The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-20

The Spirit passed on lulo ah ODSoN quarter of the town. In junk shop piled with offal and refuse sat three ng- ures chaffer1ng with the frowsy owner. One, man dressed in rusty black was evidently an undertaker's assistant The other two were women whose attire showed them to be charwomen.
 Each had a bundle. The undertaker's man unrolled his and showed few cheap trinkets. The charwomen displayed sheets and towels and a bed curtain.
 '"They'd have wasted them by burying of i'm in them.' said one, spreading out a sheet But took 1t away from un- der i'm He Isn't likely to take cold with out em' and calico is good enough Tor i'm. He can't look uglier.'
 "You don't mean to say as you took 'em away and i'm lying dead therer' said the junk man, admiringly:. You were born to make your fortune"
 scrooge looked and listened with hor- TOT. Before he could grasp the mean ing of it he stood beside a bed-a bare, uncurtained bed It was his own, and on 1t, plundered, bare, uncared for, was body
 He fell to the ground and groveled at the Spirits feet. "Spiriti' he cried, Hear mel Hear mel If there is any being in the world who feels emotion caused by this mans death( show him to me, be- seech youl'
 The phantom spread it's dark robes like wing. Withdrawing them 1t revealed a room where a mother sat with her chil- dren, all evidently awaiting some one with anxious eagerness. At last there was a knock at the door. man with face careworn and furrowed, though he was still young, entered the room and clasped her to his breast. Scrooge rec ognized 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 a mild and good and patient creature, if ever face spoke truth; but she was thankful in her soul to hear 1t and said so with clasped hands.
 Yesl Soften 1t 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 endl
 Let me see some tenderness con- nected with death," sobbed Scrooge. T cannot bear thisp'
 Swiftly 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 Cratohits 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 wouldn't show weak eyes to your father for the world whenrhe comes home. It must be near his time."
 Past it, rather" said Peter. "But 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 with have known him walk with Tiny Tim on his shoulder. very fast indeed" And so have l." exclaimed Peter. "Often."
 And so have T." said mother. So had all.
 But he was very light to carry" resumed the mother, intent again Upon her work, land his father loved him so. And there Is your father at the door"
 She hurried toward him, and little Bob in his comforter came in, and they all tried who should make him the most comfortable. When he had been placed in the warmest corner the two little Cratchits climbed on his knees and laid their little cheeks against his face.
 Bob was very cheerful with them, , and spoke bravely to all the family But all at once he broke down and cried; My little, little child! My little child!"
 He left the room and went upstairs into the room which was lighted and hung with Christmas. There was a chair set close beside the child, and there were signs of some one having been there lately. Bob sat down, and when he had thought a little and com posed himself, he kissed the little face. Spirit" cried Scrooge, falling to his knees again and clasping his hands Why show me this. if 1t is determined past all hope?"
 The hand of the phantom seemed to shake.
 Good Spirit" implored Scrooge, "as- sure me that I may yet change these shadows of the future by an altered lifer'
 The kind hand trembled still more.
 "I will honor Christmas in my heart and keep 1t all the year. Oh, tell me I may sponge away these omens and these sorrows"
 Holding up his hands in his impassioned Irayer, he saw an alteration In the Spir- it's hood and veil. It shrank, collapsed and dwindle1 down into bed post.
 The bed post was his own. The bed was his own. The room was his own. The time before him was his own, to make amends in!
 "Oh, Jacob Marleyl' shouted Scrooge, scrambling out of bed. Heaven and the Christmas time be praised for this! I say 1t on my knees old Jacob! On my knees.
 | His hands were busy with his garments, putting them on inside out, mislaying them, making them parties to every kind of extravagance.
 In the midst of his excitement the bells crashed our. Clash, clash, hammer, ding, dong, dell, hammer, clang. clash, glor- ious, wonderful! He ran to a window and shouted to a boy below: whats to- day, my fine fellow?" | The boy stared at him amazed. 'To- day!'' said he. Why, Christmas!'' T haven't missed it," said Scrooge. ''The spirits did 1t all in one night. Hello. my fine fellow. Do you know a roulterer's shop? Why, of course you do! An intelligent boy! It's a pleasure to talk to you. Do you think that you could % around there and get the big eest turkey in the place? Come back with the man and I'll give you shilling. Come back in less than five minutes and 1 I'll give you half crown!' | The boy was off like a shot, "Ill send | 1t to Bob Cratchit. He shant know who sent it. What 1oke!' said Scrooge, his face beaming while his hand trembled so ha h ovJ1x rrjf jfo he ad