The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-12-26

the strangcst thing about II was
that from the crown OF it's head
there sprung a bright clear ic, OF
light. by which all this was visible
Are you the Spirit. sir. whose
coming was foreiold 10 me-
asked Scrooge.
Il am"
Tho voice was soft and gentle.
Who and what arc YOU
Scrooge demanded
Il am tho Ghost OF Christmas
Past"
Long pastg' inquired scrooge
observant of it's dwarfish stature.
"No. Your past"
Scrooge then made bold TO In
quire what business brought him
there.
Your welfarel" said the Ghost
II put out it's strong hand as 4,
spoke. and olasped him gently by
the arm.
Rise, and walk with me-"
II would have been in vain foi
Scroogo 10 plead that tho weather
and tho hour were not adapted tc
pedestrian purposes: that bed was
warm, and the thermometer a Ions
way below freezing; that he was
clad but lightly in his slippers
dressing.gown and nlght.cap; and
that he had cold upon him at tina,
time. Tho grasp. tho gentle as a
woman's hand. was not 10 be re.
sisted He rose: but finding tina,
the Spirit made toward the window
claspcd his robe in supplication.
4 am n mortal" Scrooge remon.
stratcd. and liable TO fall"
Bear but n touch OF my hand
there" said the Spirit. laying IL
upon his heart, "and you shall be
upheld In more than this'"
As the words were spoken they
passed thru the wall. and stood
upon an open country road. with
fields on either hand. The city had
entirely vanished. The darkness
and the mist had vanished with IL
Good Heaven" said Scrooge
elasping his hands together. as he
looked about him. Il was bred in
this place. was a boy hcre,"
The Spirit gazed upon him mildly
It's gentle touch, tho II had been
light and instantaneous. appeared
still present TO the old mans sense
OF feeling. He was conscious OF a
thousand odors floating In the air
each one connected with n thou.
sand thoughts. and hopes. and Joys,
and cares long, long. forgotten.
Your lip is trembling" said the
Ghost. And what is that upon
your cheek7"
Scrooge muttered. with an un.
usual catching in his voice, that Il
was a pimple. and begged the
Ghost TO lead him where he would.
You recollect tho way?" inquired
tho Spirit.
Remember III" cried Scrooge
with fcrvor; Il could walk II blind.
fold"
Strange to have forgotten IL for
so many years." observed the
Ghost. Let us 20 on"
They walked along the road.
Scrooge recognizing every gate. and
post, and tree; until little market
town appeared In the distance, with
Its bridge. its church and winding
river. Some shaggy ponies now
were seen trotting toward them
with boys upon their backs. who
called to other boys In country gigs
and carts, driven by farmers. All
hese boys were in great spirits.
md shouted to each other, until the
broad fields were so full OF merry
music that the crisp air laughed to
hear ~
These are but shadows OF the
hings that have been" said the
Ghost. They have no conscious,
ness OF u.s."
The jocund travellers came on:
and as they came. Scrooge knew
and named them every one. Why
was he reioiced beyond all
bounds to see them7 Why did his
cold eye glisten. and his heart leap
up as they went past? Why was he
filled with gladness when he heard
them give each other Merry Christ.
mas, as they parted at crossroads
and bye-ways, for their several
homes? What was Merry Christ
mas to Scrooge? Out upon Merry
Christmas What good had II ever
done to him?
THE school is not quite desert.
ed" said the Ghost, "a solitary
child, neglected by his friends. is
left there STILL"
Scrooge said he knew II. And