The San Mateo item. (San Mateo City, Putnam County, Fla) 189?-19??, 1908-12-19

gan to show signs Of alarm.
TITS the pace OF modern business
sir" the physician snapped angrily
10 the attendant, who had been sent
up from the hospital Get him in
terested I'm something. It's his only
chance"
The man tried everything his fer
tile mind and thorough training could
suggest, but with no results. Craw-
ford sat silently by the window day
after day, looking vacantly at the
bare branches Of the trees and the
patches OF dull cloud drifting across
the early winter sky.
Christmas time found Crawford
propped in his chair, looking out over
world newly swathed in spotless
white. The doctor declared that nov
It was only a question Of time, and
the attendant had long since ceased
trying to rouse the sick mans dor
mant interest. On Christmas Day
Crawford opened an envelope from
the factory and found it enclosed a
substantial check He smiled bitter
" and handed it to the attendant
Here, take it! Merry Christmas!"
he said, in a colorless voice
At dusk it was showing again, and
just after the lights began to twinkle
through the gloom Crawford in his
chair, fell into a heavy slumber. He
was awakened by a lusty rapping at
the door. The attendant went into
the little hall and presently returned.
1.-TWO ladies and three gentlemen
to see you, sir" he said.
The visitors were ushered in, and
as thcy entered the room Crawford
gripped the arms of his chair and
stared with wide opened eyes. There
were two giggling girls from the wir-
ing department at the factory, two
men from the assembling bench and
the foreman of the brass room.
The girls Uttered and the men
looked iii at ease. Crawford sat up
in his chair. Two spots Of color came
into his wan cheeks. The foreman
advanced and cleared his throat.
We've come, sir" he said. looking
at the ceiling, ito show you that, even
II you're not with us, you're not for
gotten. Perhaps we haven't always
understood you, but anyway we know
you're the right sort. We've heard
all about your fight for an increase
for us, and even if we didn't get it,
we know II wasn't because you die
not do your best for us. So to show
cur respect for you and your efforts
In our behalf we've brought you this"
He tore the covering from a parcel
be bore and held out a silk umbrella
with a large pearl and silver handle.
"And-and Merry Christmas!" he
finished.
merry Christmas!" echoed the two
other men and the two girls.
A lump rose in Crawford's throat.
He could only beam upon them and
mutter feebly, merry Christmas to
you!"
Some few minutes after the com.
mittee from the factory had gone the
doctor came busting into the hall.
The attendant met him and shook a
warning finger at him. The doctor
craned his neck and peeped cautious
ly into the room.
Crawford sat under the light. His
head was hidden in the crook OF one
arm that rested on the window sill.
Clutched tightly in the other was
silk umbrella with a large pearl and
silver handle. Crawford's shoulders
rose and fell convulsively; he was
sobbing like a child.
The doctor smiled in comprehen.
sion. Good" he declared, emphati.
cally. That's something like!"
And turning on his heel he stole
softly down the stairs.-From Youths
COMPANION.