The mirror., 1919-12-25

Suppose it-he-had done you dirt 2 /"
Jaw, I'd forget it! What's de use?"
Then suppose you were-afraid of it
of him?"
Again the boy considered before he spoke.
II reckon I'd 60 an punch him one" he
said.
each other. Then Mr.. Clinch ran his lean,
hard fingers over his chin, and squared his
shoulders bit.
Il believe you are right, he said. There's
fellow that I have thought, for years,
hated; I'm beginning to believe I've only
been afraid of him. Pm going to take your
advice and-er punch him one.' You don't
think you could come along and help, do
your"
"Sure l couldP' said the boy; then his
face changed, and he shifted the bundle of
papers. "Only-I guess maybe I'd better sell
out, first. It's Christmas Eve, and folks
don't stop to buy papers much on Christmas
Eve
'Ill buy you out, said Mr.. Clinch.
Here's dollar, and there won't be any
change. Give your papers to that chap yon-
der and let him sell them over again. Tell
him they're Christmas gift from you"
There is something in the heart of every
child which makes him accept unquestion-
ingly whatever miracle may befall on Christ
mas Eve; the newsboy darted away, and in a
moment was back again, unburdened, at Mr..
Clinch's side.
"Are you cold?" asked Mr.. Clinch, as
they trudged along toward the big depart
ment store in the next block. He was look
ing down at the thinly covered shoulders
and the broken shoes.
Not so very" the boy replied, pluckily;
he was staring at the windows as though he
had not seen them before. Perhaps, thought
Mr.. Clinch, he was like himself; perhaps he
had been too busy really to see things,
even when he passed them every day. He re-
called phrase he had heard-though he
could not remember where-about those who
have eyes and see not. This lad had been
selling him papers for two years, and never
until tonight had Mr.. Clinch really seen
him.
He was beginning to see good deal. He
was beginning to see light of sacrifice and
love in faces he had thought only foolishly
smiling; he was beginning to see spirit of
brotherhood in the giving that had seemed
ginning to see great underlying purpose in
it all. And beyond doubt he saw, all too
clearly, the meaning of the long succession
of his empty Christmases of the past, the
Christmases that he hated
The aisles of the department store were
crowded, the elevators more than crowded ;;
but the pair found their way to the floor
where the clothing was sold, and in very
short time Mr.. Clinch had delivered his first
punch to the person of whom he was afraid.
When the boy stood in front of him newly
clad in garments warm and clean and suit
able, there had already come Hndlier feel
ing in Mr.. Clinch's heart toward this de-
tested Christmas
The boy beamed up at him as they walked
toward the stairs. "Say," he said, "I'm ever
so much obliged for these clo'es. Honest
am. But-you hadn't oughter spend so
much money for just one O your Christmas
gifts, specially when you're broke"
"Well, I'll tell you, sonny" said Mr..
Clinch. "If l don't spend money | can't
deliver that-er-punch that we were talk
ing about. You know you said you'd help
me give that punch!"
The boy seemed to be thinking hard then
he asked, "Ain't it your own money you're
spendin'?"
eyes," said Mr.. Clinch.
'eThen don't see how spendin' your own
money is goin' to hurt the other feller,"
he said, the one you're afraid of"
I'm not as afraid of him as | was" said
Mr.. Clinch. "So-what shall we buy
next!
Again the lad considered he was taking
the adventure as simply as though it hap
pened every day. Maybe you'd better buy
your other Christmas presents" he sug-
gested.
Mr.. Clinch began to hate Christmas
again. u don't give presents" he said.
II haven't anybody to give them to.
Jaw, go on!" said the boy in tone that
was meant rather to be encouraging than ir-
reverent. "You don't have to have anybody
to give presents to. You didn't have me, did
you?"
There was pause; then the boy asked,
Say don't you like to give things"
mo, do not" said Mr.. Clinch; oh, yes,
he did hate Christmas. But, suddenly he
saw again dirty little hand with twenty
three cents on its palm, and there was some
thing within him which asked whether he
were being quite, quite honest with himself.
: WELL" he said, II don't know whether I
like it or not. I-er-haven't tried it very
much"
"Gee!" said the boy, II wisht 1 had as
much money as you. l know whether I'd
like 1t or not. Continued ON page 8, column 8.