The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-01
"A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
WORLDS GREATEST YULETIDE STORY RUNNING IN THE
PRESs-IDEAL HOLIDAY READING
BY Charles Dickens

"I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's S, Z"
whispered Scrooge, rubbing his
hands and splitting with laugh.
He shan't know who sends it. It's
twice the size of Tiny Jim. Joe
Miller never made such a joke as
sending it to Bob's will be-"
The hand in which he wrote the
address was not steady one; but
write it he did, somehow, and went
downstairs to open the street door,
ready for the coming of the poul-
terer man. AS he stood there, wait
ing his arrival, the knocker caught
his eye
Il shall love it as long as live!'
cried Scrooge, patting it with his
hand. 81 scarcely ever looked at it
before. What an honest expression
it has in its face! It's a wonderful
knocker! Here's the Turkey. Halo!
Whoop! How are you? Merry
Christmas!"
1t was turkey. He never could
have stood upon his legs, that bird.
He would have snapped 'em short
off in a minute, like sticks of seal
ing wax.
why, it's impossible to carry
that to Camden Town. said
Scrooge. You must have a cab"
The chuckle with which he said
this, and the Chuckle with which he
paid for the Turkey, and the
chuckle with which he paid for the
onh and tho nb,Iol.Ja with which he
recompensed the boy, were only to
be exceeded by the chuckle with
which he sat down breathless in his
chair again, and chuckled till he
cried.
Shaving was not an easy task
for his hand continued to shake
very much; and shaving requires
attention, even when you don't
. dance while you are at. it. But il
he had cut the end of his nose off
he would have put piece of stick
ing plaster over it and been quite
satisfied
He dressed himself "all in his
best" and at last got out into the
. streets. The people were by this
time pouring forth, as he had seen
them with the Ghost of Christmas
Present; and walking with his
hands behind him, ScroOge regard
ed every one with a delighted smile
He looked so irresistible pleasant
in word. that three or four good
humored fellows said Good morn
ing, sir, A merry Christmas to
you!' And Scrooge said often aft
erward that of all the blithe sounds
he had ever heard. those were the
blithest in his ears.
He had not gone far, when com.
ing on toward him he beheld the
portly gentleman. who had walked
into his counting-house the day be.
fore and said, "Scrooee and Mar
ley's, | believer" 1t sent a pane
across his heart to think how this
old gentleman would look upon him
when they met: but he knew what
! path lay straight before him. and
: he took II.
4 "My dear sir" said Scrooge
'uuickening his pace. and taking the
= old gentleman by both hands. GLOW
4. do you do? hope you succeeded
yesterday. II was very kind of you
A merry Christmas to you, sir,"
"Mr. Scrooge?'
49,. yes said Scrooge. THAT is
a my name, and fear it may not be
pleasant to you. Allow me to ask
your pardon. And will you have
the goodness" Here Scrooge whis
pered in his ear
..~,.Lord bless mel" cried the gen.
tlemau. as if his breath were taken
away "My dear Mr.. Scrooge, are
you serious"
'If yon please" said Scrooge
mot farthing less. A great many
back payments are included in it.
assure you. VIII you do me that
favor?"
"My dear sir" said the other
shaking hands with him 81 don't
know what to say to such a NUM-
fl"
Don't say anything. please" re-
torted Scrooge. Come and see me
viii YOU come and see me?"
Il will" cried the old gentleman
And 1t was clear he meant to do it
"Thank'ee." said Scrooge. ~ am
much obliged to you. I thank you
fifty times. Bless yOu."
He went to church and walked
about the streets, and watched the