Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-12-16
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Great Gifts
A Christmas Story
BY CLARlSSA MACKlE
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation. 1911.
A Christmas Story
BY CLARlSSA MACKIE
by American Press Assoc
citation. 1911.

= On Christmas eve the snow fell heav
lily and tilled the village streets with
level measure of wilderness. The
lights of the stores cleaned through
windows crowded with Christmas
wares and shot pale diffused rays
across the sidewalks.
In Darrel's grocery store group Of
men were gathered around a glowing
coal stove.
IL hear that Walter Hoops has come
back" remarked Len Darrell.
~ wanter known The same express
sion of surprised incredulity ran around
the circle.
"Yep-came home tonight on the mail
train. Fender said he passed him walk
ing down from the station"
Gle must have come back broke, then,
couldn't afford TO ride down on the
stage on a night like this" remarked
Henry Slade contemptuously.
Fender said he didn't even have an
overcoat on" added Darrell, giving
forth his information in delightful NOR.
sells.
"Shucks" exploded William Otis,
who was third cousin removed of
Walter Hoops and consequently morti-
fled at these outspoken remarks. 81
washed my hands Of Walter long ago"
he explained to his companions.
IAN of us did" agreed Henry Slade.
"When a mans fool enough to lose ev-
cry inch of ground that he's inherited.
he can't expect thrifty folks to hold
him up when it's all spent and he amt
got nothing"
THAT'S right. Henry. Walter didn't
oughtcr let himself be bamboozled out
of his property by them spectators.
He couldn't prove nothing against 'em.
They was mighty clever"
well. he couldn't get his place back
again II he wanted TO. Laidlaw was
telling me that 1t was sold to n rich
New York party for summer home"
II wonder IL Walter will show up
in here" said William Otis uneaslly
Il dunno. hut I might rs we'll Nc NOV
Allf ftIVHE HNAs AlItNu VIII UC
buying them presents"
Enough 10 do without taking on
poor relation for Christmas" remarked
Henry Slade significantly as Otis bang
cd the door after his departure.
The group laughed heartily. and then
little silence fell among them. In
days gone by-more prosperous days
for Walter lioops-in his big hearted.
generous way he had helped all OF
them. indorsed notes. loaned money
Many of the notes had been unpaid.
and Walter had paid the money from
his own pocket and said nothing: 9th.
crs he had helped In various ways.
Not one man in the group gathered
in barrels store but had received
some favor at Walter Hoops generous
hand.
Now they were uneasy. What II
Walter should come into the store and.
presuming upon old acquaintance. try
to borrow money from them or expect
TO be entertained over Christmas or
for an indefinite time? A down at
heels friend could only be an inter.
loper ut this season. II would be the
worst thing in the world to encourage
Walter Hoops In the belief that he
could squapder his own heritage and
then expect TO return TO Compton and
live upon the savings OF his more
frugal acquaIntances.
"Tm afraid Walter has been bad
lot" murmured Henry Slade in self
justification Of his thoughts.
Hes made folks lot OF trouble
added Len Darrell. frowning
Just look nj Emily Wayland-sec
how he treated her She had her wed.
ding clothes all made. and he broke II
or and went away. She amt never
forgot II nuther." Dan Willis spoke
rcsentfully.
THAT all happened eight years ago,
| guess Emily's got too much spunk
to worry about Teller that's treated
her that way" remarked the black
smith.
at would bc just like him TO go 70
her and expect Henry Slade was
saying when utter CONSERVATION fell
upon them. and they were dumb.
From the other side OF the double
store. which had separate entrance,
appeared Emily Wayland. with n small
basket on her arm. She was very
straight and slim. aud her black hair
was mixed with gray. but she was
still beautiful. Any woman with her
glorious dark eyes and her rich color
ing OF cheek and lip could never be
plain.
She must have overheard their re.
marks. for they had all spoken loudly
without reserve. forgetting the thin
partition that acted as sounding
board. Her head was held very high.
and she glanced neither TO the right nor
left as she passed down rhe store and
out OF the door. That was unusual.
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