The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-21
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Poor were allowed full swing. And to- morrow is your wedding day, pet" said Trotty Today said Richard. Don't you hear the chimes? They are ringing in the New Year--hear them?" And they were ringing. bless their sturdy hearts, they were ringing.
 Here the child Lillian, who had been awakened by the noise, came running iR half dressed. Why, here she is," cried Trotty, catching her up in his arms. here we are, and here we go,' swinging her. Then Will Fern, hearing the racket, came in and Trotty said: "Oh, Uncle Will, the visions I have had this night through lodging you! oh, Uncle wili the obliga- tions you have laid me under by becoming my guest" Trotty called Fern Uncle Will'' because Lillian did, and the obliga- tions were that Trotty had got in hin nightmare a clear sight of the awful things which might happen to the poor and which seemed not likely to happen at least that would seem to have been his idea, though in psychological and socse- logical stories like The Chimes certain points will bear a vast deal of interpretA- tion.
 Before Will Fern could make a reply band of music burst into the room. The neighbors, with music, were abroad visiting their friends to celebrate the dawn of the New Year. The man who played the drum and who was person. al fried of Trotty stepped forward and said: "Trotty Week., 1t has got abroad that your daughter Is to be married to- day. There ain't a soul who knows you don't wish you well or that knows her and don't wish her well. Or that knows you both and don't wish you both we'll. the happiness the New Year can bring. And here we are to play 1t in and dance it in." This speech was received with a shout. The gentleman who played the drum had been taking drop maybe but never mind that. What happiness it is," said Trotty, "to be so esteemed How kind and neighborly you all arel It's all along of my dear daughter and she deserves it."
 l They were ready for a dance in half l minute-Richard and Meg at the top. | The man who played the drum was about to begin leathering away with all | his power when a combination of prodigious sounds outside was heard and a good-humored, comedy woman of I some 50 years of age or whereabouts came running in attended by man bearing a stone pitcher of terrific size. Its Mrs. Chickenstalker," cried Toby. and he was right. Married and never tell me- Meg? shouted the good wom- an. T would not rest after I heard of it until l came to wish you joy. So here I am and, as it's New Years, I had a little flip made and brought 1t with me-" Mrs. Chickenstalker's idea Of | a little flip did honor to her character. The pitcher steamed and smoked and reeked like volcano. And the man who carried it was faint Mrs. Chick enstalker," said Trotty. this is Will and then very red shrdlupupupupupupJ liam Fern and Lillian" The worthy dame, to Trotty's surprise, turned very pale and then very red. Not Lillian Fern whose mother died in Dorset shire?" said she. Will Fern answered 'Yes,' and going hastily close up to her the two exchanged some hurried words in an undertone.
 The upshot of 1t was that Mrs. Chick enstalker took Will Fern by both hands, saluted Trotty on his cheek of her own free will and took the child to her ca- pacious breast. twill Fern" cried Trot- ty, lis this the friend you were seek ing?' Aye" returned William. ''and likely to prove almost as good friend if that can be found, as the one found
 when seeking her." Oh said Trotty,
 please play up there. Will you have the goodness?
 The music began operations at once in- doors and the chimes were in operation all the while out of doors, so there was noise enough. Trotty, making Meg and Richard second couple, took Mrs. Chick enstalked to the top and led off with her. dancing with step unknown before or since and founded on his own pecu- liar trot. Little Lillian was not to be left out of the dance altogether and,
 taking the plump hand of Mrs. Chick enstalker went through the mazes of that
 most extraordinary dance So they laughed and they talked and they danced; and they drank and they had something
 to eat along toward daybreak-a real
 hearty meal, the source of which Mrs,
 Chickenstalker could tell of. And 60 the
 New Year dawned upon them, merry and
 full of life and hope.
 | Now, MT Dickens does not say so, but
 my private opinion is that after Meg's marriage Trotty felt very lonely and Mrs. Crickenstalker married him out of hand
 and took him to help her tend her lit-
 tie shop fin the general line" That Rioh-
 ard was taken into partnership by his employer and prospered exceedingly; that Lillian, who was very beautiful, married
 a rich husband, and that Uncle Will se- cured a good job and was we'll taken care
 of in his old age. I am sure that MT.
 Joseph Bowley lost his seat in Parlia- ment and lost his money through bank or luck. Alderman Cute died in very re- duced circumstances. and Filler ended his days as bookkeeper at a meagre ssl- | ary.
 Next weeks one-page classic will be | Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin.
 Strictly Family Affairs