The Washington herald., 1920-12-25


recompensed the boy, were only
10 be exceeded by the chuckle with
which he sat down breathless in
his chair again, and chuckled till
he cried.
He dressed himself "aII in his
best" and at last got out into the
streets.
He had not gone far. when COM
ing on toward him he beheld the
portly gentleman, who had walked 4
into his counting-house the day be-
fore and said, ''Scrooge and Mar
leys, / believer II sent a ps1g
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 It.
my dear Sir" said Scroose,
quickening his pace and taking the
old gentleman by both his hands.
How do you do? I hope you sue.
ceeded yesterday. IL was very kind
Of you. A Merry Christmas to you.
SIR
Mr.. Scrooge?"
YES" said Scrooge. That Js my
name. and fear IL may not be
pleasant to you. Allow me to ask
goodness"-here Scrooge whispered
in his ear.
Lord bless me-" cried the gem
tleman. as IL his breath were gone.
MY dear Mr.. scrsoge. are you
serious?''
III you please" said Scrooge.
Not a fsrthing less. A grest many
back payments are included in ii.
l assure you. viii you do me that
favor2"
MY dear Sir" said the otAerI
shaking hands with him. L dent
know what to say 90 such mum J.
f.
torted Scrooge. Come and see ne.
Will you come and see ne-"
Il Will" cried the old gentleman.
And IL was clear he meant to DO
it,
'-Thsnk'ee." said Scrooge. Il am
much obliged 10 you. ] thank you
fifty times. Bless yoa"
He went to church and walked
about the streets. and watched the
people hurrying to and fro and pat
ted children on the head. and oues-
TONED beggars. and looked down
into the kitchens OF houses and up
to the windows and never dreamed
that any wslk-that anything
could give him SO much happiness.
In the afternoon, he turned his
steps towards his nephew's house.
He passed the door dozen
| times, before he had the courage
to go up and knock. But he made
dash and did il.
lis your master at home. nv
dear?" said scrooge TO the girl.
Nice girl! Very.
Yes. Sir
Where is he, my love-" said
Hes in the dininE-room, Sir.
along with mistress. IN shew you
up stairs, IL you please"
Thank'ee. He knows me-" said
Scrooge, with his hand already on
the dining-ropm lock. 'TII go in
here, my dear"
He turned it gently and sidled his
face in, round the door. They were
looking at the table (Which was
spread out in great arrayl: for
these young housekeepers arc al
ways nervous on such points and
like TO see that everything is righi.
Fred" said Scrooge.
Dear heart alive how hissniecr hv
marriage started. Scrooge had for
gotten, for the moment, about her
sitting in the corner with the foot
stool or he wouldn't have done Il,
on any account.
why bless my soul.' cried
Fred, who's that?"
It's a. Your Uncle Scrooge.
have come to dinner. Will you let
me m, Fred?"
Let him in! II is a mercy he d.J.t
shake his arm off. He was 81
home in five minutes. Noth5nL
could be heartier. His niece looked
just the same. So did Topper when
He came. So did the plump sister.
when SHE came. So did everyone
when THEY came. Wonderful par
ty. wonderful games, wonderful
unanimity. wonderful happIness,
But he was early at the otsI,e
next morning. Oh he was earIy
there. II he could be there first aud
catch Bob Crstchit coming late,
That was the thing he had set rs
heart upon.
And he did il; yes he dlu. Tie
clock struck nine. No Bob \ quar-
ter past. No Bob. He was full eight
cen minutes and a half behind tho
|
wide open that he might see INN
come into the Tank.
His hat was off. before he o-,-
ened the door. his comforter to.
He was on his stool in ufls.
driving away with his pen. as Z
he were trying to overtake nine
O'Clock
! Halo" growled Scrooge in hi.
accustomed voice as near as l..
could feign IT, What do Won men
by coming here at this time of
day."
Il am very sorry. Sir" said Bob.
Il AM behind my time"
You are?" repeated Scroors
Yes / think you are. Step this
way. Sir. il you please"
| Its only once a year. Sir" plead-
ed Bob. appearing from the Tank.
TT shall not be repeated. 1 was
making rather merry yesterday.
Sir"
Now. I'll tell you what nv
friend" said Scrooge. Il am not
going TO stand this sort Of thing
any longer. And therefore" he con-
tinued, leaping from his stool. and
giving Bob such a dig IL the
waistcoat that he staggered back
into the Tank again, "and there
fore am about TO raise your SAL
ary."
Bob trembled. and got a little
nearer to the ruler. He had a mo-
mentary idea OF knocking Scrooee
down with IL; holding him and call
ing to the people in the corr: for
help and a straft-waisfcoat