Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1910-12-16

who called to other boys In country
gigs and carts driven by farmers. All
these boys were in great spirits and
shouted to- each other until the broad
fields were so full of merry music that
the crisp air laughed to hear it.
"The school is not quite deserted"
said the ghost "a solitary child, neg
lected by his friends, is left there still"
Scrooge said he knew 1t, and he
sobbed.
They left the highroad by q well re-
membered lane and soon approached
a mansion of dull red brick, with a lit
tie weathercock surmounted cupola on
the roof and bell hanging in it. 1t
was large house, but one of broken
fortunes, for the spacious Offices were
little used. their walls were damp and
mossy, their windows broken and their
gates decayed.
They went, the ghost and Scrooge,
across the hall to door at the back
of the house. 1t opened before them
and disclosed long bare, melancholy
room, made barer still by lines of plain
deal forms and desks. At one of these
a lonely boy was reading near a feeble
fire. and Scrooge sat down upon form
and wept to see his poor forgotten self
as he had used to be-
81 wish" Scrooge muttered. putting
his hand in his pocket and looking
about him, drying his eyes with his
cuff. But it's too late now"
"What Is the matter? asked the
spirit.
Nothing" said Scrooge nothing.
There was boy singing a Christmas
carol at my door last night. should
have liked to give him something
that's ALL
The ghost smiled thoughtfully and
waved its hand. saying as 1t did so.
"Let us see another Christmas"
Scrooge's former self grew larger at
the words. and the room became a lit
tie darker and more dirty. The panels
shrunk, the windows cracked. frag-
ments of plaster fell out of the cell
ing, and the naked laths were shown
instead, but how all this was brought
about Scrooge knew no more than you
do. He only knew that it was quite
correct; that every thing had happen
ed so; that there he was alone again
when all the other boys had gone home
for the jolly holidays.
He was not reading now, but walk
ing up and down despairingly. Scrooge
looked at the ghost and with a mourn
full shake of his head glanced anxious
ly toward the door.
1t opened and a little girl, much
younger than the boy. came darting
in and. putting her arms about his
neck and often kissing him, addressed
him as her dear, dear brother"
81 have come to bring you home,
dear brother" said the child, clapping
her tiny hands and bending down to
laugh-"to bring you home, home,
home!"
Home. little FAM" returned the
boy.
"Yes," said the child. brimful of
glee-"home for good and all, home
forever and ever. Father Is so much
kinder than he used to be that homes
like heaven. He spoke so gently to me
one dear night when 1 was going to
bed that l was not afraid to ask him
once more If you might come home,
and he said yes you should and sent
me in a coach to bring you. And
you're to be a man." said the child,
opening her eyes, "and are never to
come back here, but first we're to be
together all the Christmas long and
have the merriest time in all the
world"
"You are quite woman, little FanW
exclaimed the boy.
She clapped her hands and laughed
and tried to touch his head, but, being
too little. laughed again and stood on
dptoe to embrace him. Then she be-
gan to drag him. in her childish eager
ness, toward the door, and he, nothing
loath to go. accompanied her,
always a delicate creature whom
a breath might have withered," said
the ghost, "but she had large heart"
$50 she had" cried Scrooge. "You
are right. I'll not gainsay it, spirit
God forbid!'
"She died woman" said the ghost,
"and had. as l think, children"
zone child" Scrooge returned.
"True." said the ghost-"your neph-
ew."
Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind.
and answered briefly, ''Yes."
Although they had but that moment
left the school behind them, they were
now in the busy thoroughfares Of a
city. 1t was made plain enough by
| the dressing of the shops that here,
too, it was Christmas time again, but
1t was evening. and the streets were
lighted up.
The ghost stopped at certain ware
house door and asked Scrooge If he
| knew 1t.
"Know itg" said Scrooge. WAS l
apprenticed hereT
They went in. At sight of an old
gentleman in a Welsh wig sitting be-
hind such a high desk that If he had
| l.. l..