The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-12-13

Aihl-iioi CIleu Olu eZZlWlSs
skipping down from the high desk,
with wonderful agility. "Clear away,
lads, and let's have lots Of ROOM"
In came fiddler and tuned like
fifty stomach-aches. In came Mrs.
Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile.
In came the three Miss Fezziwigs,
beaming and loveable. In came the
six young followers whose hearts
they broke. In came all the young
men and women employed in the
business. In came the housemaid,
with her cousin, the baker. In came
the cook, with her brothers. particu-
lar friend, the milkman. In came
the boy from over the way, who
was suspected of not having board
enough from his master; trying to
hide himself behind the girl from
next door but one, who was proved
to have had her ears pulled by her
mistress. In they all came, some
shyly, some boldly, some graceful
ly, some awkwardly. Away they all
went, twenty couple at once; hands
half round and back again the other
way; down the middle and up again;
round and round In various stages
of affectionate grouping; Old top
couple always turning up In the
wrong place; new top couple start
ing of again, as soon as they got
there; all top couples at last, and
not a bottom one to help themi
There were more dances, and
there were forfeits, and more
dances, and there was cake, and
there was negus, and there was a
great piece Of Cold Roast, and
there was great piece of Cold
Boiled, and there were mince-pies,
and plenty Of beer. But the great
effect Of the evening came after the
Roast and Boiled, when the fiddler
Gan artful dog, mindD struck up
"Sir Roger de Coverley." Then old
Fezziwig stood out to dance with
Mrs. Fezziwig. Top couple, too;
with a good stiff piece Of work cut
out for them; three or four and
twenty pair of partners.
"a small matter" said the Ghost,
'to make these silly folks so full of
gratitude"
''Whyl Is 1t not? He has spent but
a few pounds Of your mortal money"
ut isn't that" said Scrooge, heat
ed by the remark, "It isn't that,
Spirit. He has the power to rem
der us happy or unhappy; to make
our service light or burdensome; a
pleasure or a toll. Say that his
YNOxuor lioo Il, rx,0rJa o~I Iz1t.-. =
things so slight and Insignificant that
1t is impossible to add and count 'em
up: what then7 The happiness he
gives, is quite as great as If 1t
cost fortune"
He felt the Spirits glance, and
stopped.
What is it," asked the Ghost.
Nothing" said Scrooge.
Something, I think?" the Ghost
insisted.
mo-" said Scrooge, mo. 1 should
like to be able to say a word or
two to my clerk just now"
my time grows short" observed
the Spirit. "Quickl"
This produced an immediate eff.
feet. For again Scrooge saw him
self. He was older now.
He was not alone, but sat by the
side Of q fair young girl in whose
eyes there were tears.
ut matters little" she said. soft
ly. ITO you, very little. Another
idol has displaced me; and IL IL can
cheer and comfort you in time to
come, as l would have tried to do,
have no just cause to grieve."
What Idol has displaced your"
he rejoined.
"A golden one"
What then7" he retorted. Even
II have grown so much wiser, what
theni / am not changed towards
you"
She shook her head.
Your own feeling tells you that
you were not what yeu are" she
returned. II am. That which prom
ised happiness when we were one
in heart, is fraught with misery
now that we are two. II is enough