The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-12-30


by for Mis- Moran's coffeepot,' he
added "Hustle up. The local must
be In
So presently the tree, partly Invested
OF it's brightness, was carried through
the streets to the other house-in more
than the magic which attends the car
rying In the open road of tree, stat
ne, cart filed with flowers, for the
tree was like some forbidden thing
that still would be expressed.
"He might not come till Christmas
Is way past" Ellen thought, follow
ing "She'll leave it standing a few
days. We can go down there and look
at tiff he comes
A little way behind them, Simeon
and Abel, with the coffeepot and the
warming oven, were hurrying back to
Mary's. They went down the desert
ed street where AbePs candle burned
and SimeOn's saint stood mute.
"When l was a little shaver" Abel
said, ''they used to have me stand in :
the open doorway Christmas eve, and
hold candle and say verse. l for
get the verse; But I've always liked
the candle in doors or windows, like
tonight. Look at mine over there now
-ain't it like somebody saying some
thing?" Z =.
"Well," said Simeon, not to be out
done, when we come by my window
just now the light hit down on it, and
I could Of swore see the saint smile"
Like enough said Abel placidly;
"like enough. You can't put Christ
mas out see that two weeks ago."
He looked back at his own window.
IF the little kid that come in the
store last Christmas eve tries to come
: in again tonight" he said, "he won't
find it all pitch dark, anyway. I'd like
to know who he was"
Near the corner that turned down to
the Rule factory they saw Ebenezer
Rule coming toward them on the Old
Trail road. They called to him.
"Hello, Ebenezer!' said Abel. "Ain't
you coming in to Mary Chavah's to-
nightY' a..-. -.
81 think not" Ebenezer answered.
"Come ahead" encouraged Simeon.
= As they met Abel spoke hesitatingly.
"Ebenezer." he said, 81 was just
figuring on proposing to Simeon here
that we stop in to your house. l was
thinking" he broke off, "how would
it be for you and him and me, that
sort of stand for the merchandise end
Of this town. to show up at Mary's
house tonight. Well, it's the women
have done all the work so far, and
was wondering how it would be for
three to get there with some little
thing for that little kid that's coming
to her. We could find something that
wouldn't cost much. 1t hadn't ought
to cost much count of our set prin-
ciples. And take it to him." Abel
ended doubtfully.
Ebenezer simply laughed his curious
succession of gutterals.
'Crazy to Christmas. after all. amt
you?" he said. .-..
But Simeon wheeled and stared at
Abel For detection in their own camp
he had never looked.
II knew you'd miss til knew you'd
miss it, Simeon said excitedly, "cut
paper and fancy tassels and
'No such thing" said Abel shortly.
Il was thinking Of that boy getting
= here, that's all. And | couldn't see
why we shouldn't do our share-which
totin' coffeepots and warming ovens
amt, as see it."
''Well. but heavens, man." said Sim
con, Its Christmas! You can't go
giving anybody anything, can your
81 don't mean give it to him for
Christmas at ALL" protested Abel. II
mean give it to him just like you would
any other day. We'd likely take him
something if it wasn't Christmas, sort
of to show our good will, like the wom-
en- with the supper. Well, why not
take him some little thing even If it is
Christmas?' -s
.Oh, WE'LL" said Simeon, that way.
If you make it plain it amt for Christ
mas. OF course we amt to blame for
what day his train got In. on"
"Sure we amt" said Abel conf
IDENTIFY. ..
EDeueZer was moving away.
"WeIl call in for you in half an hour
or So" Abeps voice followed him.
"We'll slip out after the boy gets there
There won't be time before-what say
Ebenezerw
81 think not" said Ebenezer. "Yor
don't need me-"
"Well, congratulations anyhow!
Abel called.
Ebenezer stopped on the crossing.
what forT' he asked.
"Man alivev' said Abel. "Don't you
know Bruce has got little grip
mo" said Ebenezer, 'T-didn't know.
I'm obliged to YOU" ..
He turned from them, but instead
of crossing the street to go to his
house he faced down the little dark
street to the factory. He had walked
past Jenny's once that evening. but
without being able to force himself to
inquire. He knew that Bruce had
come day or two before, but Bruce
had sent him no word. Bruce had
never sent any word since the condi,
lions of the failure had been made
plain to him when he had resigned his
. position. refused the salary due him
and left Old Trail Town Clearly