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

stirred as if by hot air. As Scrooge looked fxedIy at this phenomenon 1t was a lNpocker again.
 His blood was conscious of a terrible sensation to which it had been a stranger from infancy.> But he turned the key, walked in, lit his candle and ascended.
 WAen he entered his own rooms he double loeRed the doors and walked through his apartments to see that all was right He had just enough recollec- ton of the face to desire to do that Quite satisfied, he put on his dressing gown, slippers and nightcap. and sat down before the fire. All at once the bell that hung in his room began to ring wildly. Every bell in the house pealed out. Then they all stopped, and scrooge heard sound as of a dragging chain below.
 It came up the stairs. It came straight to his door.
 'Humbugl" said Scrooge.
 Without a pause it came through the heavy door. Before him stood Marley in his pigtail. tights and boots as he was in life, except that he was transparent Scrooge had often heard it said that Mar ley had no bowels but he had never be- neved 1t till now.
 Around Marley's waist was a great chain, that was wound around him like a tail. scrooge observed that it was made of cash boxes. keys, ledgers, deeds and purses wrought in steel
 The spirit raised a dreadful wailing cry and shook its chain. Would you know" 1t asked, '-the weight and length of the fetters that you bear yourself? They were fully as heavy and as long as these seven Christmas eyes ago. You have labored on them since. They make a ponderous chainl'
 'But you were always a good man of business, Jacob" faltered scrooge.
 ''Businessl" cried the ghost, wringing it's hands. Mankind was my business The common welfare was my business. Charity, mercy, forbearance and benevo- lence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of nay busi- nessv
 It held up its chain and flung 1t heavi- ly to the floor again.
 'Iisten. Ebenezer scrooger continued the ghost. T am here to give you a chance to escape my fate. Three Spirits will come to you. Expect the first to- morrow when the clock tolls Onel Ex- pect the second on the next night at the same time. The third will come on the next night when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate."
 vbort rua1irad +o raised its hand. scrooge became sensible of confused noises in the air; incoherent sounds of lamentation and regret; wall ings inexpressibly sorrowful. The ghost joined in the mournful dirge and hoated out Into the bleak. dark night.
 Scrooge followed to the window, des- perate in his curiosity. The air was filled with phantoms, wandering in restless haste. Every one wore chains like Marley. He saw one old ghost in a white waistcoat whom he had known well in life. A monstrous safe was attached to his ankle and he cried piteously at being unable to help a wretched woman with an infant whom he saw below on a doorstep.
 Scrooge stepped back from the win dow, dropped on his bed and knew no more till he was awakened by the heavy stroke of the tower clock: Onei
 A great light flashed up in the room. Before him stood strange figure. like child, and yet not so like a child as an old man viewed through some supernatural medium which gave him the appearance of having receded from view and being diminished to a child's proportions. It wore a pure white tunio and bore a holly branch.
 What are your" said Scrooge with a trembling voice.
 'T am the ghost of Christmas Past" replied the Spirit. Arise, and come with mel"
 The Spirit grasped his wrist with a hand delicate as a woman's, but not to be resisted. It moved straight to- ward the window. and Scrooge fell to his knees.
 My hand shall up-bear you in more than this." said the Spirit The next instant they stood on an open country road, in the brightness of a clear win ter day.
 Good heavenp said scroogs. q was boy herew
 Strange to have forgotten it 50 many yearsp said the Spirit.
 They went on. Scrooge noting and remembering every little landmark. every gate and post and tree. At last they came to a school building. and. entering, beheld lonely boy reading by the fire Scrooge sat down upon a form and a tear stole down his hard old face at the sight of his own for gotten self
 The Spirit touched him on the arm and pointed to the window. A man in Oriental garments, with an axe in hls belt, leading an ass by the bride, stood there, looking in.
 Why, it's Ali Babal" exclaimed Scrooge, forgetting all about his counting house. Yes. yes! One Christmas time he came for the first time, just like thati And what's his name who was put down at the gates of Damascus in his sleepl And the sultan's groom turned upside down by the geniii And there goes Robin son Crusoev
 The door opened and little girl came running in and put her arms around the boy and kissed him again and again, and told him that she had come to take him home. Home, home, home Home, dear, dear brotherr' cried she clapping her lit- 41a bondc and dra qoino hin, xyitl, cbiIdie,