Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-01-31


from the silent waltz to have a close
look at him; and when in his thoughts
he asked them how they were. and
whether they were enjoying them
selves, they grinned and nodded at
him, and seemed to say:
every much, indeed, very much, in
deed. And how are you, old fellow?
and how are you enjoying yourself"
"Quite we'll, thank you," he replied,
quietly. "Pray. don't stop on my ac-
count. Go round-go round. There's
number of little circles up there.
and you'll just fit into them. And
there's my boots waiting for partners.
But upon my soul and body, If any
little boy or girl would tell me what it
all means, l give 'em brand new far
den. 1t won't last long, that's one
comfort"
For it was all over once more. and
every article in the room was as sober
as judge.
He felt so thirsty that he determined
to have another cup of tea, cold as 1t
was; but whom he put out his hand he
could not find the tea things.
He managed to crane his head over
The bedside, and there upon the floor
lay the teapot, cup and saucer, broken
in dozen pieces.
"Now, how did that happens" he
wondered; mot a moment ago they
were as sound as l am. and l didn't
hear anything fall. It's that con-
founded waltzing, l suppose. Enough
to upset everything in the place. New
er mind, I'll have some water
But to say he would have some wa
ter was one thing, and to have some
water was another. The water in the
jug was mass of ice.
To crawl out of bed and get sharp
pointed knife and to crawl back again
and dig into the ice with the
knife till he obtained sufficient to as
suage his thirst, occupied him much
longer than he supposed. for he had
lost count of time and intervals which
he reckoned as so many minutes were
in reality so many hours.
I'm as weak as kitten" he
thought; "but come what will, I'll
have some sleep, or III know the rea-
son why"
So he winked at his fathers night
cap, and saying, "If you're going to
have another waltz, Lave the goodness
to let me know beforehand turned on
his side and fell into sleep less dis
turbed than he had previously enjoyed.
His dreams were not so eXtravagant,
but were sufficiently fantastic.
Ills predominant fancy was that he
was walking through scores and
scores of alleys and courts and narrow
streets for the purpose of asking the
little boys and girls what 1T all meant.
Every one he asked returned the
same answer, and to every one who
him he gave brand new
farthing. The answer was:
"Old DeXter's had fever" Not
you've had fever" but "Old Dex-
ter's had a fever" as if lie himself
was somebody else.
'But look here" he said to young
imp with weak eyes and red hair;
I'm old Dexter"
"Gammon!" retorted the young imp,
with scornful snap of his fingers.
Did you ever see old Dexter going
about as you're a-Going on, with sack
of brand new fardens on his back, Civ
ing 'em away as if they was stones?
You old Dexter. Tell that to the ma
rines."
Ey which speech the dreamer knew
that he carried OF his back sack
filed with the new farthings he was
giving away so literally.
lie did not find it at all an unp!eas-
ant sort of hump, and Eotwithstand-
ing that there were thousands Of farth-
ings in it, it was as light as bag of
feathers.
He went about to other boys and
girls, and tried to bribe them with adj
mitting that he was old Dexter, and
TO other fellow; but bribc them rs lie
might, he could not get them to admit
that he was himself.
Said one, "Arsk old Sally If you don't
believe us, and give her four farth-
ings."
Old Sally was blind woman who
stood begging on the curbstone every
Saturday night in Glare Market, within
.wenty yard- of Thomas Dexter's shop.
The dreamer gave her four far,hings,
saying:
I'm Thomas Dexter
"No, no. Kind sir" said Sally.
you're hidinA your charity under an
other name than your own. Thomas
Dexter never gives anything to the
poor"
Here you, sir" cried the dreamer to
n figure in a gray cloak that happened,
eddy, to come his way. Tell me why
old Sally and the little chaps wont
recognize me. I should like to know,
really, and I'll pay yer for the informa-
tion."
PAY me-. them" said the figure. hold
ing out his two hands, which the
dreamer filed with farthings, "and
look and learn"
He flung the farthings into the air,
and they changed instantly into little
birds, their feathers the colors of the
rainbow.
The odd part of the affair was that
every bird wore q white apron, like a
waiter, and every one of them carried