The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-12-18

ciump OF empty boxes, barrels. and
such debris and merchandise as had
been crowded peil-mell from scr-e In
ner storage by their newer and more
dignifed companions; and ,low and
then we passed an empty bnJ, bulging
up In the darkness like n behemoth
OF the olden times; or, .jutting from
still narrower passages, the sloping
ENDS OF drays and carts innumerable.
ana along even as forbidding q defile
as this we groped until we came upon
o low, square brick building that
might have served at one time as n
wash-house. or. less probably, perhaps.
o dairy. There was but one window
in the front. and that but little larger
than an ordinary pane Of glass. In
the sides. however. and higher up,
was row of gratings, evidently de-
signed more to serve as ventilation
than as openings for light. There was
bnt one opening, an upright doorway.
,haif above ground, half below, with
little narrow sidesteps leadir down
20 it. A light shone dimly from the
little window, and as the boy mo-
toned me to pause and listen, a sound
OF female voices talking In under.
tones was audible. mingled with a
sound like that OF someone snoring
heavily.
Hear the old man a-gittin' in his
work." whispered the boy.
nodded. He's asleep?"
You bet he's asleep!" said the boy.
still In whisper; and he'll list
about stay with 1t thataway fer five
hours, anyhow. What time you got
now. cap?"
. "A quarter now TIL four" replied.
peering at my watch.
Wy. it's Christmas. then!" he
cried in muf1ed rapture of delight;
but abruptly checking his emotion,
he beckoned me a little farther from
the door, and spoke in a confidential
whisper.
Cap. look here. now; fore we go in
I want you to promise me one thing.
cause you can fix 1t and she'll never
drop! Now. here. want to put up a
JOB on Sis. you understand"
What" I exclaimed, starting back
and staring at the boy in amazement.
= w up q JUL Oh SlS Z!
"Oh. look here. now, cap; you amt
a.goin' back on q feller like that!"
broke in. the little fellow, in a min.
gied tone OF pleading and reproof;
land IL you don't help q feller I'll haf
to wait I'LL broad daylight, cause We
ainG got no clock:
mo clock!" l. repeated with In.
creased bewiIderment.
oh. come, cap. what do you say
1t amt no lie, you know; all you got
to doll be to jist tell Sis it's Chr,...
fnas-an though you didn't want me
TO herr, you know; and then she'll
git Iny Christmas gift!' first, you
know; land. oh, .lordy! won't. she
think shes played 1t ,fae!" And rs
a alowly cornprehended the meaning
tcf the little fellows plot nodded my
Willingness TO assist in putting ur
tine job" H. 'aS
Nov. held ON second" continued,
lthe little fellow. in the widest glee.
tdarting through an opening In high
pbard fence a dozen steps away, and
In an instant reappearing with bulky
parcel, which, as he neared me. dis
covered was. a paper -four sack half
Ehlled, the other half tapped down and
fastened with O large twine string.
Nov this stuff" he went on excited.
~, you, must .juggle In without Sis
seein' it-here. shove it under your
ben, Observation-Disclosures business!
Now when YOU go. In. you're to set.
down with the other side lords the
bed, You see, and wAen Sis boilers
christmas gift you know. you list
kind o. let Il slide down to the floor
like, and I'll nail It slick enough
though I'll p'tend, you know, it ain't
iChristmas yet, and look cold ont, and
isay II wasn't fair fer you to tell her,
land all that; and then I'll open up
lguddent-like. and II you cont see old
Sis bug out them eyes of harm don't
want d cent" And as the gleefnl boy,
tcbncluded this speech, me put his
hhnds over shis mouth and, dragged
na down the little, narrow steps.
sHeiN's that feiler! come to see you.
lals." he announced abruptly, openir g
the door and peering In. Come zonss q 7
The, said, turning to me. followed.
closing the Door. and looking curious{
liz around A squahby. red,fsced.
woman. sitting onsthe edge of low
bed, leered upon me. but with no
tsalutation. An old ceokstove, propped
fup with bricks, stood back against the
wall directly opposite, and through,
the warped and broken doors I'm front
ieent out o dismal suggestion OF the
IAre that bugned within. At the side.
lof this. pr6ns ::Don the floor. lay the,
wrstehed agtfe Of q man, sy..aently