The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-01-10

/
MIGHTY
/ considerable fortune. He knew his
4 business from the bottom NJ, having
4 begun life selling bananas from bas
ket In the streets OF the city. Inch by
4 inch he progressed with that steady
/ thrift peculiar to a certain strain OF
/ Americans and bis thrift was vitalized
by spirit of enterprise. Each little
business triumph bad enabled him to
plan greater until he finally found
himself at the head OF the business,
Though he met many men he was not
one TO accumulate friends, and, ms for
women, they had no part In his life,
And yet this Is hardly true One wo-
man there was whose memory was
cherished in the secret recesses of Ills
heart. A chance acquaintanceshlp had
developed on his part to love, but, be-
Ing unused TO the graces Of social in
tercourse and having the reputation Of
being hard and grasplng man, he had
made but little progress With the pre-
cipitation Of business man he had
proposed marriage before she had even
learned to regard him as a friend and
when he was refused had returned to
his work with desperate energy that
made the thousands grow beneath bis
hand.
But on Christmas eve his success had
little value. Not even his books. for he
nau educated nimselT, could y1eId him
solace, and the sound Of merrymaking
on the streets but added to his dejec.
ton.
But he could reproach no one If 9th.
ers had no thought for him, for whom
did he have thought? At this ques
ton the quiet face Of Ethel Dangerfied
rose for moment In his memory, but
the vision was quickly brushed aside.
In his gloomy introspection he plunged
further back In his life, to the time
when he was lonely boy in the cold
and heartless city and there was no
Christmas for him. He could not re-
member his mother as living or his ia
Their as sober. II any one had been
kind to him, then life might have been
different Suddenly he was stung by
thought, and, springing from the sofa
where he was lying, he walked several
times eXcitedly from end to end Of his
bachelor apartment
TN do It, he finally exclaimed. "By
thunder, III do itr
Taking up his overcoat, he began TO
put II on when his eyes suddenly fell
on the clock, and he stopped, with
laugh. 1t was already after / O'Clock
Oh Christmas morning, and, Of course,
he could not carry out his purpose.
Throwing aside his coat, he resumed
his walking, but with happier ex-
preston on his countenance and u
lighter feeling at his heart than he had
known for many day. At length he
repaired to his little bedroom for the
night, where he slept with an easy
conscience.
On the following morning, when the |
Of all the world were rejoicing |
with their toys and reyellng In the |
good cheer Of Christmas, George Nor. |
gan. the wealthy fruit broker. came |
downtown from his apartments and |
picked his way carefully into one Of |
the worst sums. There were dirty and |
ragged children everywhere In the
streets, but all Of them had something |
to gladden. their hearts. 1t might be
only little rag doll or penny's worth |
Of candy but still II was something.
This man knew the city too well,
however, TO be deceived by appear
nnces. His boyhood had been spent IN
Just such street. and he knew that
such boy as he was In
quest OF could be found With an alert
eye he glanced down aIleyways and
among the garbage barrels until Gnal.
Iy IN the doorway o. n tumbledown
house he found the boy he way seeking.
A pathetic little figure with fearful
yes was budding out Of the reach Of
he biting wind With the skill Of
llplomatist Morgan proceeded with his
mission. He stopped In front Of the
doorway and looked up and down the
treet several times as II searching for
He then gave utterance
o an exclamation Of annoyance, which
.aused the little boy 70 look up at him
"Can you tell me where William
ones clothing store ~"
Instantly the boy frightened Here
yas an opportunity 10 earn nickel,
nd be was ~ the side Of his possible
'enefactJf ~ an instant
ITS just down de street. hin show
ou where Il is"
II wish You would. my little man"
nd he started 10 waiL in the direction
with the little boy al his
ide After d carefully timed pause.
gAiea case bis guide an opportunity
. look him over With the keen sagac
b Of street urchin. be asked:
did Sauta Claus come 70 see you
Isl nlghtT
Nav rei0ried the little arab, with
a expression 81 defiance that only
linly yelled bis disappointment
But you are going 10 have Christ /
.as dinner. are you aotr u