Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-12-23

room on the afternoon before Christ
mas ieisurely looking out Of the
windows at the crowd of Christmas
shoppers, who had put off their gift
buying until it could no longer be
postponed, and who were now hurry
ing by the scores through the parks,
either homeward or down town bound.
Plainly HOLSTERS sympaties were not
listed with the Christmas shoppers.
That could easily be detected in the
manner in which he surveyed them.
The truth of the matter was that
to him the great excitement incident
to the great holiday seemed all nom
sense and he was very glad that he
was not one of the men who on every
hand were laden with toys and play
things for their little ones at home.
"The crying brats" thought Hollis
ter, they were not worth so much
fuss and worry"
Then the loneliness of his surround
ings oppressed Hollister for the club
rooms were entirely deserted. For
weeks he had heard the club fellows
talking about what they intended
doing Christmas, or where they in
tended going. All, save he, seemed
60 have been invited some place.
Hollister almost wished that he
had remained down in his dingy office
outlining the work of some client.
He heard the door open, footsteps
in the rooms, and turning about he
saw John Webster, who with over
coat pockets bulging with packages
and with beaming countenance cheer
lily exclaimed. "Why. hello, there
Holly. What on earth are you moon
ing around here on Christmas eve,
for, thought I'd find you here
Better come home with me, old man."
"Much obliged, Web" responded
Hollister, "but really l don't see how
can-frightfully busy-you see
down at the office-I-"
"Let the office co." interrupted
Webster, "why, man, you don't al
ways want to work; leastways not on
Christmas eve. That's not the way"
Hollister vouchsafed some more ex-
cuses. Not that he feared that he
would not enjoy himself with Webster,
for John Webster, was in HOLSTERS
estimation, one of the best fellows
in the club. But he feared that to
visit mans house. where there was
a pretty wife and three children who
adored that man, would make him
quite 200 lonely.
Still it felt good to be invited some
where and for this Hollister thanked
Inhn "phcfnr x,hnp ha cbn
luctantly took his leave.
1t had now grown darker. The
snow was falling faster, so that the
passersby were but family discern
able.
Hollister turned to the fire which
snapped and cracked into the CRATE,
and gazed abstracteily into the fire
place. The flames were making re-
peated attacks upon = knotty hickory
log, and flaming up at times in their
renewed effort, filled the room with "A
faint Pickering light. by which the
features of Hollister were discernhie
"a broad, intellectual forehead, aluil-
inc nose and square firm jaws. 1t
was no unllind face 1t was good
face, only marred by deep lines of dis
appointment, while n certain sadness
tempered each feature.
The gay voices and merry laughter
of the happy Christmas crowds pene-
trated the walls and struck on the
ears of the lonesome man.
"This is no place 20 stay" he ex-
claimed aloud, and suiting the action
80 the word he summoned the valet
and was soon mingiipg with the mcr-
ny Christmas shoppers in the busy
streets. The "Merry Christmases"
pained Hollister as did also the bun
dies which each passerby carried.
Still, all of them, Hoilister observed
looked happy as they jostled and
crowded each other Z their efforts to
m!ot home slfe'y those mysterious
SHIPPED bundles. What Joy was there
even depicted on the begrimmed faces
of the little bootblacks, busily plying
their trade and deiighting in the
liberal remembrances from their
patrons. How was it, that he alone,
should be destitute Of that Christmas
cheer?
He entered the little down-street
restaurant, where he was accustomed
to eat. His seat at table near the
window still brought the Christmas
shoppers directly in his view. He
glanced over the menu card and after
undue deliberation ordered his even
ing meal.
Hollister glanced into the street
There were two street urchins gaz-
ing hungrily into the warmly-lighted
restaurant. The younger had his tiny
nose pressed tightly against the win
dow pane. His eyes were large and
brown and his pale little face wore
a distinctly hungry, half-starved ex,
preston. That was plainly no happy
Christmas face, thought Hollister. but
even then he saw q sprig of holly
bravely pinned on the shabby little
Jacket. Even this Waif wore an EN-