The Washington herald., 1907-12-25

George Wellington McCombs, late of the
British empire and more recently of the
corner saloon, walked sedately along one
OF the downtown streets the other after
room, surrounded by crowds Of holiday
shoppers and the smell Of whisky. which
didn't come from the former.
The lump in George Wellington's back
pocket probably came from a bottle; his
sedateness came from a long familiarity
with its contents, but it never verged
into ribaId mirth. His eye was cast, for
the most part. upon the ground and he
took but slight notice of the passersby.
His step, Iistless from drink, was slow,
even If carefully taken.
But with all George Wenington's alb
Ject demeanor there was something about
his bald that might make a man who
wasn't too Interested In buying gifts for
the Riddles" look at him twice His
broad hack. with a neat-ftting suit Of
blue. his wide. straight shoulders and his
head, which. evidently. was sometimes
carried well back, marked him as man
who had worn the colors Of some regi-
ment or other in days past.
At last evening the booze-soaked spirit
Of George Wellington seemed 10 rouse
under the spell of Christmas. for. as he
passed in and out among the throng.
his step became "A trifes quicker. his head
was raised a little and his eyes took In
some of the details of the scene. Paus-
ing at last before a window I'm which a
Santa Claus stood before an admiring
throng. George Wellington stood in ST.
len soliloquy for moment or two.
BY! It's my old captain OF the 1Ust." ."
he said The unsteady hand Of George
Wellington came to the regulation salute
Of the trained soldier HIS heels clicked
together, and his head came back To
the proper position of a soldier
i have TO report, sir" he continued.
while the crowd wondered al the little
drama. that I am drunk"
As the captain Of the lmst didn't answer
or make any sign, George Wellington
seemed to conclude that ne was dis
missed
I'm going to the guard house. sir 20
sleep it of" He turned and marched
away.
He was rather tired looking for a young
man, and evidently married. although Il
should be stated at the beginning that
the latter is TO sufficient reason for his
fagged-out look. But the little boy By
his side. sitting huddled close 10 him in
a Connecticut avenue car bound city
ward. made il reasonably safe 10 assume
that he was the father.
The child sat very quiet for block after
block. while the father, absorbed in con-
temptation Of his own troubles. said never
word and looked up but little
When the conductor passed through.
the man handed out quarter. The fare
taker. as is customary. asked If he want
ed tickets. Never a word answered the
silent one as he looked back He shook
his head. took back his change soberIy.
put it in his pocket. ard again turned to
his examination Of the beautiful atmos-
phere OF the car.
The woman sitting next 70 the boy. en-
couraged by his good. little rosy face.
bent over and was soon engaged in talk
ing about the coming Christmas The
man never ceased his look forward al
nothing. until at last his sons new-found
friend perturbed evidently by the mans
cool reception Of her friendly advances.
made a last gesture Of despair and turned
away
The car meanwhile had sped down the
avenue, turned into II street. and was al
most 10 the downtown section
The little lad was growing excited. His