The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1915-12-24

the dwelling he had visited before
and found the mother and the chill
dren seated round the IRE.
Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy little
Cratchits were as still as statues In
one corner, and sat looking up at
Peter. who had q book before him.
The mother and her daughter were
engaged In sewing. But surely they
were very quiet!
"And He took a child and Get him
In the midst OF them.'"
Where had Scrooge heard those
words? He had not dreamed them.
The boy must have read them out, as
he and the Spirit crossed the TIRES
hold. Why did he not go on?
The mother laid her work upon the
table, and put her hand up to her
face.
"The color hurts my eyes" she said.
The color7 All, poor Tiny TIM
They're better now again. said
Cratchits wife. 1T makes them
weak by candlelight; and wouldn't
show weak eyes to your father when
he comes home for the world. II
must DO near his time"
Past II rather" Peter answered.
shutting up his book. But think he
has walked a little slower than he
used these last few evenings, mother"
They were very quiet again. At last
she said, and In steady. cheerful
voice that only faltered once:
IT have known him walk with
have known him walk with Tiny Tim
upon his shoulder very fast indeed"
And so have l." cried Peter.
"Often."
And 40 have l." exclaimed nn-
other. 80 had all.
But he was very light TO carry"
she resumed, intent upon her work.
land his father loved him 30, that Il
was no trouble no trouble. And
there is your father at the duorl"
She hurried out to meet him; md
little Bob In his comfortable had
need of IL. poor fellow-came in. His
tea WAS ready for him on the hob.
and they all tried who should help It
20 him most. Then the two young
Cratchits got upon his knees and laid,
each child. a little cheek against his
face, as If they said. Don't mind II,
father. Don't be grieved!"
Bob was very cheerful with them.
and spoke pleasantly to all the fam
lily. He looked at the work upon tho
table and praised tho Industry and
speed OF Mrs. CratchIt and the girls.
They would be done long before sun
day, he said.
Sunday You went to-day. then,
Robert?" said his wife.
Eyes, my dear" returned Bob. "I
wish you could have gone II world
have done you good to see how green
place II is. l5ut you'll see II often.
I promised him that l would walk
child" cried Bob. MY little child"
colldn't help It. II no could have
helped it. no and his child would have
been further apart. perhaps than
they were.
lie left tho room and went upstairs
into the room above, which was
lighted cheerfully and hung with
Christmas. There was chair set
close beside the child, and there were
signs OF some one having been there
lately. Poor Bob sat down in II, and
when he had thought little and com
posed himself, he kissed the little
face. llo was reconciled to what had
happened, and went down again
quite happy.
They drew about the fire and
talked; the girls and mother working
still Bob told them Of tho extraord-
mary. kindness OF Mr.. Scroogof
nephew, whom he had scarcely seen
but once, and who, meeting MN III
the street that day. and seeing tha'
he looked q llttle-"iust "A little down
YOU know" said Bob. inquired whal
had happened 10 distress MIN on
which," said Bob, ''for he Is the pleas
antest-spoken gentleman you ever
heard, told him. am heartily
sorry for II, Mr.. Cratchit,' hs SAID
and heartily sorry for your good
wife BY the by. how he ever kne"
that, ! don't know" -,
"l<new what, my dearT
"Why, that you were n good WIFE,
replied Bob, 49,, ,d
"Nery we'll observed, my boy
cried Bob. ~ hope they do. Hearth!
sorry he said, for your good wire
IL can be OF service 70 you IN an!
way.' he said, giving me his card
.thst's where | live. Pray come u
me Now, 1t wasn't cried BOD
.'for the sake OF anything he migh
be able to do for MS, 40 much as 20
his kind way. that this was quite do
lightful, 1t really seemed as II n
had known our Tiny Tim and Eel
with us" ,
'Im sure he's a good SOUL" SAT-
Mrs. Cratchit.
on WOulu DC sure VI ~ wy uohi
returned Bob, III you saw and spok
20 him. ! shouldn't be at all sur
prised-mark what | say!--if he go
Peter a better situation"
"Only hear that, Peter" said Mrs
Cratchit.
and them cried one of the girls
Peter will be keeping company wit
some one. and setting up for him
self"
get along with you!" retorte
Peter, grinning.
ITS Just as like as not" said BOZ
zone of these days; though there
plenty of time for that, my dear. Blu
however and whenever we part froh
one another | am sure we shall non
. OF us forget poor Tiny Tim-shall We
or this first parting that there wa
among u.s."
Never. father!" cried they all.
"And | know" said Bob,-"I know
, my dears, that when we recollect no,
patient and how mild he was. al
though he was a little, little child. w
shall not quarrel easily among our
: selves, and forget poor Tiny Tim 1
4 doing it,"
mo, never, father" they all erie
r again.
= ~ am very happy" said little Bol
0 81 am very happy!"
!, Mrs. Cratchit kissed him, his daugl
r ters kissed him, the two yOun