve, and three
fifteen. clear profit, therefore, of one
hundred and fifty dollars. Not much, not
much; but still not so bad-no, no."
He was interrupted in his calculations
by little clear voice proceeding from
the room opening into the store, at the
end of the long counter. Strange words
to be chanted by so sweet childish voice
and in such place as this.
Peace on earth, good will towards
men !" and though the one soft spot in
Martin Grants heart inclined tenderly
towards that little voice, 1t was evident
he was very much disturbed and put out
in his mental arithmetic. Addition twist
ed itself into subtraction, so that four
and four became nothing; and when he
would have multiplied, he began to divide
In manner that COMPOUNDED him. And
the darkness gathered round him heavier
than ever.
Il say, gran'pa, where are you? o,
see you, out there in the dark. l can just
make you out. o, if you could only look
In here and see how we've fixed up the
room'-turning her curly head to some
one within-"Mrs. Whirtle and I-eh,
Mrs. Whirtle, if he only could p
If he only could" assented fat voice.
But you mustn't, you know" to the
silent old man, must he, Mrs. Whirtle?"
Certainly not"
Because you know this is Christmas
eve, and your birthday, too, gran'pa. Amt
1t funny that it should be Christmas eve
and gran'pa's birthday, too, Mrs. Whir-
tle?"
The opening of the outer door of the
dark warehouse was the signal for the re-
treat of the faxen head, and the mysteri-
GUS preparations went on once more
within. Martin Grant descended and lit
a dim, oil lamp, and placing it upon the
counter, directed his attention to the per-
son who had just entered-a wretched
looking old man.
swell, you're here again?" said the
money lender, at length.
II am-here again." faltered out the
other.
did not tell you to keep away from
me-to poster me not with your importu-
mites"
You did, Martin, you did," said the old
man, with a trembling sob. II could
not help it-as heaven judges me, l
could not. Martin, it is Christmas eve
will not your heart soften to me on this
night, Of all others in the year?'
The pawnbroker began porting over his
ledger on the desk, as though determined
to be unaware of the others presence. He
added up column of figures, one by one,
then began another column. The other
watched him in silence, and with his tat
tered cuff wiped a tear from his furrowed
cheek
Martin brother-listen one moment.
Do you remember that we are both of us
sixty-five to-night?'
Are we, really?" said the other. PUT
down one and carry ten," inscribing again
in the huge ledger.
The remembrance affects you not. Is
your heart adamant to every recollection,
then2"
Hark what was that? Once more from
that interior room that little childish
voice. Once more, in its sweet, pure &C.
cents, those golden words:
Peace on earth, good will towards
menu
Even Martin Grant halted with his fin
ger half way down a column of figures, to
listen. The old man on the outside of
the counter bent his head to drink in the
sounds. His voice was very solemn as he
again spoke:
ION this night, eighteen hundred years
ago, voices like even unto that, proclaimed
those self-same tidings." He reverently
uncovered his white head. Peace on
earth, good will towards men 7 Martin,
Martin, be not deaf to that solemn charge
to humanity. You, as well as myself,
have a grandchild; but you, unlike me,
have bread and to spare to feed Its hun
ger. have two little ones dependent on
me, and here on this Christmas eve,
come to ask for them what could not
demand for myself alone. VIII you send
me mpty-handed away?"
The pawnbroker looked up angrily from
his book, and fixed his eyes upon his
brothers face with a glance almost of
ferceness,
"Why should you look to me for It?
You chose your path In life-I mine. You
preferred to put confidence in knaves and
fools, and thus to sQuander what would
have kept you in your old age. 1, on the
contrary, was careful. Why should |
take from my own hard earnings to sup
port you in your ease and idleness? Be-
gone !"
With choking groan the old man obey
ed and as he reached the door he turned
once more and regarded his brother. The
dim light of the lamp fell upon the figure
of the pawnbroker as he pointed in stern
silence to the door. One more imploring
look, and he went forth, out into the fierce
wind and the driving sleet, out into the
mud and darkness, the cold and the Shiny
streets, out from that unnatural brothers
threshold!
-
"Now, gran'pa, isn't 1t magnificent 2"
And the little maiden never rela xino her