Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1911-01-26

Gus, RlOft0uS. <<*z223# b
Running to the &6EH
window. he open n
ed 1t and put out "A MERRY CHRISTMAS
his head-no, fog, TO EvERYBopYT'
no mist: clear. bright, jovial, stirring
cold-cold, piping for the blood tc
dance to; golden sunlight heavenly
sky; sweet, fresh air: merry bells. Oh
glorious. gioriousl
What's todayY' cried Scroo9e. call
ing downward to q boy In Sunday
clothes who perhaps had loltered In to
look about him.
"EhT returned the boy. with all his
might OF wonder.
Whats today. my fine fellowr" said
scrooge.
Today" replied the boy. why
Christmas day"
do you know the poulterer's In the
next street but one. at the cornerr'
scrooge inquired.
Il should hope did," replied the Lad.
AN intelligent boy" said Scrooge,
remarkable boy. Do you know
whether they've sold the prize turkey
that was hanging up theref Not the
little prize turkey-the big oner'
"What-the one as big as meY' re-
turned the boy.
What a delightful boyr' said
scrooge. "It's a pleasure to talk to
him. Yes. my buckw
IT'S hanging there now," replied the
boy.
"Is itT' said scrooge. go and buy
t."
"Waik-er!" exclaimed the boy.
mo. no." said Scrooge: "I am In
earnest. Go and buy Il and tell 'em to
bring IL here that ! may give them the
direction where TO take Il. Come back
with the man and pu give you q shil-
ling! Come back with him I'm less than
i've minutes and IN sire you half q
crownr
rhs-boy wss On isrs 4 ssot.
"rll send Il to Bob Cratchit's." whis-
pered Scrooge. rubbing bis 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 q steady one. but write
II be 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.
Il shall love II as long as I livei"
cried Scrooge. patting II with bis hand
II scarcely ever looked at It before.
What an honest expression It has In its
face! It's wonderful knocker! Here's
the turkey. Hellol whoopl How are
your Merry ChristmasP'
It was turkey. He never could have
stood upon bis legs. that bird. Hs
would have snapped 'em short on In q
minute. like sticks Of sealing wax.
why, It's impossible to carry that
to Camden Town." said Scrooge. "You
must have a cab"
The chuckle with which he said this.
and the chuckle with which he paid
for the turkey, and the chuckle with
which he paid for the cab, and the
chuckle with which he recompensed
the boy. were only to be exceeded by
the chuckle with which he sat down
breathless In his chair again and
chuckled till he cried
he dressed himself ''all In his best"
and at last got out into the streets
he bad not gone far when coming
on toward him he beheid the portly
ganfiaman who ha1 ,.-att,aI a.. Al.
counting house the day before and
said. 'scrooge & Mariey's. ! believe. -
II sent a pang across his heart to
think how this old gentleman would
look upon him when they met, but he
knew what path lay straight before
him, and he took It.
MY dear SIR" said Scrooge. quick
ening his pace and taking the old gen
tieman by both bis hands. 'how do
you dor l hope you succeeded yester-
day. II was very kind Of you. A
merry Christmas to you, sirP'
"Mr. Scrooger'
Yes" said Scrooge; that In nv
name, and l fear It may not be pleas
ant TO you. Allow me 70 ask your
pardon And will you have the good
ness Here Scrooge whispered 10 his
ear.
Lord bless mer' cried the gentleman
IN IL bis breath were gone. my dear
Mr.. Scrooge, are you seriousT'
'If you please" said scrooee-"not
farthing less. A great many back
payments are included In II, ! assure
you- WIN you do me that favorT
my dear sir" said the other. shay
ing hands with him. II don't know
what 10 say 20 such munIf"-
'Don't say anything. please" retort-
Cd Scrooge. Come and see me. VIII
you come and see meT'
II willT cried the old gentleman.
and it was clear be meant 20 do fl.
"Thank'ee." said Scrooge - am
much obliged to you thank you City
times. Bless your'
He went to church. and walked about
the streets, and watched the people
hurrying 20 and fro. and patted chil.
cren on the head. and questioned beg