The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-12-30
BY Charles Dickens.

Christmas Day"
IT'S Christmas Day!" said
Scrooge to himself. 81 haven't
missed it. The Spirits have done
1t all in one night. They can dc
anything they like. OF course they
can. Halo, my fine fellowl"
"Hallo!" returned the boy.
do you know the poulterer's
in the next street but one, at the
corner?" Scrooge inquired.
II should hope | did," replied
the lad.
IAN intelligent boy!" sail
Scrooge. DO you know whether
they've sold the prize turkey that
was hanging up there?-Not tie
little prize turkey. the big one?"
Its hanging there now" re-
piled the boy.
as it?" said Scrooge. Go and
buy it,"
| "Walk-er!" exclaimed the boy.
mo, moi" said Scrooge. II am
in earnest. Go and buy 1t, and
tell 'em to bring it here, that
may give them the direction where
to take 1t. Come back with the
man, and I'll give you a shilling
Come back with him in less than
five minutes and I'll give you half
a-croRh."
The boy was off like a shot.
"I'll send it to Bob Catchitt's!"
whispered Scrooge, rubbing his
hands, and splitting with a laugh.
He shan't know who sends it. It's
twice the size of Tiny Tim"
The hind in which he wrote the
address vas not stoa'v one, but
write ii he did, somehow. and
went downstairs to open the street
door, ready for the coming of the
Poulterer's man. AS he stood
there, waiting his arrival, the
knocker caught his eye.
II shall love it as long as
live!' cried Scrooge, patting II
with his hand. 81 scarcely ever
looked at 1t before. What an han
est expression it has in It's face;
It's wonderful kno -kcr--Here's
the turkey. Halo! Whoop! How
are you! Merry Christmas!"
1t was turkey! He never
could have stood upon his legs
that bird. He would have snapped
EN- short off In minute, little
sticks of sealing wax.
why, It's impossible to carry
that to Camden Town." said
Scrooge. "You must have a cab. y
The chuckle with which he said
this, and the chuckle with which
he paid for the turkey, and to
chuckle with which he paid for the
cab, and the chuckle with which
ne recompensed the boy, were only
ITO be exceeded by the chuckle with
which he sat down breathless in
his chair again, and chuckled till
he cried.
He dressed himself "all in his
BEST and at last got out into the
streets. The people we're by this
time pouring forth, as he had seen
them with the Ghost of Christmas
Present, and walking with his
hands behind him, Scrooge regard
ed every one with a delighted
smile. He looked so irresistibly
pleasant, in word, that three or
-FOUR good-humored fellows said
Good morning, sir! A merry
Christmas to you!" And Scrooge
said often afterwards, that of all
the blithe sounds he had ever
heard. those were the blithest in
his ears.
He had not gone far, when COM
ing on towards him he beheld the
portly gentleman who had walked
into his counting-house the day be-
fore, and said, "Scrooge and Mar
ley's, | believer" 1t sent a 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 1t.
MY dear SIR" said Scrooge.
quickening his pace, and taking the
Old gentleman by both his hands.
How do you do? l hope you sue
ceeded yesterday. It was very kind
Of you. A merry Christmas to you.
sir!"
"Mr. Scrooge?"
Yes" said Scrooge. THAT is
my name, and I fear It may not
be pleasant to you. Allow me to
ask your pardon. And will you
have the goodness"-here Scrooge
whispered in his ear.
Lord bless mel" cried the gen.
tleman. as IL his breath were taken
away. my dear Mr.. Scrooge. are
you serious?"
IF you please" said Scrooge.
Not a farthing less. A great many
Developments are included in it,
| assure you. Will you do me that
favor?"
MY dear SIR" said the other,
shaking hands with him. IT don't
know what to say to such mu-
Mfr"
Don't say anything, please"
retorted Scrooge. Come and see
me. VIII you come and see me7"
II WIFI" cried the old gentle
man. And 1t was clear he meant
to do It, too.
"Thank'ee." said Scrooge. 81
am much obliged to you. I thank
you fifty times. Bless you'll"
He went to church, and walked
about the streets, and watched the
people hurrying to and fro, and
patted children on the head, and
questioned beggars. and looked
down into the kitchens Of houses,
and up to the windows, and found
that everything could yield him
pleasure. He had never dreamed
that any walk--that anything