The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-31

atop Of one of the closed typewriter
desks where the cashier and the sales
man had lifted him. Even the mana
ger, weary of looking anxiously into
space had come out from his office to
watch the fun. And from the first
utterance from the wrinkled brown
lips the group around him had begun
to laugh. They were in a mood to be
amused easily, and. besides, just to
look at Thaddeus was to satisfy ones
cravings for the ridiculous. Perhaps
this was because of his broad, genial
smile in the midst of wrinkles, rags
and rheumatism.
Ten minutes later the laughter had
ceased The bent figure had straight
ened out and the eyes were shining
with the clear light and faith of con-
viction. Every pair of eyes in the
dozen or so around him was riveted
on him intently.
81 knows, sistern and brethern,' he
said, that you intends to pass the hat
and take up collection for me, and
1 knows it is because of the mite of
Christmas spirit in yo' hearts that you
is dom this TO. me. An Is grateful,
that I is" Here the voice grew clearer
and the eyes shone brighter. But
what 1 wants to tell you is that I. poor
OF crippled darby as 1 is, have got
got to give me. Is got in my heart
treasure, the treasure of lovin one
another, loving your brethren and sis
tern same as 1 loves you all-especially
the same, as I loves my OF sister down
in Virginie. And yo' all have lost sight
of that kind of lovin'. 1 can tell by
lookin' in yo' faces. =" And so
the old man preached on and the faces
around him grew more intent and the
figures grew closer. And now" he
said, raising his withered brown hand
in a blessing, q gives my great Christ
mas giftto you-the greatest of ali
gifts-of lovin' one another.
So the old man stopped, and no one
noticed how much went into the hat
that the salesman silently passed
monosylla bles, for the Christmas spirit
had at last entered the office of the
big factory.
1t was 10 o'clock by the clock in
the office and old Thaddeus was on
his knees scrubbing the concrete
floors grooming as he did so an old
darby melody. Just then the door
opened, and the telephone girl bun
died into a mans overcoat, came in
on the arm of the new salesman.
you're parson. honor bright,
aren't your" the man asked. well,
here's the license. We had little talk
after your sermon, Uncle Thaddeus.
and here we are. Can you marry us
right away" And there in the outer
office beside the switchboard the lit
tie telepnOne girl was married TO the
new salesman. After it was over and
the blessing had been pronounced the
old man smiled and said: I'm tell
you now. This is the second marryin
these OF hans has blessed tonight. Mr.
Cashier and the managers secretary
they got here ahead of you all. They
said it was the little sermon did il,
too
Thaddeus was almost ready to leave
the office, his work done, when the
door opened with a rush. 1t was the
manager. out of breath and excited.
Il was afraid I'd miss you, uncle"
he said with smile that was as GEN
ial as Thaddeus's own but | have a
| little something to tell you I've been
to the president of the concern to have
| it o. KID or I'd have got here sooner.
You have been faithful. and we an
preciate you, Thaddeus, and we are
! going TO pension you for life For the
rest of your days you are to receive
your regular wage and half as much
besides. You can stay here or not as
| you choose. Perhaps you'd rather go
back to your old sister in Virginia 7
| wanted to tell you myself so you'd
know that your sermon had brought
| the Christmas spirit into one of. our
cold hearts at least Copyrieht
1916. by the Mcclure Newspaper syn
| dicate.)