The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-20

his business aeauaIntances who stood on Change as he and they stood every day 'So he's dead" said one. ' thought he'd never die"
 suppose we make up party and volunteer to go to his funeral" said another "epp6n my soul I don't know who'll g0Iff we don't"
 T donT taiSla going if lunch is must be led If T make one"
 They all laughed and strolled away.
 The Spirit glided toward another group. There. too. were men whom he knew perfectly, very wealthy men of great importance. He had always made It a point to stand well in their esteem.
 50 old Scratch has got his own at last. eh," said one. and the rest laugh. ed and then talked of the weather.
 The Spirit passed on Into an obscure quarter of the town. In a junk shop piled with offal and refuse sat three figures chaffering with the frowsy owner. One. man dressed in rusty black, YVES evidently an undertaker's . assistant The other two were women whose attire showed them to be char women. 11Dq
 Each had. a bundle. The undertak- er's manf unrolled his and showed a
 
 displayed sheets and towels and a bed
 ''They'asl1ave wasted them by bury Ing of i'm In them" said one, spread Ing out a sheet, But I took 1t away from under i'm. He isn't likely to take cold without lem, and calico is good enough for i'm. He can't look uglier."
 You don't mean to say as you took 'om away and i'm lying dead thereg' gaid the junk man, admirlngly. You were born to make your fortune"
 Scrooge looked and listened with horror. Before he could grasp the meaning of 1t he stood beside bed a bare, uncurtained bed. It was his own, and on 1t. plundered. bare, un- cared for, was a body.
 He fell to the ground and groveled at the Spirits feet. "Spirlt?' he cried, Hear me! Hear mel If there is any being in the world who feels emotion caused by this mans death. show him to me, I beseech your
 The phantom spread it's dark robes like wing. Withdrawing them, 1t revealed a room where a mother sat with her children, all evidently await ing some one with anxious eagerness. At last there was a knock at the door. A man with a face careworn and fur rowed. though he was still young. en- tered the room and clasped her to his breast. Serooge recognized him as one of his debtors.
 We are saved!" said he solemnly. He died last night, By the time his affairs are turned over to his heirs. if he has any, we will be ready with the money; but even if we were not we Are not likely to find another creditor so merciless."
 She was mild and good and patient creature, if ever a face spoke truth: but she was thankful in her soul to hear it and said so with clasped hands.
 Vest Soften It as they would, their hearts were lighter for his death The only human emotion that the Spirit could show him was one of relief caused by this mans end!"
 Let me see. some tenderness con- nected with death." sobbed ScrooEe. "I cannot bear thisi"
 Swlrtly the Spirit glided through the streets and entered poor Bob cratchit's' house.
 The mother and the children were seated around the fire. all except Tiny Tim. Quiet. very quiet were they The noisy little Cratchits sat like statues in a corner and listened to Peter, who was reading aloud from thick book.
 And He took a child and set him in the midst Of them
 The mother laid down her sewing and put her hand to her face. "The color hurts my eyes" said she. And I .ldn't show weak eyes to your father
 the world when he comes home. It h ist be near his time"
 Past 1t, ratheF,p said Peter. But I think he has walked a little slower than usual these last few evenings, mother"
 They were very quiet again. At last she said, in a steady voice that only faltered once:
 T have known him walk Wlth-I