Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-12-27

{
ever use Fuzzy compelled the meni Z
to close the door. Upon O gentlsns
certain things devolve, specially q s
the Christmas season. IS '.:ass
1T ts cust-custormary.~~ 10 said tQs:
James, the clustered, when 4entle
man calls on Christmas eve 20 pass Tn
compliments Of the season With IT,
lady Of the house. You und'stand %
shall not move shtep TIL pass com
ppments season with lady the house.
Und'stand?' s
There was IN argument James lost. !
Fuzzy raised his voice and sent &
through the house unpleasantly. / did,
not say he was gentleman. He vas
simply a tramp being visited By e
ghost. =. -
A sterling silver bell rang. Jann1eI
went back to answer it, leaving Fuzzy
In the hall. James explained some
where to some one. 5S Nh
Then he came and conducted Fu1xy
into the library. 5 ss@a8
The lady entered moment later.
She was more beautiful and holy than
any picture that Fuzzy had seen. She
smiled and said something about q
doll. Fuzzy didn't understand that.
He remembered nothing about doll. IS
f A fo0tman brought in two small
glasses of sparkling wine on a stamp
ed sterling silver waiter. The lady
took one The other was handed to-.
Fuzzy.
As his fingers closed on the slender.
glass stem his disabilities dropped from
him for one brief moment he straight
ened himself. and Time. so disobligingZ
to most of us, turned backward to 5ac-
conmodate Fuzzy.
Forgotten Christmas ghosts whittier
than the false boards Of the most opu-s
lent kriss Krfngle were rising in the.
fumes Of Grogan's whisky. What had
the m1llionaire's mansion to do with u.
long, wainscoted Virginia hall where
the riders were grouped around Sill
yer 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 res
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 it? ,ss
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 it did not matter.
Fuzzy lifted his glass and smiled
vacantly. zz.5=.s
"P-pardon. lady, he. said. but
couldn't leave without exchangin'
compliments sheason with lady tn
house. 'Gainst principles gentleman.
do sho." - GO
And then he began the ancient salu.
tat1on that was a tradition in the
house when men wore lace ruffles 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 leading smile.
"Oh, cut it out" said Fuzzy, tllman-#
neredly. Il can't remember. Drink.
hearty" -
Fuzzy had shot bis 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. 5
Outside. Black Riley breathed on his
cold hands and Rugged the gate.
II wonder" said the lady to herself.
musing. "who-but there were so
many who came, ! wonder whether
memory is a curse or blessing to
them after they have fallen so low
Fuzzy and his escort were nearly at
the door. The lady called. flames. ~
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 frmer grip on his
section of gaspipe.
You will conduct this gentleman
said the lady. downstairs. Then tell
Louis to get out the Mercedes and take
him to whatever place be wishes 10.
Co." =z .5