Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-12-23
Day. Large family preferred.
A339, Courier Ofiice."

hadn't too big q circulation" said
Harry calmly. 81 was afraid Of be-
Ing inundated. AS 1t Is, I've had
good deal of correspondence, though
not altogether on lines expected. AS
a matter of fact, that Is the only in
vitation-the only proof Of the ex-
istence Of the Christmas spirit, pure
and simple, that l felt would satisfy
you In the circumstances"
You mean that this-this invita-
ton is in reply to this advel tise.
ment Of yours?"
"Quite so. AS / said, / have ac-
cepted it-using your name, without
any address. Wait moment, old
man. l have also got to tell you that
l have received the sum Of eighty
five dollars and seventy-five cents in
contributions varying from a dine to
five dollars"
ooh, say
"Some Of The contributions were
accompanied by exceedingly kind
notes, others by excellent advice. /
have written 4,tters Of thanks 10 all
who supplied thc!i names and adj
dresses, and, after serious considera-
ton, have handed the cash to a
friend Of mine who knows plenty Of
gentlemen in unfortunate circum-
stances. You're not annoyed with
what have done-are you, Gilbcrt?"
ooh, | daresay you meant it well,'
Gilbert answered, somewhat ungra-
cinusly. "And, Of course, | practi-
cally challenged you to get me Il GER
tain kind Of invitation. Still, may
ask what you meant by Large family
prcferred?'"
Harry was looking decidedly crest
fallen. "People with large families
have big tables" he replied, lamcly,
and frequently big hearts. But my
real reason was that | might have
moment and proceeded in guilty
fashion: 81 left a bag in your hall
just now, which | wish you would
take with you on Christmas Day.
your departure. Merely some toys
and things for he-er--family.
Gilbert got up and held out his
hand. you are worth a dozen Of
me, Harry" he said.
"Oh, rot!" said Harry uncomfort-
ably.
'By the way" he went on pres
emily, 81 went to the address yester-
| day afternoon, and spied around
from the outside, mean. House of
two rooms and kitchen in dull side
street. Windows cl o, ta....ns
fresh. Small girl at o.. H.. a.a. ao
Of baby; two smaller f... .aa ,}.~..
boys--far from immac r'at. .1. .U
| bit tidier than the nei s"yN. ne .....
| dren. Got a glimpse of the mother;
tired but gooi-tempered looking.
Gathered from female in stationer's
shop that John Wedd is foreman in
small engineering shop in the neigh
borhood; so you and he may find
something to talk about. But"
Harry sighed-"I wish | knew what
you were going to get for dinner!"
Gilbert looked at the letter in his
hand. "Do you really think that mat
ters?" he said, and his voice was un-
| usually soft.
Mrs. Wedd, assisted by her eldest,
girl of fourteen, was busy in the
| kitchen.
Mr.. Wedd was busy in the small
parlor, endeavoring to keep the baby
in pleasant humor and at the same
time restraining his sons from paw
ing the clean tablecloth. The two
little girls were engaged in breathing
| hard upon the rainy window and
watching for "the strange gentle
man." whose coming had been the
chief topic Of discussion for some
days past. II was nearly o'clock.
Since $50 the two little girls had
| sprung at least fifteen false alarms,
and their father was finding it hard
to prevent his nerves from getting
| tho better Of his good nature.
1t must not be supposed that John
Wedd and his wife had invited the
| stranger in haste only to repent Of
doing so at leisure. The pathetic
advertisement had appealed to their