The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1911-01-05
THE:MAN.HICHER.UP
lite c0aY 9a1Ne Amy1w
HENRY RUSSELL MILLER.

"Ah! / see-Mrs. Finn"
What do you know of Mrs.
Finn"
Il know a good deal of YOU"
the young man smiled quiZzically
again. I'VE want something gor-
geous. A ring, | should say
something in diamonds and ru-
bies. Let's see What you have"
The dapper clerk brought a
tray on which precious stones
glittered in all colors of the rain
bow. The young man examined
and rejected many. critically and
in cool disregard of the clerk s
suggestions. while Bob, half
amused, half angry with himself,
looked on. silent. At last a ring,
set with a large ruby and two fine
diamonds, was set aside.
We'll take that" the young
man decided.
For Molly Mehaffey and Pat
rick-he seemed entirely familiar
with Bob's home RELATIONSHIP
chose respectively a very pretty
pearl pendant and a silver cigar
case. This done, he laid the three
purchases in row before him
and surveyed them critically.
There" he said finally. 81
think those will help make very
satisfactory Christmas for the
lucky ones. But aren't you for
getting something?"
For Miss Finn? Not here.
I'm much obliged to you, though, -
Bob said, as he filled out a check
that ran into four figures.
20, it's been a pleasure, you
may be sure" the young man re-
piled pleasantly. 81 like to spend
money, even if it is someone
else's."
When they left the store, the
young man turned up the street
with Bob in the matter-of-fact way
of one whose company is justified
by lifelong acquaintance. Bob,
grimly amused, permitted it.
1t takes Christmas time to
make a fellow expand. There's a
lot in this goodwill to men, after
all. For instance, that fat duffer
there, with his arms full of pack
ages and grin spread all over
his person. Fifty?one weeks in
the year he never has a thought
higher than his stomach, I'll bet,
but today he's happy all through,
because he is going to give things
to others. That's what like
about Christmas. People rise
a hnNn fhnir Go 4,
change do a fine thing in a fine,
free-handed way. When you come
to think of it, it is inspiringly
dramtic."
Its nonsense. / don't believe
in giving Christmas presents. Hun
dreds of thousands of dollars are
spent this week in this city by
people who have trouble scraping
enough to make ends meet. Gen
crosby is a weakness, in so far
as it exceeds exact justice. When
1T means sacrifice from the giver,
it's arrant nonsense"
Were you weak and foolish,
when you made out that big
check"
That wasn't sacrifice. l could
afford it"
You're consistent, at any rate.
But" he nodded shrewdly, Il am
an egoist myself and / understand
your point of view. But I'm a
different sort of egoist and don't
take it for my own. You're wrong,
though. Generosity is strength, a
sublime strength that is beautiful
ly dramatic. I'll admit, it is the
dramatic view of it that appeals
to me. l always go broke myself
Christmas time. And l positively
gloat in my bankruptcy. Not be-
cause others see it as fine
thing; few people have the super
fine theatrical sense l have. But
because l see it so myself, and like
to look on at myself in a gorgeous
role. You don't understand that,
do you "
q do not"
No, of course not. You have
been too busy driving ahead,
trampling the world under your
feet, to cultivate these finer pleas
ures.'
history" Bob replied dryly.
20, yes" the young man said
Laughing. 81 have made a study
of your case. AS / said, we're
both egoists, but of different sorts.
And yours is really the grander
you seem acquainted with my
sort, | fear. You're so confound-
eddy big and powerful, you will
never be content until the world
is at your feet, kowtowing very
humbly. ALI merely to crafty
your love of your strong self. 1t
goes without saying. you will new
-er use YOUR mower for the sakn Of