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

| snow away. The sky was gloomy. The streets were choked with mist and va pors There was nothing very cheerful in the day or in the town; yet every where an air of cheerfulness was abroad. The shops were radiant with glorious things to eat and drink. The customers crashed into each others baskets wildly, forgot their purchases and their change in their excitement, made a hundred mis- takes and laughed the more for each one.
 The very goldfish in the grocer's window seemed to know that there was around and around their little world in slow and passionless excitement.
 On the streets were innumerable poor people carrying their dinners to the bakers shops to be cooked. As these humble revelers passed him the spirit never failed to sprinkle incense on their dishes from his torch.
 They went on into the suburbs of the city. Straight into the house of Scrooge's clerk went the spirit, and Scrooge observed 1t as a remarkable quality of the ghost that he stood be- meath the low roof quite as gloriously and like a supernatural creature as If he had been in the loftiest hall.
 On the threshold he stopped to bless Bob Cratchit's dwelling with the sprinklings of his torch. Bob had but Is bob" week himself. He pocketed on Saturdays only 15 copies of his Christian name; yet the ghost of Christmas Present blessed his four roomed housel
 Mrs. Cratchit was dressed but poor ly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons which are oh cap and make goodly show for sixpence. Master Peter Cratchit sat In a monstrous shirt collar (Bob's private property con ferred on his son in honor of the day), and, rejoicing to find himself so gal lantly attired, yearned to show his linen in the fashionable parks. Two smaller Cratchits burst In and screamed that they had smelled the goose cooking in the bakers shop and know it for their own. And then Bob came in. his threadbare clothes alarmed and brushed to look seasonable. and Tiny Tim upon his shoulder.
 Alas! for Tiny Tim, he bore a little crutch and had his limbs supported by an iron frame!
 They all ran at him, and the strong young Cratchits carried Tiny Tim to the wash house that he might hear the pudding singing in the copper, and Bob told Mrs. Bob how good Tiny Tim had been at church, and how on the way home he had said that he hoped the people saw him in church, because he was a cripple and 1t might be pleasant for them to remember on Christmas Day who made lame beggars walk and blind men see.
 Bob's voice was tremulous when he told them this, and trembled more when he said that Tiny Tim was growing strong Gnd hearty
 His active little crutch was heard upon the floor, and back came Tiny Tim, es- corted by his brother and sister, to a place beside the fire. Bob turned up his cuffs as if, poor fellow. they could be made more shabby. and compounded a hot mixture in jug. Master Peter and the two younger Cratchits went to fetch the goose, with which they returned in high procession
 The young Cratchits set chairs for everybody and then crammed their spoons into their mouths lest they should shriek for goose before their turn Bob took Tiny Tim beside him in a tiny corner at the table. Grace was said, and when Mrs. Cratcnit cut into the breast and the gush of the stuffing issued forth, even Tiny Tim, excited by the two young Cratchits,