Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1907-12-06

YOU drivihg A..
Nothing. nothing" exclaimed Hard
impetienily. I'm only stupidity think
ing aloud"
lie shook himself. arose and heraa
pacing the nooF with bis arms folded
behind him. Yenans whist!ed n hit
and slid OF the tahle tie yawned aud
picked up his hat. Il Say, here's pun
Its hard luck 10 lie rich. but lis al
ways been Hard's luck. There. A
merry Christmas 10 you. old fellow"
And Yemans left. slamming the door
behind him.
Hard dropped into his big chair
again and ran his fingers through his
heavy hair. In the hall were merry
calls, the shutting Of office doors and
the general stir OF an early closing up
Of business to which the owner of the
block paid no attention. He leaned his
elbow on the table and thought. while
HIS forehead fell into Its heaviest lines.
Presently there was a stir outside his
door, followed by faint rap. Come"
he shouted. but evidently the noise
drowned his voice. The knock was re-
peated. He arose and rather ungra-
ciously opened the door.
Before him stood queer combina-
ton: II did not take up much room
either in height or breadth. Had II
been twice as tall his eyes could have
looked over II ut Yemans just stepping
| into the elevator. Yemans was laugh
ing and thrusting his hands significant
| ~ into his pockets. The elevator hoy
was grinnlng. The dentist. locking his
door. was chuckling and winking NJ Il
doctor ringing for the ascending ele-
vator.
Then Hard, half weary, half affable
and wholly amused. said, Come In"
The combination entered II consist
ed OF morsel Of boy. pulling after
| him small red express wagon which
was filled to overlooking with some
thing carefully covered with an old
bedqullt At the TAIL of the cart Were
two upright sticks, from which was
sraped a piece of thin black cloth
pinned to the bedquilt halfway down
the cart.
Hard surveyed the procession as II
crossed the floor. He Is got up re-
gardless OF his feelings for the purpose
OF appealing 10 mine was his thought
as his hand involuntariiy wandered Il
his pocket.
The boy pulled the rafting express
cart across the soft rug TO the deSb
and laid the tongue down carefully
I'm Robert Allison BroXey,' he an
nounced working his hat loose from
his head and bowling gravely.
Hard returned the bow and followed
In the wake of the cart, feeling rather
supertluous as host. Il am glad Il
meet you. Robert Allison BroXley." Ii,
said solemnly. Il am Owen :. Hard.
The child regarded him steadily will
great black eyes set in dark ring
which extended low on his cheeks. TIL,
face ought to have been the face of ;
mere baby had not responsibility claim
ed its owner early and made of him ,
premature man.
81 knew who you was" Robert All
son Broxley said calmly. His fac
looked troubled, and Hard detected
suspicion of tears around the lon
black lashes and culver in the chi
, for which he could not account. Rol
ert's next words, however. confirme
him in the idea which had led hi
. hand to his pocket.
You are rich, amt you?" the littl
chap asked, laying hold of the blac
| cloth at the tail of the cart He aske
, In a queer voice which seemed to IL
: yite denial.
, Most people take it for granted tina
Fam" answered Hard dryly.
Robert did not understand the hit
3 den meaning. His face fell, and h
struggled with some emotion whic
1 caused him to draw his coat sleev
across his eyes. Then nobody don
). give you nothing for IA present, doe
4 they" he asked.
. Hard looked at the boy curiousl
s and said what he had interrupted hin
( self in saying to Yemans a few mt
|. ments before NO Robert; no one ha
3 made me present in ten years.
$ IFS sorry for yor." muttered Rober
and his hand again sought the blac
cloth. He raised one corner and pee
ed under. The sight evidently mac
him still more unwilling to uncover II
cart. "rs sorry for you" he repeate
holding down the corner of the clot
Wont you git sack of -four
clothes or broth or fruit or shoes
nothing tomorrow from nobody? an
iously.
mo, Robert" said Hard solemn
Probably no one will give me a 81
gle gift"
"You must have an awful bad time
sighed Robert.
well, l don't have very good tin
always on Christmas day" agree
Hard. "Do your
The child frightened. ooh. We
cause everybody is so good and Civ,
US lots and lots of things"
II never have" hazarded Hard, "ar
lam somebody"
Robert looked up. his eyes CROWN
wider. why, you know you've bee
| the coolest Of all. That's Why Fl
| glanced at the cart and checked hin
| self. You give my papa a fun'ral
| very nice fun'ral, too" cheerfully, "an
you sent US hen for tomorrow
There's better picliin' on rooster. yo
know, but the hen is very nice and ia
most as big as that rooster you sent G
] Thanksgivin' day. Hain't you no hel
left for yourself?' anxiously.
.r Funerals, hens" repeated Hal
TO muSingly. He had given so MANY r