Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-12-06

the dining room lock. I'll go in here
my dear"
He turned it gently and sidled his
face in round the door. They were
looking at the table, which was spread
out in great array. for these young
housekeepers are always nervous on
such points and like to see that every
thing is right.
Fred" said Scrcoge.
why. bless my SOUL" cried Fred
who's that?"
It's I-your Uncle Scrooge. / have
come to dinner. Will you let me in
Fred?"
Let him in. 1t is mercy he didn't
shake his arm off. He was at home
in five minutes. Nothing could be
heartier His niece looked just the
same So did Topper when he came
So did the plump sister when she
came So did every one when he
came. Wonderful party, wonderful
games, wonderful! unanimity, wonder
full happiness.
But he was early at the office next
morning. Oh, he was early there. II
he could only be there first and catch
Bob Cratchit coming late! That was
the thing he had set his heart upon.
And he did it-yes, he did. The
clock struck nine-nO Bob; quarter
past-no Bob. He was full eighteen
minutes and a half behind his time
Scrooge sat with his door wide open
that he might see him come into the
tank.
His hat was off before he opened
the door-his comforter too. He was
on his stool in a jiffy, driving away
with his pen as if he were trying 10
overtake 9 o'clock.
"Hello!" growled Scrooge in his ac-
feign it. What do you mean by
coming here at this time of the day."
I'm very sorry, sir" said Bob. i
am behind my time"
You are?" repeated Scrooge. Yes,
I think you are. Step this way If you
please"
IT'S only once year, SIR" pleaded
Bob, appearing from the tank. 1T
shall not be repeated. l was making
rather merry yesterday. SIR
Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,
said Scrooge: II am not going to stand
this sort of thing any longer. AND
therefore" he continued, leaping from
his stool and giving Bob such dig IN
the waistcoGt that he staggered back
into the tank again-"and therefore
| am ABOUT 10 raise yOul SdiaiS'
Bob trembled and got little nearer
to the ruler. He had a momentary
idea of knocking Scrooge down with
it. holding him and calling to the peo-
ple in the court for help and strait
waiStcOat.
"A merry Christmas, Bob said
ScroOge, with an earnestness that
could not be mistaken, as he clapped
him on the back-"a merrier Christ
mas, Bob, my good fellow. than nave
given you for many year. I'll raise
your salary and endeavor to assist
your struggling family, ard we VIII
discuss your affairs this very after
noon over a Christmas bowl or Smok-
ing bishop, Bob!
MAKE up the fires and buy another
coal scuttle before you dot another l.,
Bob Cratchit!"
Scrooge was better than his word,
He did it all and infinitely more, and
TO Tiny Tim. who did not die, he was
a second father. He became as good
a friend, as good a master and as good
a man as the good old city knew or
any other good old city, town or Dor
ough in the good old world.
He mad no further intercourse with
spirits, but lived upon the total absti-
nence principle ever afterward, and
it was always said of him that ne
knew how to keep Christmas well, II
any man alive possessed the knoWl-
edge. May that be truly said or u.s.
and all Of us. And so, as Tiny I'm
observed. God bless us every one!
THE END.