Evening journal., 1908-12-18
Levy'S KunfOrt Shoe House, 22S Market Street.
w EEM Sr@b Shoes.

Il suppose you'd be disappointed then"
Jaw come. Mike" said Water Front
Jim. Il got kids to home and l don't be-
lieve in robhn the Christmas tree. The
police has been to all the trouble to get
toys and things for 'em. And supposing
they 90 TO the City Hall tomorrow and
see-see-just empty branches. All the
things gone. What would you do if you
was a kid again"
That's all right" said Mike with an
oath Mike always uses an oath on the
night before Christmas when there are
dark things TO be done. But what will
you do with the money we sell the things
Won't YOU buy presents for your own
kids and give the woman seal-slSin sack
or somethin? ] bet YOU will. Come, Jim.
this is no time FOR sentiment or parlor
talk. Get up, it's midnight and the
city sleeps"
''rhe city sleeps" muttered Jim; then
suddenly. let 'er sleep"
An interval Of hve minutes was given
over TO a recitation Of the vocabulary nos
sessed by Mike and after he had ex-
hausted every expletive peculiar TO his
nature. he delivered a kick to Jim that
made him howl. Danny jumped to his feet
and was about to rush in az the door
when It was suddenly thrown open and
Mike and Jim came out in close embrace
and rolled into the alley.
"Wow-oo-oo." yelled Jim who N all
appearances was not having tho best Of
the night. Let me up. I'll help ye do
anything"
Mike disengaged himself and rose. At
that moment Danny got mixed between
the mans legs and in an effort to get out
tripped the fellow who fell his length
across tho alley striking his head on the
bricks Of the adjoining house. Jim saw
the boy. saw big Mike HELPLESS. and
springing 10 his feet jumped over the
prostrate form and dashed madIy down
the alley, swinging out TO Front street
and at gallop ran like a scared rabbit
to shelter But Mike did not stay down
Tor long. He scrambled desperately TO his
feet' stretched out his hands encounter
ed Danny and in 2 moment gripped him
with a Vice like iron. Danny thought his
hour had come and he knew he wasn't
prepared for it,
'Lemme CO." he cried.
Take that-and that-and that" cried
Mike. Then Il all became dark 10 Danny.
Christmas morning dawned at length
and the newsboy took an account of
stock TO see If he were whole stir. Find
ing that he was. he looked around. He got
TO his feet. felt in his pocket for the Is
cents. 1t was there sure enough and he
wondered il he had had a dream about
Water Front Jim and the man called
Mike
Il hate ter go home" he said TO him
self, I know what's comm. Wonder what
] can sayT'
Danny amblod out Of the alley ana
down Front street. There was a
neculiar something in the atmosphere
something that told Of wonderfui
holiday, that spoke Of thing that had
happened many, many years ago, of
good things 10 eat and toys and de
lights for the children. He came to
his house. set back I'm a court, dirty
grim, tall. An odor OF fried onion
filled the immediate surroundings and
Danny made a grimace. He went NJ
the bent stairs 10 the second foo,
tenement and cautiously opened the
door
"Where've YOU BEEN" said the wo
man at the stove. turning hurriedly
Gee, mother. but business was poor
Yesterday and l didn't dare come home
with only IL cents" said Danny
Fifteen cents" cried his mother. as
she reached ont bony hand and
grabbed Danny by the ear. Fifteen
cents. and this Christmas"
Danny began 10 cry. His sistei
Maggie. also began TO cry, and then
the baby started, and in a minut,
there was chorus Of noises thai
could be heard on the next block.
You can't go 10 the perlice Christ
mas tree" said the mother, 'iust fer