The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-12-18

1t put out its strong hand as it
spoke, and clasped him gently by
the arm.
Rise. and walk with me-
1t would have been in vain for
ScrOOgc to plead that the weather
and the hour were not adapted to
pedestrian purposes; that bed was
warm. and the thermometer a long
way below freezing: that he was
clad but lightly in his slippers,
dressing gown and nightcap;a and
that he had cold upon him at
thar time. The grasp, though gem
tie as woman's hand, was not to
be resisted He rose: but finding
that the Spirit made toward the
window, clasped its robe in suppli-
cation
Il am a mortal" Scrooge remon-
strated, and liable to fall"
Bear but a touch of my hand
there" said the Spirit, laying it up
On his heart, and you shall be up
held in more than this"
As the words We're spoken, they
passed through the wall, and stood
upon an open country road, with
fields on either hand. The city
had vanished. Not a vestige of it
was to be sen. The darkness and
the mist had vanished with it, for
it was a clear, cold, winter day,
with snow upon the ground.
Good Heaven" said Scrooge.
clasping his hands together. as he
looked about him. II was bred in
this place. | was a boy herr"
The Spirit gaZed upon him mild
ly. It's gentle touch, though it had
been light and instantaneous, ap-
peared still present to the old
mans sense of feeling. He was
conscious of a thousand Odors float
ing in the air, each one connected
with a thousand thoughts, and
hopes, and joys, and cares. long,
long forgotten.
"Yeur lip is trembling" said the
Ghost. And what is that upon
}our- cheeE?"
ScrOcge muttered, with an un-
usual catching in his voice, that it
vas q pimple; and begged the
Ghost to lead him where he would
You recOllect the way?' inquir-
d the Spirit.
Remember it," cried Scorge.
With feryor; I could walk it blind
folded
Strange to have forgotten it for
o many years." observed the
Chest. Let us go on
They walked along the road.
5cro9go recognizing every gate,
md post, and tire; until little
narkettoWn appeared in the dis
ance, with its bridge. its church.
md winding river. Some shaggy
On'es now were seen trOtting to-
;ard them with boys uron their
lacks, who called TO other boys in
country gigs and carts driven by
farmers. All these boys were in
great spirits, and shouted to each
Their until the broad fields We're
so full Of merry mu sic that the
crisp air laughed TO hear it.
These are but shadows of the
nings that have been" said the
Ghost. They have no conscious
less of us
The jocund travellers came on !;
md as they cane, Scrooge knew
md named them every one Why
vas he rejOiced beyond all bounds
TO see them. Why did his cold eye
Elisten, and his heart leap up as
they went past. Why was he s.lled
nth gladness when he heard them
rive each other Merry Christmas
IS they parted at cross roads and
byways, for their several homes
What was merry Christmas to
Scroogef Out upon merry Christ
mas What good had II ever done
| to him?
The school is not quite de
7erted,' said the Ghost. "A soli
| AIRY child, neglected by his friends
| is left there still"
Scrooge said he knew it. And
he sobbed.
They left the high road. by 8
wellrcmenbcred lane, and soon ap
| preached a mission of dull red
| brick, with a little weathercock- sur
| mounted cupola. on the roof. and .
lbell hanging in il. II was large
1 house. but one of broken fortunes
for the spacious offices were little
used, their walls We're damp and
messy. their windows broken, ans
| their gates decaycd Fowls cluckeC
! and strutted in the stables, and the