The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-12-30
:i..iii.l IT

them with tho Ghost OF Christmas
Present. and walking with his
hands behind him. Scrooge regard
ed every ono with delighted
smile. He looked 30 irreaiAtibly
| pleasant. In IA word. that three or
four good-humored fellows said
Good morning. slrl a merry
Christmas 10 you" And Scrooge
said often afterwards. that OF all
the bllthe sounds he had ever
heard. those were the bllthest In
his cars.
lilo had not gone far. when com
INK on towards him he beheld the
portly gentleman who had walked
into his countinghoune the day be
fore. and said. "scrooge and Mar.
ley's. | believer II sent pang
across his heart TO think how this
old gentleman would look upon him
when they met: but he knew what
path lay straight before him, and
he took Il.
MY doar sir" said Scrooge,
auickening his pace. and taking the
old gentleman by both his hands.
How do you dor hope you sue
ceeded yesterday II was very kind
of YOU. A merry Christmas 10 you,
STR"
mir Scrooge7"
"Yes." said SerooEe. That 81
my name, and | fear ~ may not
be pleasant 10 you. Allow me e
ask your pardon. And will yot
have the goodnesa"-here Scroogs
whispered In his ear.
! Lord bless me-" cried tho gen
tleman. as II his breath were taker
away My dear Mr.. Scrooge. are
you ncrlouh7"
n you please" said Scrooge
Not a fRrthing less. A great many
back payments are included in Il
I assure you. VIII you do me tha
fayor7"
"My dear sir" said the other
shaking hands with him. 4 dom
know what To say 90 such mu
nln--"
Don't say anything. please.
rotorted Scrooge. Come aud ser
me. WIN you come and zee me7'
Il viii" cried the old gentle
man And II was clear he mean
10 DO 81. too
"Thank'ee." said Scrooge. q
attn much Obliged 20 you. ! thanh
you fifty timoa. Bless you"
iIo went 10 church. and walket
abou, the streets. and watched this
people hurryiug To and fro. and pat
ted children on the head. and CUES
/ toned begEarn. and looked down In
TO tho kitchens OF houses. and al
TO the windows. and found that ey
erythinR could yield him pleasure
lie had never dreamed that an,
walk--that anything could give
him no much happiness. In the aft
ornoon he turned his steps towardi
bis nephew's house.
lie passed the door a dozeI
times before he had the courage
20 go up and knock. hut he made
dash. aud dh Il.
is your master at homo. M
dear7' said scrooge TO the girl
Nlca girl, Very.
Hes In the dining room. sir
along with mistress. I'll show yoi
upstairs. II you please"
"Thankcc. lie knows me.
said Scroogc. with his hand al
ready on the dining room lock. "I1
so IN here. my dear"
I IL
his face In. round the door. The
we're looking at the table (whicl
was spread on; in great array; 70
these young houaekeepers are al
ways nervous on such points. an'
Ike to sec that everything ia right
"F'r"f'" said Scrooge.
why. bless my goul!' crie'
Fred. who's THAR"
IT'S l. Your Uncle Scrooge.
have come to dinner. WIN you le
me In. Frcd7"
let him I'M It's a mercy h
didn't shake his arm off. He wal
at home In five minutes Nothinl
could be hcarticr. Wonderful
party. wonderful gaines. wonder
/ ful hnppincss'
But he was early at the offio'
next morning oh. he was earl!
there. II he could only be Their
first. and catch Hob Cratchit com
ing lAto' That was the thing h.
had set his heart upon
And he did It.: yes. he did Tn,
clock struck nine. No Bob. \
quarter past. No Bob. lie wal
full eighteen minutes and a hal
behind his time. ScrooEe sat Will
his door wide open. that he nigh
see him come In.
His hat was Off before h,
opened the door. his comforter
too. He was on his stool in &
jiffy. driving away with HIS pen
d