The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-12-15

fields ON either hand. The city had
entirely vanished. Not veStige Of il
waS TO DE seen. The darkness and the
mist had vanished with it. for it was q
clear. cold winter day with snow upoI
tn. ground
"tiont heaven" said ScrnJcc. clasp
ing his hands together as he looked
abou, linn. Il was bred in this place
was q boy here"
'You recollect the way:" inquired
the spirit.
Remember it," cried Scrooge with
fervor. Il could walk it blindfold."
Strange to have forgotten 1t for Sc
many years." observed the ghost. Let
us 60 ca"
They walked along the road. Scrooge
recognizing every gate and post and
tree until q little market town appear
cd in the distance. with its bridge. Its
church and winding river. Some shag'
~ ponies now were seen trottinG to
ward them with boys upon their backs
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 1t.
The school is not quite deserted.
said the ghost. "A solitary child. neg
lected by his friends. is left there still"
S.rooge said he knew 1t. and he
sobbcd.
They left the highroad by well re-
menbcred lane and soon approached
a mansion of dull red brick. with lit
tie weathercock surmounted cupola on
the roof and bell hanging in it. II
was a large house. but one Of broken
fortunes. for the spacious offices were
little used. their walls were damp and
messy. their windows broken and their
gates decayed.
They went. the ghost and Scrooge.
across the hall to q door NJ the back
of the house. 1t opened before them
and disclosed a long. bare. melancholy
room. made barer still 10y lines Of plain
deal forms and desks. NJ one of these
q lonely boy was reading near feeble
fire. aud Scrooge sat down upon form
and wept to see his poor forgotten self
as he had used TO be.
"! wish" Scroege muttcred. 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 hoy singing Christmas
carol ~ my door last night should
have liked to give him something
that's all"
The ghost smiled thouGhtfully and
waved its hand. saying rs il did so.
"I.ci u< sec another Christmas"
SCr0occ'S former self grew larger Al
the words. and the room became lit
tie darker and more dirty. The panels
SHRINK. the windows cracked. frag-
mentS of plaster fell out Of the cell,
Ing. ard the naked lathS were shown
ins'r raG. bur how all this was brought
about Scrooce knew no more than YOU
do H. only knew that il was quite
correct; that every thing had happen,
ed 80: that there he was alone again
when a,l the other boys had gone home
for tile Jolly holidays.
He was not reading now. but walk
- 49,, .,,,1 d>v., ,1oSp, iripply ScrOO0a
looked n the ghost and with a mourn
full shake Of his head glanced anxious
" toward the door.
II opened. and little girl. much
youngrr than the boy. came darting
in and. putting her arms about his
neck and often kissing him. addressed
him a. her dear. dear brother
II have come to bring you home.
dear brother" said the child. clappinG
her tiny hands and bending down to
laush-"to bring you home. home,
home"
Home. little FAM returned the
boy.
Yes" said the child. brimful of
clcc-'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 / was going TO
bed that | was not afraid to ask him
once more If you might come home
and he said yes you should and sent
NE tn coach to bring you. And
You're to he man." said the child
openirg her eyes. land are never to
come back here. but first were 10 be-
together all the Christmas long and
have the merriest time in all the
world
You are quite o woman. little Fan:
exclaimed the boy.
She clapped her hands and laughed
and tried "a touch his head. but. being
too little. laughed again and stood on
tiptne - embrace him. Then she be
cau To drag him. in her childish eager
,.cS toward fl,p door and he, nothing