The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-12-29

They LETT the busy scene, ana
went into an obscure part of the
town, where Scrooge had never
penetrated before, although he rec
'ognized it's situation and its bad
repute. The ways were foul and
narrow; the shops and houses
wretcheda the people half-naked,
drunken, slipshod, ugly. Alleys and
archways, like SO many cesspools.
disgorged their offences of smell,
and dirt, and life, upon the strag-
cling streets; and the whole quar-
Ter reeked with crime, with filth
and misery.
Far in this den of infamous re-
sort, there was a low-brOwed, beet
ling shop, below a penthouse roof,
where iron, old rags, bottles, bones
and greasy offal were bought. Up
on the floor within, were piled up
heaps of rusty keys, nails, chains,
hinges, files, scales, weights and
refuse iron of all kinds. Secrets
that few would like to scrutinize
we're bred and hidden IN noun
tains of unseemly rags, masses OF
corrupted fat, and sepulchres of
bones. Sitting in among the wares
he, dealt in, by charcoal stove,
made of old bricks, was a gray
haired rascal, nearly seventy-flve
years of age; who had screened
himself from the cold air without,
by a frouzy curtaining Oh miscel-
laneous tatters hung upon a line;
and smoked his pipe in all the
luxury of calm retirement.
Scrooge and the Phantom came
into the presence of this man, just
as a woman with a heavy bundle
SUNK into the shop. But she had
scarcely entered when another
woman, similarly laden. came in
zoo; and. she was closely followed
by a man in faded black, who was
no less startled by the sight of
them, than they had been upon
the recognition of each other.
After a short period of blank as
constituent, in which the old man
with the pipe had joined them.
they all three burst into a laugh.
"Let the charwoman alone to be
the first" cried she who had en-
tered first. LET the laundress
alone to be the second: and let
the undertaker's man alone to be
the third. Look here, old Joe,
here's a chance! If we haven't all
lhree met here without meaning
it,"
"You couldn't have met in a bet
ter place. said old Joe. removing
his pipe from his mouth. Come
into the parlor. You were made
free of it long ago, you know; and
he other two amt strangers. Stop
ill | shut the door of the shop.
All How it skrceks, There
amt such a rusty bit of metal in
the place as its own hinges, | be-
lieve; and I'm sure there's no such
old bones here, as mine. lla, ha.
We're all suitable to our calling,
we're well matched Come into
the parlor. Come into the parlor. y
The, parlor was the space behind
the screen of rags. The old man
raked the fire together with an
old stair-rod, and having trimmed
mis- smoky lamp (for it was night
with the stem of his pipe, put it
INTO his mouth again.
While he did this, the woman
who had already spoken threw her
bundle on the floor and sat down
in Haunting manner on stool;
crossing her elbows on her knees,
and looking with a bold defiance
at the other two.
"What odds them What odds.
Mrs. Dilber?" said the woman.
Every person has right to take
care of themselves. lie always
did"
THAT'S true, indeed" said the
laundiess. mo man more SO"
"Why, then, don't stand staring
as If you was afraid. woman,
who's the wiser? We're not going
to pick holes in each others coats,
| SUPPOSE"
mo. indeed" said Mrs. Dilber
and the man together. I'VE should
hope not
every well, them" cried the
woman. That's enough. Who's
he worse for the loss of q few
things like these? Not a dead
man. | suppose
NO. indeed said Mrs, Dilber,
laughing.
IF he wanted to keep EN- after
he was dead, a wicked old screw"
pursued the woman, why wasn't
he natural in his lifetime? II he
had been, he'd have had somebody
10 lock after him when he was
struck with Death, instead of lying
gasping out his last there, alone
by himself"
Its the truest word that ever
vas spoke" said Mrs. Dilber. Its
Judgment on HIM"
| wish it was a little heavier