Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-11-14

ner-and maybe not that" he mused.
''Ye gods. but this is a plight And
Marinal Sorrow. sorrow. sorrow-
nothing but sorrow for her this Christ
mas day."
His cheeks. now shorn OF their
growth Of long hair. We're tear-stained
when he fell asleep that night before
Christmas-that night before the most
glorious day OF all the year. When
the dawn came Jerry was awakened
by the glad ringing OF the church bells.
He went 70 the door and looked
through a crack. The sky was cloud
less and the peeping sun strewed a
pathway OF diamonds before him.
There never has been a Christmas
morn when 7 awoke with gloom in my
heart. never n Christmas morning that
did not bring me happiness" he said
20 himself and I'll not let this one
be the first OF unhappiuess. TN be
glad and happy 10 don't eat a mouth
ful all day. IN smile until the day IS
gone; III greet as others greet. I'll
wish as others wish: IN give as 9TH
ers-" Here he stopped and laughed.
A few minutes later he was out OF
the car and trudglng through the
snow towards a street. He went 70
the back door OF the first house he
came to-a small. humble cot
'Win you give me a bite TO eat this
morning" he asked 81 a sweet-faced
voung woman who responded 10 his
rapping
I'VE haven't much for Christmas
breakfast" said she. almost apollo
getically, but you may share u
with us"
AS he sat at a table near the warm
kitchen stove be mentally invoked
blessings uron this housewife. and he
had just begun TO eat when her hus
band came into the room.
1T isn't much" said the husband. a
big young fellow with calloused hands.
but YOU are welcome 20 IL as you are
Go the air" lie sat down and talked.
Yes. IL is tough 10 have TO beg or
shovel snow FOR a Christmas meal"
said Jerry, but II may be tougher
not to have any at all"
"Oh. don't be discouraged. old man."
said the householder. Some day
thingsn De coming your way AID
yCIu f1rget all about this meager
bite. Don't set down In the mouth on
Christmas day OF all days. We're
going TO have a turkey dinner and
Wen be glad TO share the bird with
you. Come around"
I'm much obliged to you" said the
truly grateful Jerry. but you have
done your share already towards ma
king my Christmas happy. and I shall
never. never forget II. What is your
name?"
Richard Huntington" smiled the
man. What's yours"
Just now / am nameless-I prefer
70 be nameless. The number OF this
house?"
This is As Jefferson street" an
swered the man. What do you want
70 know that for?"
Il shouldn't mind telling you" smiled
Jerry, but know exactly what you'd
think after ! got through. So 1 guess
it's just as well for me to keep mum"
But we should like very much to
know" said the wife.
III tell you If you don't think I am
crazy Do appear to be n~possession
OF my senses?"
You certainly do" laughed Hunt
ington.
There really is nothing about me to
Indicate that am more than a mere
Christmas unfortunate. is there2"
You look like you've had your
share Of tough luck, that's ALL" said
the householder.
Well. III tell you why want your
name and address. Now, don't laugh;
take me seriously. On the goth OF next
June. II l am alive. you VIII receive
by telegraph enough money TO make
yoS reasonably independent. shall
not be wearing these rags then. and
my pockets will not be empty. Check
that day on your calendar-just for
the fun OF IT,"
When Jerry departed from that lit
tie nest he was determined that they
should receive on the day after his
second year OF absence from New
York enough to pay for that Christmas
breakfast, which he valued at infinite
ly more than the cost of the house
and lot.
He stopped at another house. moro
pretentious than the little cot he had
left but had the door slammed in his
face before he finished asking for a
pair of old shoes.
"Oh. a little thing like that can't
make me unhappy today" he said to
himself. as he went out of the yard.
I'll be happy even II they sic the
dogs on me-"
II was not long before he was on
one OF the principal thoroughfares.
where he stopped at many OF the at.
tractive windows. He turned down a
fashionable avenue a few minutes be-
fore III o'clock. his feet almost fro
zen and his face purple from the cold.
He reached church, from which the
music OF a pipe-organ came to bis ears.
He hesitated a minute and then went
into the temple OF worship. A dapper
young man in a frock coat eyed him
coidiy and merely pointed to the last
seat In the last pew. into which Jerry
slid. The CHURCH was crowded. but