The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-27

| bich WliiidIuS, 10 Dc sure!
said Scrooge to the Ghost BLESS
me, yes. There he is. He was
very much attached to me, was
Dick. Poor Dick! Dear, dear!"
"Yo, no, my boys!" said Fezzi.
wig mo more work tonight
christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas
Ebenezer! Let's have the shutters
up" cried old Fezziwig, with q
sharp clap of his hands, "before
a man can say Jock Robinson"
You wouldn't believe how those
two fellows went at IL! They
charged into the street with the
shutters-one, two, three-had
EN- up In their places-four, five
six-barred 'em and pinned EN-
seven, eight, nine-and came back
before you could have got to
twelve, painting like race horses
"llilli-ho!" cried old Fezziwig
skipping down from the high desk
with wonderful agility. Clear
away. my lads, and let's have lots
of room here! Hilli-ho, Dick!
Chirrup, Ebenezer!"
Clear away! There was nothing
they wouldn't have cleared away
or couldn't have cleared away
with old Fezziwig looking on. II
was done in minute. Every
movable was packed off, as IL II
were dismissed from public life
for evermore; the floor was swept
and watered, the lamps were
trimmed, fuel was heaped upon
the fire, and the warehouse was
as snug, and warm. and dry, and
| bright a ballroom, as you would
desire to see upon a winter
night.
In came a fiddler with a mu-
sic-book and went up to the lofty
desk, and made an orchestra of 1t.
In came Mrs. Fezziwig, one vast,
substantial smile. In came the
three Misses Fezziwigs, beaming
| and lovable. In came the six
young followers whose hearts
they broke. In came all the young
men and women employed In the
business. In came the house.
maid. with her cousin. the baker.
In came the cook, with her broth
er's particular friend, the milk
man. In came the boy from over
the way, who was suspected OF not
having board enough from his
master; trying to hide himself be-
hind the girl from next door but
one, who was proved to have had
her ears pulled by her mistress.
In they all came, one after an
other. Away they all went. twen-
ty couples at once; hands half
round and back again the other
way; down the middle and up
again; round and round In various
stages of affectionate grouping;
old top couple always turning up
I'm the wrong place; new top cou-
pie starting off again, and as soon
as they got there; all top couples
at last, and not q bottom one to
help them!
There were more dances, and
there were forfeits, and more
dances, and there was cake. and
there was negus, and there was a
great piece of Cold Roast, and
there was great piece of Cold
Boiled, and there were mincepies.
When the clock struck eleven.
this domestic ball broke up. Mr..
and Mrs. Fezziwig took their sta
tions, one on either side of the
door. and shaking hands with
every person individually as he or
she went out, wished him or her
Merry Christmas. When every
body had retired but the two
'prentices. they did the same to
them; and thus the cheerful voices
died away, and the lads were left
to their beds. which were under a
counter in the backshop.
During the whole Of this time,
Scrooge had acted like man out
of his wits. His heart and soul
were in the scene, and with his
former self.
"A small matter" said the
Ghost, Ito make these silly folks
so full of gratitude"
SMALL" echoed Scrooge.
The Spirit signed to him to
listen to the two apprentices. who
we're pouring out their hearts in
praise Of Fezziwig, and when he
had done so. said:
why! Is IL not? He has spent
but few pounds OF your mortal
money; three or four perhaps. Is
that SO much that he deserves this
praise?"
cit isn't that" said Scrooge
heated by the remark, and speak.
ing unconsciously like his former
not his latter self. 1T isn't that
Spirit He has the power to rem
der us happy or unhappy; tc
make our service light or burden
some: q pleasure or q toll. Say
that his power lies in words and
looks, in things so slight and In,
significant. that II II impossible 10
add and count 'em up; what thenf