Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-18

The scribe who undertakes to report s9ss+Ss
bits of Christmas drama, moreover.
labors under still further disadvantages. ~ .
The present narrative, for instance is "a - s j
based on an episode that occurred on Il
Christmas Eve, 1909. Obviouslyt won't A6:
see the printshops and the newsstands Il
until late in 1910. 1t is grave matter
be eleven months behind the
procession in these days While am -
prating of the inconsequential past from
the circumscribed viewpoint of July. h
others can ramfy their tales with terms 3kxsssSS
to be conjured with, and write engag-
ingy in the light of the achieve =
nents of Paulhan and Curtiss, Johnson
and Jefries, Edison and Edeson and of those whose
spark of genius the passing months will ignite who
yet to bound into fame. Enough!
When there Christmas story without
stranger within the gates, without hard-coa fire
flame lowering the dish of snapdragon. and pew
ter mug of musty mellow ale? A quaint old eating
house is good place as any to lay the Sup
pose say Greets English Chop House. situated on
of the crosstown streets in that picturesque region
of New York which draws into rapid conveyance poly
glot Broadway and Fifth-ave.
Enter Langtree. He walked with the complacent
- air of gentleman and an A. B., and followed the
Broadway restaurants, with the obedience of IRE
proachable breeding to table. Langtree was hand
He had the nose of Napoleon, the chin of Byron,
Talleyrand's mouth something about him adver-
tsed the fact vaguely that he had toied hard lived
hard, and tasted at last the wine of Some
out under the ncessant pounding of rebuff.
evidently, and professor of physiognomy would have
asserted at that his two and thirty had been
replete with experience. adversely, life.
The cut of his clothes suggested London their quality
bespoke purse and scrip their for show
Langtree of that guild of termed venturers,
seeking after the strange the esOterc restless because
of the monotony of life DESTROYS of encounterng adven
to which they predict conclusions-and all
because they weary of the certain eager test the
undeterminable, and searching. certain
has put it, for subject without predicate, road
without an end, question without answer,
without effect gulf stream in life's salt ocean,
Such men it is who ring strange doorbels to what
will befall them answer queer advertisements, essay
conversation with strangers There, reader, have let
you guess it! Yes. there is going to be stranger
night, one Gregg.
Hardly had Langtree taken his place at the table,
than the mercurial head waiter captured at
the door, and in tandem formation, they invaded Lang
trees territory. Gregg followed the high priest of the
food palace with the stride of accustomed snow
shoes. He looked like dangerous bait for Manhattan
panhander the SLOUGH hat of much acreage of the
Westerner and carried the important air of delegate
uninstructed. In build he giant; he had filled
the doorway when he entered He looked little over
thirty On his third finger left massive band of
gold. gripping furious diamond. On his bosom blazed
another best investment.
Langtree surveyed him with the captured eye of a
connosseur of men. Il beg your pardon SIR spoke
Langtree without delay, but that is magnificent
stone in your ring. 1t takes all the way back to
Kimberley. Who knows but may have had hand in
mining it? Odder meetings have occurred over spans
of years and miles. Your health Monsieur" he added
raising his mug to drink ut is wonderful stone
Gregg gave the speaker a searching glance Appar-
emily the scrutiny satisfied him. You bet!' he said
THAT rocks crackeriack."
1T is indeed replied Langtree. Then he con-
tinued, somewhat abruptly. though certain rapid
conclusion, ut is Christmas Eve the one night in all
the year when yearnS most of all for the companion
ship OF friends tor those who care, who understand.