Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-11-24

1t was the dIVeEHOOu OclOEe SuAASt-
mas day, o'clock in the afternoon and
so near Christmas eve as to be appall-
ing to Joe Tooker, before whom was
the prospect Of spending Christmas
alone. Joe occupied rooms IN q tene-
ment building. and next door on the
same floor lived a widow with three
children. the oldest being very pretty
girl of nineteen. Joe had caught sew
eral glimpses Of the girl and many an
evening when in his room alone had
wished that he might go in next door
and sit with the family, but he had no
one TO introduce him. The partition
that separated him from their apart
ments was thin, and now and again
when the family were in the room ad-
joining his he could catch bits Of their
dialogue.
He judged from these that they were
people who had seen better days. Their
speech was modulated after the man
ner Of well bred people. The mother
was at times fretful, as was to be ex-
pected of one growing old and battling
with adversely at the same time. Joe
would hear some complaint from the
; mother, always to be followed by
comforting word from the daughter,
and in a very sweet voice. Then one
OF the children would be disgruntled,
to be soothed by the sister.
THAT girl is an angel" said Joe to
himself.
AS 1 was saying, 1t was about on
hour before Christmas eve when Joe
entered his lonely room and sat down
70
out to get his dinner at a restaurant.
His folks lived too far away for him
to go to them for Christmas or for them
to come to him. He knew few people
IN the place and none so intimately as
to secure an invitation for even
Christmas dinner. The consequence
was that he dreaded Christmas eve and
Christmas day and Christmas night.
BE wished he could go to sleep and re-
main asleep until the morning after
Christmas. While he was thinking OF
his lonely lot he heard a voice on the
other side OF the partition, the voice of
a complaining child.
why can't we have a turkey tomor-
row, mammal
Turkeys are very expensive this
season, dearie. We can't afford one.
We're going to have a nice hamburger
steak instead. You know how fond
you are Of that"
81 don't want hamburger steak on
Christmas. / want turkey. We're not
going to have any Christmas at all this
year. Jennie says we mustn't expect
any toys, even in our stockings, for
Santa Claus has sent a note that he is
going to pass US over. I'm going to
hang up my stocking anyway. and If
he doesn't put anything in it I'll write
him a letter telling him how mean l
think be is
$50 will IT, came another little voice
Then the speakers went into another
room
An idea popped into Joe lockers
head It was the biggest, most origi-
nal, most daring idea that the modest
fellow had ever conceived He sat,
stunned by IT, for some time, revolving
in his mind various features concern
ing it; then, suddenly getting up from
his chair, he hustled on his Overcoat
and hat. rushed out, slammed the door
behind him and ran downstairs two
steps at time
The first place Joe stopped at was
key and celery and cranberries and
oysters for the dressing and other
things good 10 eat. Then he went to
a toy shop and gathered in such trifles
as children prize. He dare not trust
to having them sent home, the hour
being late, and took everything he
bought with him. But he was big and
strong and could have carried three
times as much. Lastly. he looked in a
directory for the address OF a costumer
and finally found one. Going TO the
place. he told the proprietor to fit him
out at once as Santa Claus.
Returning to his room, he deposited
his purchases and went out again TO
get bis dinner. About o'clock he
went back. taking more toys and two
bouquets Of flowers with him and
spent the evening arranging for put
ting this wonderful idea OF his into
practice. He had heard Mt various
times enough through the partition TO
know the names Of those on the other
side. so he marked the toys, some
BILLY" and some Lucy" On one OF
: the bouquets he tied a card on which
he wrote, ITO Mamma From Santa
Claus" and on the other, ITO Jennie
, From Santa Claus"
That wasn't a lonely Christmas eve
for Joe Tooker at all. though he was
alone. He was firing up the gifts and
!, trying on his Santa Claus suit all the
while. But It must be admitted that
every now and again he caught HIS
breath at what he considered the dar-
, ing deed he gas about 10 perform.
Then he would brace up ana say, Non
sense! Bosh! Pooh. Pooh! I'm not
afraid and IN another half hour
would have 10 brace up oil over again.
That night Joe didn't sleep more
than four hourn at most He awoke
!ong before daylight and waited till
he heard q tiny voice sey in a disBp-
phnted tone, "Oh. mamma, Santa
hasn't been here at all" Then he got
I up, put on his hired suit and gave