The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-01-09
Billy's skyscraper Christmas Tree.

80 pity submitted, but with very bad grace
And now when the time had come when he
really wished to go out Terry's Terrors were too
close by. Billy had incurred the enmitv of their
leader, Terry Joyce, by unconsciousy giving him
away to the new truant officer. The man was p
stranger to Billy who innocently answered his
questions as to IerTy's whereabouts. This resulted
IN 1errys forced attendance for two weeks at tbe
Jall-lke truant school-but he was free now all
me schools having been closed the dav before
Christmas for the holidays
Billy had heard of the terrible things Terry and
ms tough gang we're going to do to him. for Terry
was noted Tor his ceverness as a terrible avenger
They dared him to come out, but he only crinned
dehantly at them from his corner window. until
they got tired of taunting him. Then they went
down the street to the unfinished skyscraper hotel
where they sneaked past the watchman's shanty.
entered the building and up the ladders from
noor to floor of the tall skeleton until they reached
the top He them around the little tree that
had been placed upright the edge of the frame
work to show the highest point of construction had
been reached Billy felt interested in spite of him
self. He had noticed that custom before though
1T was sometimes flag, perhaps tree bough
why, it's a Christmas tree!" he exclaimed look
ing closely
Sure enough a small fir tree had been erected
Billy remembered reading, somewhere, of that be-
ing German custom, and he then recollected no.
uclng number OF German workmen employed on
the building.
Then his mother called him about something
When he came back all the gang had disappeared
The coast seemed clear. But something had Just
happened which he had not seen. There was
deadly feud between the Terrors and old "Dutchy"
the Waterman When they climbed down again to
the street they rushed" the tiny half-inclosed
shanty from behind, easily overturning it. Then
at a safe distance they hooted "Dutchy" as he
angrily crawled out from underneath.
Billy thought the gang had left so he ventured
out to go for a walk before supper time He
E1Oy hat If 4ha oloJ1
leave the house. from behind a fence.
That was why Billy Hart found himself pris-
oner. He was dragged behind the skyscraper and
his few yells stifed When he regained his breath.
he tried to explain to Terry what mistake it all
was, but Terry only laughed. Then. under the
threatening persuasion of heavy stick, Billy was
taken into the building and up the ladders to the
roof.
9hew! but it was cold up there! The wind
made their teeth chatter Terry led the captive
out over the loose boards to the little tree.
Look! amt it pretty, Billy This is yer
Christmas tree. Sorry we haven't no candles to
light er up; but you can stay up here fer a while
an have good time all by yer lonesome Come
on, felers. Keep back, there, Biy-we're going
TO take down the ladder"
And they bid poor Billy mocking goodnight,
they picked Their way over to the ladder. Then
something happened that brought them to a halt.
A voice came up from below.
Hey! You tnk l don't hear you ven you go
ubl Now you can choo'st Wait vile | gets de po-
licemansp
The ladder was gone.
"Say, 'Dutcheys got us dead. fellers!" groaned
Terry. The Terrors forgot all about their pris
oner in their awful trouble. But instead of gloat
ing over the way the tables had been turned Billy
did some quick thinking. Then he asked their de-
moralized leader for matches. Terry produced
handful.
"You chaps hold up your hats to keep off the
wind" Billy directed "Im going to set my nice
little tree on fire. It's only possible chance to
attract attention before ,EDutchy gets back. The
police stations long way off, and he may have to
go all the way there before he finds cop
"But what do you whether we git caught
or notw exclaimed Terry, surprised you amt
wanted"
4 know that. but l want to show you I didn't
get you in trouble before by trying to get you of
now; and besides, it's Christmas, too"
The dry fir tree made flaming torch as it
burnt quickly in the wind. They waved their
arms, and stood as near the blaze they dared so
it lighted them up Besides it helped keep them
warm How their hopes died out when that fire
died down. as the tree gradually consumed
ter ten long minutes. Finally the blaze grew
DINNER and DINNER. They were in despair when
Billy cried:
Listen! The fire engines! Maybe they've seen
us and think the buildings on fire.
And that was Just what happened. The engines |
drew np TO the building and the boys were rescued
as ouicklv as the fremen could mount to the top |
and replace the ladder Some of the tiremen were
for turning them over to the police as they weren't
satisfied with Terry's vague explanation. But the
Dig foreman laughed and sand;
'cNol they hadn't any business up there. but 1t
ro,ld he q shame to run 'em in Christmas; and |
bev're frozen to death besides Let 'em GO
But they hadn't gone half block before big
voice from behind roared Stop them
oDutchy" and the police had arrived minute
100 late Billy looked back. The officer had start
Follow me" he cried. its only chance"
And he ducked around the corner. When the po-
iceman got there, he found an empty street: he
searched all the area-ways and then gave 1t up
lisgusted. Terry's terrors had escaped INTO th5
basement of Billy's house.
RiIIy went straight to his parents and told them
he whole story. Fortunately. they were just the
lind of father and mother to know just what to