The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1911-01-05

ed it and put out "a MERRY CHRISTMAS
his head-no, fog, TO EVERYBODY
no mist; clear. bright, jovial, stirring,
cold-cold, piping for the blood to
dance to; golden sunlight, heavenly
sky; sweet, fresh air; merry bells. Oh.
glorious, glorious!
whats today?' cried Scrooge. call
ing downward to boy in Sunday
clothes who perhaps had loitered In to
look about him.
"EhY returned the boy, with all his
might of wonder.
whats today. my fine fellowT' said
Scrooge.
To-day" replied the boy. Why
Christmas day."
do you know the poulterer's in the
next street but one. at the cornerT
Scrooge inquired.
Il should hope did," replied the lad
IAN intelligent boy" said Scrooge
"a remarkable boy. Do you know
whether they've sold the prize turkey
that was hanging up there? Not the
little prize turkey-the big one!'
"What-the one as big as meY" re-
turned the boy.
What delightful boy!" said
Scrooge. Its a pleasure to talk to
him. Yes. my buck"
ITS hanging there now" replied the
boy.
us it?' said Scrooge go and buy
it."
"Walk-er" exclaimed the boy.
mo, no." said Scrooge; Il am in
earnest. Go and buy 1t and tell 'em to
bring it here that 1 may give them the
direction where to take 1t. Come back
with the man and I'll give you a shil-
ling! Come back with him in less than
five minutes and I'll give you half q
crownY'
The boy was off like a shot.
''Tll send 1t to Bob Cratchit's," whis-
pered Scrooge. rubbing his hands and
splitting with a laugh. He shan't
know who sends it. It's twice the size
Of Tiny Tim"
The hand in which he wrote the ad.
| dress was not steady one, but write
| 1t he did somehow and went down
stairs to open the street door. ready
/ for the coming of the poulterer's man
AS he stood there waiting his arrival
the knocker caught his eye.
II shall love 1t as long as 1 liver
cried Scrooge, patting it with his hand
81 scarcely ever looked at 1t before
What an honest expression 1t has in its
face! It's a wonderful knocker! Here's
the turkey. Hello! Whoop. How art
you? Merry Christmas"
1t was turkey. He never could have
stood upon his legs. that bird. III
would have snapped 'em short off In {
minute. like sticks Of sealing wax.
why, It's impossible to carry tina
to Camden Town." said Scrooge ''Yo,
must have a cab"
| The chuckle with which he said this
and the chuckle with which he pait
for the turkey. and the chuckle wit
which he paid for the cab. and tn
chuckle with which he recompense,
the boy, were only to be exceeded b.
the chuckle with which he sat dow
GREATNESS in his chair again an
chuckled till he cried.
He dressed himself "all in his best
and at last got out into the streets
He had not gone far when comm
on toward him he beheld the port
gentleman who had walked into !
counting house the dar lstc:e AZ
said "Scrooge & Marley's. believe.
1t sent q parg r~-0~s his heart t
think how this u!d 'u'leman woul
look upon him wEau they met, but b
knew what path lay straight befor
him and he took 1t.
"My dear sir" said Scrooge. Quici
ening his pace and taking the old GEL
tleman by both his hands. how d
you do? 1 hope you succeeded yeste
: day. 1t was very kind Of you.
merry Christmas to you, sirT'
"Mr. ScroogeT'
t YES" said Scrooge; that is m
name. and fear 1t may not be plea