The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-01-03

e"~"Se cSiSoSo ZIG ne nao
missed Tor happiness In his past life. The
second spirit took him to the home of his
NsTAILMENT FIVE
Yes. Soften 1t as they would, their
hearts were lighter. The children's
faces, hushed and clustered round
to hear what they 50 little under
stood, were brighter; and it was a
happier house for this mans death!
LET me see some tenderness con-
nected with DEATH" said Scrooge.
They entered Bob Cratchit's house.
Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy lit
tie Cratchits were as still as statues
In one corner, and sat looking I'D
at Peter, who had a book before
him. The mother and her daugh-
tiers were engaged in sewing.
land He took a child and set
him in the midst of them"
Where had Scrooge heard those
words? He had not dreamed them.
The mother laid her work upon
the table, put her hand up to her face.
"The colour hurts my eyes," she
said.
The colour? All, poor Tiny Timl
They're better now again." said
Cratchit's wife. 1T makes them
weak by candlelight; and wouldn't
show weak eyes to your father when
he comes home. for the world. It
must be near his time"
"Past it rather" Peter answered,
shutting up his book. "But I think
he has walked little slower than
he used, these few last evenings"
They were very quiet again. At
last she said, and in steady, cheer
full voice, that only faltered once:
II have known him walk with-I
have known him walk with Tiny
Tim upon his shoulder, fast indeed"
'And so have l." exclaimed an
other. So had all.
''But he was very light to carry"
she resumed, intent upon her work,
"and his father loved him so, that
it was no trouble: no trouble. And
there is your father at the door!"
Bob was very cheerful with them,
and he spoke pleasantly to all the
family. He looked at the work upon
the table, and praised the industry
and speed of Mrs. Cratchit and the
girls. They would be done long be-
fore Sunday, he said.
'Sundayi You went today, then,
RobertY" said his wife.
eyes, my DEAR" returned Bob. 81
azna1at you could have gone. It would
have done you good 10 see how
green d place II Is. But you'll see
1t often. ] promised him that I
would walk there on a Sunday. My
little, little child" cried Bob. "My
little child"
He broke down all at once. He
couldn't help it.
They drew about the fire, and
talked; the girls and mother work.
ing still. Bob told them of the ex-
traordinary kindness of Mr..
Scrooge's nephew.
"Tm sure he's a good soul!" said
Mrs. Cratchit.
"You would be surer of it, my
dear" returned Bob, "if you saw
and spoke to him. shouldn't be
at all surprised-mark what say
If he got Peter better situation"
"And them" cried one of the girls,
Peter will be keeping company
with someone"
Get along with you'll" retorted Pc
ter, grinning.
It's just as likely as not" said
Bob, "one OF these days; though
there's plenty of time for that, INV
dear. But however and whenever
we part from one another, am
sure we shall none of us forget
poor Tiny Tim-shall WEI"
Never, father!" cried they all.
"And know" said Bob, 81 know
my dears, that when we recollect
how patient and how mild he was:
although he was little, little child:
we shall not quarrel easily among
ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim
in doing it."
mo, never, fatherl"
II am very happy" said little
Bob, II am very happyl'
Mrs. Cratchit kissed him, his
daughters kissed him, the two young
Cratchits kissed him, and Peter and
himself shook hands. Spirit of Tiny
Tim, thy childish essence was from
God!
Spectre" said Scrooge, some
thing informs me that our parting
moment is at hand / know IT, but
know not how Tell me what
man that was whom we saw ly-
ing dead?"
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To
Come conveyed him to a church
yard.
Before draw nearer to that
stone to which you point" said
Scrooge, answer me one question.
Are these the shadows of the things
that Will be, or are they shadows of
things that May be, only?"
Still the Ghost pointed downward
to the grave by which it stood.
Scrooge crept towards it, trem-
bling as he went and following the
finger, read upon the stone of the