The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-12-14

"PinyIng bridge" he answered.
Are you going out nnywhereT
NO. What's the troubler
"I'lI tell YOU later. I may wnnt 70
see you tonight before go back TO
the office"
IAN right. I'll be at home all the
evening"
hung w the receiver and mo lie OF
on my errand.
Down town the streets were crowd.
Ell with the package laden people.
bending heads and shoulders 10 the
bitter wind. which swept binding,
sIeet-like snow horizontally against
them. A. corners II struck 40 tumul-
tuous blow upon the chest Of the pc
destriuns that for moment II would
halt them, and you could hear them
gasping half-smothered "Ahs" like
bathers In q heavy surf. Yet there
was gnyety In this eager gule; the
crowds pressed anxiously. YET hap
PLY, up aud down the street In their
generous search for things to give
AWAY. II was not the rich who strug-
were people who Carried their own
bundles home. You saw them: toilers
and savers, tired mothers and fathers,
worn with the grinding thrift Of all
the year, but now for this one night
careless OF how hardsaved the money
reckless OF everything but the JOY OF
giving It TO bring the children JOY on
the one great tomorrow. So they bent
their heads to the freezing wind. their
arms laden with daring bundles and
their hearts upllfted with the tremul'
Gus happiness Of giving more than they
could afford. Meanwhile. MIR. Simeon
Peck. honest man, had chosen this
season to work harm II he might to
the gentlest of his fellow-men.
found Mr.. Peck waiting for me
at his house. There were four other
men with him, one Of whom ! recog.
nized as Grist, squat young mnn
with slippery-looking black hair and
q lambrequin mustache. They were
donning their coats and hats In the
hall when ] arrived.
"From the Despatch, hay" Mr.
Peck gave me greeting. as he wound
q knit comforter about his neck
That's good. We'd most give you up
This here's Mr.. Grist, and M. Henry
p. Cullop. and Mr.. Gus Schulmeyer-
three men that feel the same way
about Dave Beasley that I do. That
other young Teller" he waved NIT
tened hand to the fourth Han-"he's
from the Journal. Likely you're nc
quainted."
The young man from the journal
was unknown TO me; moreover, ] was
far from overjoyed at his presence In
the group.
I've got you newspaper men here.
continued Mr.. Peck, because I'm
goin' to show you somep'n' about
Dave Bensley thnt'll open a good many
folks eyes when it's In print"
"Well. what Is III" l asked, rather
sharply.
"Jest hold your horses a little bit,
he returned. "Grist and me knows
and so do Mr. Cuilop and Mr.. Schulz
meyer. And I'm soin' to take them
and you two reporters to look at It
All ready? Then come on"
He threw open the door. stopped
10 the gust that took him by the
throat. and led the way out into the
storm.
"What Is he up tor" easped TO the
Journal man as we followed In Q
struggling line.
II don't know any more than you
do" he returned. "He thinks hes
got something thatTl queer Beasley
Peck's an old fool. but It's Just pos
sible he's got hold Of something. Near.
ly everybody has one thing, at least
that they don't want found out. II
may be good story. Lord. what q
night -
I pushed ahead TO the leaders side
"See here, Mr.. Peck" l began, but
he cut me OF.
"You listen to me, young mani I'm
giNin you Sotnt news ioT YOUR puptii
and I'm g'ttin' at II my own way, but
ri git at Il, don't you worry I'm
goin' to let some folks around here
know what kind of Teller Dave
Beasley really is; yes, and I'm
goin' to show George Dowden he can't
laugh at me"
You're going to show Mr.. Dowdenr
| said. You mean you're going to
take him along with US on this expe.
dition, toof"
Take him" Mr.. Peck emitted an
acrid bark of laughter. 81 guess he's
AT Beaslcy's, all right"
"No he isn't; he's at home-at Mrs
crthwaite's-playlng cards"
"N'hat ="