Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1911-12-07
rests and magic red fluids in cleaning
glassware would be open to him.
He followed James to the door.


him to pass into the vestibule.
Beyond the wrought iron gates in
the dark highway Black Riley and his
two pals casually strofled. lingering
under their coats the inevitably fatal
weapons that were to make the re-
ward Of the rag dUl theirs.
Fuzzy stopped ut the millionaire's
door and bethought himself Like Ut.
tie sprigs Of mistletoe Oh dead tree.
certain living green thoughts and mem
cries began to decorate his confused
mind, lie was quite drunk. mind you.
and tile present was beginning to fade
Those wreaths and festoons Of holly
with their scarlet berries making the
great hall gays- where had he seen such
things before? Somewhere he had
known polished 6oors and odors Of
fresh flowers In winter. and-und some
one was singing song in the house
that he thought he had heard before,
some one singing and playing a harp
OF course it was Christmas. Fuzzy
thought be must have been pretty
drunk to have overlooked that.
And then he went out Of the pres
ent. and there came back to him out
Of some impossible. vanished and ir-
revocable past little. pure white.
transient. forgotten ghost. the spirit Of
noblesse obllge. Upon gentleman
certain things devolve.
James opened the outer door. A
stream of light went down the gray
eled walk to the iron gate. Black Ri
ley. Mccarthy and "One Ear" Mike
saw and carelessy drew their sinister
gordon closer about the gate
With more imperious gesture than
James master had ever used or could
ever use Fuzzy compelled the menial
TO close the door, Upon a gentleman
certain things devTive, especially ut
the Christmas season.
ut is cust-custormary." he said to
James. the fustered, when a gentle
man calls Oh Christmas eve to pass the
compliments of the season with the
lady of the house. You und'stand? |
shall not move shtep till pass COM
pl'ments season with lady the house.
Und'stand?"
There was an argument. James lost
Fuzzy raised his voice and sent 1t
through the house unpleasantly. | did
not say he was Il gentleman. He was
simply II tramp being visited by II
ghost.
A sterling silver bell rang James
went back to answer it, leaving Fuzzy
in the ball James explained some
where to some one.
Then he came and conducted Fuzzy
into the library
The lady entered moment later
She was more beautiful and holy than
any picture that Fuzzy had seen. She
smiled and said something about a
doll Fuzzy didn't understand that
He remembered nothing about doll.
A footman brought in two small
Aglasses of sparkling wine on stamp
ed sterling silver waiter. The lady
p took one. The other was handed to
Fuzzy
AS his fingers closed on the slender
SIuSS StCu hiS uiopPSu AAoh
him for one brief moment. He straight
ened himself. and Time. so disobliging
to most Of us, turned backward to ac-
commodate Fuzzy.
Forgotten Christmas ghosts whittier
than the false boards Of the most opu
lent Kriss Kringle were rising in the
fumes Of Grogan's whisky. What had
the millionaire's mansion to do with
long, wainscoted Virginia hall where
the riders were grouped around sill.
sver punch bowl drinking the ancient
toast of the house? And why should
the patter Of the cab horses boots on
the frozen street be in any wise re.
lated to the sound of the saddled hunt.
ers stamping under the shelter OF the
west veranda? And what had Fuzzy
to do with any Of 1t?
The lady. looking at him over her
glass. let her condescending smile
fade away like false dawn. Her
eyes turned serious. She saw some
thing beneath the rags and Scotch ter
rier whiskers that she did not under.
stand. But 1t did not matter.
Fuzzy lifted his glass and smiled
vacantly.
"P,pardon. lady," he said. but
couldn't leave without exchangin'
compliments sheason with lady th'
house. 'Gainst principles gentleman
do sho."
And then he began the ancient salu.
tation that was a tradition in the
house when men wore lace ruffies and
powder.
1.-THE blessings Of another year.
Fuzzy's memory failed him. The
lady prompted:
-"be upon this hearth"
1.-THE guest stammered Fuzzy. -
"And upon her who"- continued the
lady, with a leading smile.
"Oh, cut 1t out" said Fuzzy. illman-
neredly. II can't remember. Drink
hearty"
Fuzzy had shot his arrow. They
drank. The lady smiled again the
smile of her caste. James enveloped
Fuzzy and reconducted him toward
the front door. The harp music still
softly drifted through the house.
Outside. Black Riley breathed on his
cold hands and hugged the gate.
II wonder" said the lady to herself
musing. "who-but there were SO
many who came. wonder whether
memory is d curse or blessing to
them after they have fallen SO low"
Fuzzy and his escort were nearly at
the door. The lady called. James"
James stalked back obsequiously.
leaving, Fuzzy waiting unsteadily.
with his brief spark Of the divine fire
gone.
Outside, Black Riley stamped his
cold feet and got a firmer grip on his
-