Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-12
CHAPTER m-without Benefit OF
Clergy

nEE QlAylnk WIFI younger G1ACaf VIM
revelied IN the gifts he had brought
ever had there been such a surprise.
Never had there been such gorgeous pres
ents for little folks. This was a land in
which there were no toys. a country too
young for babes; and any one whose
youth had been like that OF other children
would have seen a pathos IN the Joy Of
these two. Poleon had been hard put to
Il to find anything suitable for his little
friends. for although there was all man
ner OF merchandise coming into Dawson,
none OF IL was designed for tiny people,
not even clothes
II was evident that he had pleased them,
Cor when he apeared they ran at his legs
ike twin cubs. incohersnt and noisy. the
pleasure within them too turbulent for
expression They had never played with
a toy that Poleon had not built for them,
nor worn a garment that Aliuna had not
made This. then, was q day Of revela-
tons for the first thing they beheld upon
opening their packs was pair OF rubber
boots for each They were ladies' knee
boots. the smallest size In stock. but the
Gales entered them bodily. 50 20 speak.
noccasins and all. clear to their hips.
Ike the waders that duck-hunterB
use. When they ran they fell down
and out OF them. but their pride remain
ed upright and serene. for were not these
Ike the boots that Poleon wore. and not
OF Indian make. with foolish beads on
them9 Next. the youthful heir had found
straw hat OF strange and wondrous
fashion. with a brim Ike q board and a
hand OF blue. which Poleon had bought
from a college man who had retained this
emblem OF his past to the final moment.
Like the Boots, II was much too large
for little John, and hard 10 master but II
made q brave display, as did a red era
vat which covered his front like a base
ball catchsr's harness. Molly had also
two sets Of side-combs. gorgeously orna-
mented with glass diamonds. and a
sfiver-handled toothbrush. with which
she scrubbed the lame puppy. This pup
py had three legs and the mango. and he
was her particular pride
There were certain other things, the use
Of which they did not understand, like
Queer-smelling. soft. yellow balls. which
Neeia said were oranges and good TO
eat although the skins were leathery
and very bitter, nor were they nearly so
pleasant TO the nose as the toilet soap.
which Necia would not allow them even
to taste. Then there was a box OF choco-
late candies such as the superintendent
OF ST Michael's ssnt them every spring.
ana an stOmixer. which Necia had filed
xfth Florida water. This worked on the
puppy even better than the toothbrush
The elder girl laughed gladly as Poleon
entered, though her eyes were wet with
the pity OF IT
You seem to bring sunshine wherever
YOU 60" she said They have never
had things TO play with Ike other chill
dren. and Il makes me cry 70 watch
them
~Ho. hoV' he chuckled. dds aim no
time for cryin'. Ba goshI I guess you
don have so much present wen you was
lii gal you'se'f. w'at2 Maybe you tink
forget YOU Wal. didn't"
He began to undo the fastenings 70 a
parcel he earned in his arms. for Ma
poIeon Doret had brought other things
from Dawson besides his gifts TO the
children. Nicola snatched at the package
Don't you dare open it, Why, that's
half the fun She was child herself
now, and her face flushed and her hands
a-trembIe. Taking the package TO the
table. she hurrfedly united the knots
while he stood watching her. his teeth
showing white against his dark face. and
HIS eyes half shut. as II dazzled BY the
sight OF her.
..Oh. why didn't you tie more knots in
ftTs she breathed as she undid the last
and then. opening the wrappings slowly
she gasped In astonishment She shook II
out gently, reverentIy-a clinging black
lace gown OF Paris make. Next she open
ed q box and took from II q picture hat,
with long pet plumes, which she stroked
and pressed fondly against her face.
There were other garments also-a siIken
petticoat. silk stockings. and a pair Of
hfgh-heeled shoes TO match, with certain
other delicate and dainty things which
abe modestly forbore to inspect before
the Frenchman, who said no word, but
only Eazed at her, and for whom she had
no eyes as yet Finally she laid her pres
ents aside. and. turning to him, said. in
a hushed. awe-strfcken voice:
It's all there. everything complete!
on. Poleon-you dear. dear Poleon!" She
took hts two big hands by the thumbs.
as had been her custom ever since she
Was child. and looked up at him. her
eyes wet with emotion But she could not
keep away from the dress for long, and
returned TO feast her eyes upon II,
the two children standing beside her,
sproutfng ont OF their rubber boots,
with eyes and mouths round and pro-
truding.
You lax 1t. chr" pressed Poleon.
hungry for more demonstrative express
sion
"Oh-h," she sighed. can't you seer
Where on earth did you get 1T" Then
suddenly realizing its value. she cried,
why, ii must have cost a fortune!" A
quick reproach leaped into her face, but
he only laughed again
Wan night I gamble in beeg saloon
Yes, sir I gamble good dat night, too.
For vile I play roulette. den I dance,
den / play some more. an by-an'-by I
see a new dance gal She's Franche
gal, from Montreal. OATS de one tot
you bout. Be- Carl She's swell dress,
too. She's name Marie Bourgette."
''Oh, I've heard about her" said Ne
cia- She owns a claim on Bonanza
eek"
sure, she's frien's Wit Charlie Nc
Cormack, dat richie Teller. but I don
know it dis. tam. so ask her for dance
Wit me. Den we drink q bottle Of
hampagne-twenty dollar.
"sMamselle.' I say, how much you
charge for sell me dat dressF
For Wy shall sell i'm. she say; 7
dom wear i'm before till tonight. an ]
dom get no more dress LAX dis for
t'ousan' dollar
For Wy you sell 'imT say. Bic
cause I'll tax I'm down TO Flambeau
for Secia Gale. wat never had no dress
lax dat in all her life Wal. sir. dat
Marie Bourgette, she's hear OF you be-
fore. an your dad. too-mos all dose
cheechakOs know bout Old Man Gale
80 she say:
wat Iookin' kind OF Eal is dis Ne
cia~ An 1 tell her all bout you.