Evening Star Newspaper, December 16, 1893, Page 24

‘so, with his face all dam- tions; but cvery man among them in:mmed ® Christmas tune or had a Christmas thought, or spoxe below nis breath to his companion of some bygone Caristmas day, with homeward hopes It¢s I, Your Uncle Scrooge. ‘Was @ great surprise to Scrooge while engaged to hear a hearty laugh. It gteater surprise to Scrooge to it as his own nephew's. ani to in a bright, dry, gleaming room, the Spirit standing smiling by his side looking at that same nephew. is a fair, even-handed, nobl2 adjustment that while there ts infection in sorrow, there is nothing in the irresistibly contagious as laughter ‘When "3 nephew Scrooge’ by ed as heartily as he. And assembled friends, being not a bit be- roared out lustily. ‘He said that Christmas was a humbug, I live!” cried Scrooge’s nephew. “He be- Heved it, too!” shame for him,Fred!"said Scrooge’s indignan: Bless a those women! never do anything by halves. They are ways in earnest. ith very pretty—exceedingly pretty; -looking, ital surprised. capi little mouth that seemed made to be kissed—as no doubt it was—all kinds good little dots about her chin, that ited into one another when she laughed, and the sunniest pair of eyes you ever saw in any little creature’s head. Altogether, she was what you would have called pro- voking. you know; but satisfactory, too. O, Se, Satisfactory! “He's a comical old fellow,” said Scrooge's nephew, “that’s the truth; and not so pieas- ant as he might be. However, his offenses k nothing to say against him. Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself, always! Here he takes it into his head to dislike us, and he won't come and dine with us. What's the Saeer He don’t lose much of a din- rr “Indeed, I think he loses a very good din- ner,” interrupted Scrooge’s niece. Every- body else said the same and they must be allowed to have been competent judges, be- eause they had just had dinner, and, with the dessert upon the table, were clustered round the fire by lamplight. “Well, I am giad to hear it,”’sald "s Rephew, “because I haven't any great faith in these young housekeepers. What do you say, Topper?’ Topper had clearly got his eye upon one or "3 niece's sisters, for he answered that a bachelor was a wretched outcast, who had no right to express an opinion on the subject. Whereat Scrooge’s niece’s sis- ter—the plump one with the lace tucker, not the one with the roses—blushed. After tea they had some music. For they were a musical family, and knew what they were about, when they sung a glee or catch, I can assure you; especially Topper, who could growl away in the bass like a good one, and never swell the large veins = his forehead, or get red in the face over But they didn’t devote the whole evening to music. After a while they played at forfeits; for it is good to be children some- times, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child him- self. There was first a game at blindman’s buff. Of course there was. And I no more believe Topper was really blind than I be- lieve he had eyes in his boots. The way ne went after that plump sister in the lace tucker was an-outrage on the credulity of human nature. Knocking down the fire- irons, tumbling over the chairs, bumping up against the piano, smothering himself amongst the curtains; wherever she went, there went he! He always knew wher? the plump sister was. He wouldn’t catch anybody else. It you had fallen up against him (as some of them did) on purpose, he would have made a feint of endeavoring to seize you, which would have been an af- fromt to your understanding, and would instantly have sidled off in the direction of the plump sister. “Here is a new game,” said Scrooge.“ One half-hour, Spirit, only one! It wa: game called Yes and No, where 's nephew had to think of some- thing, and the rest must find out what; he only answering to their questions yes or no, as the case was. The brisk fire of question- ing to which he was exposed elicited from him that he was thinking of an animal, a live animal, rather a disagreeable animal, @ savage animal, an animal that growled and grunted sometimes, and talked some- times, and lived in London, and walked about the streets, and wasn’t made a show of, and wasn't led by anybody, and didn’t live in a menagerte, and was never killed in a market, and was not a horse, or an ass, or a cow, or a bull, or a tiger, or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or a bear. At every fresh question that was put to him this nephew burst into a fresh roar of laughter, and was so inexpressibly tickled that he was obliged to get up off the sofa and stamp. At last the plump sister, falling into a similar state, cried ou’ I know what it is, “I have found it out! Fred! I know what it is! “What is it?" cried Fred. “It is your Uncle Scro-o-0-0-oge!”* Which it certainly was. Unele Scrooge had imperceptibly become so gay and light of heart that he would have pledged the unconscious company in return, and thanked them in an inaudible speech, if the Ghost had given him time. But the whole scene passed off in the breath of the last word spoken by his neph- ew; and he and the Spirit were again upon their travels. Much they saw, and far they went, and many homes they visited, but always with a happy end. The Spirit stood beside sick beds, and they were cheerful; on foreign lands, and they were close at home; by struggling men, and they were patient in their greater hope; by poverty, and it was rich. In alms house, hospital and jail, in misery’s every refuge, where vain man in his little brief authority had not made fast the door, and barred the Spirit out, he left his blessing, and taught Scrooge his pre- cepts. It was a long night, if it were only a night; but Scrooge had his doubts of this, because the Christmas holidays appeared to be condensed into the space of time they passed together. It was strange, too, that while Scrooge remained unaltered in his outward form, the Ghost grew older, clearly older. Scrooge had observed this change, but never spoke of it, until they left a chil- dren's twelfth night party, when, looking at the Spirit as they stood together in an open place, he noticed that its hair was gray. “Are spirits’ lives so short?” asked 2. “My life upon this globe is very brief,” replied the Ghost. “It ends tonight.” “Tonight!” cried Scrooge. “Tonight, at midnight. Hark! The time is drawing near.” ‘The chimes were ringing the three-quart- ers past eleven at that moment. The bell struck twelve. Scrooge looked about him for the Ghost, end saw it not. As the last stroke ceased to vibrate, he remembered the prediction of old Jacob Marley, and lifting up his eyes, beheld a solemn phantom, draped and hood- coming like a mist along the ground to- ward him. STAVE Iv. THE LAST OF THE SPIRITS. The phantom slowly, gravely, silently ap- proached. When it came near him, Scrooge bent down upon his knec; for in the very air through which this spirit moved it seem- ed to scatter gloom and mystery. It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealede its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible, save one out- stretched hand. He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious | Presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more, for the Spirit neither of the Ghost of said Scrooge. t of the Future!” he exclaimed, “I fear you more than any specter [ have | seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another | mau from what 1 was, 1 am prepared to| scar-ed with hard weather, as the| ful be—struck THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1893-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. and do it with a thank- bear you company, heart. Will you not speak to me It gave him no reply. “Lead on!" said Scrooge,—“‘lead on! The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit!" The phantom moved away as it had come toward him. Scrooge followed in the shadow of its dress, which bore him up, he thought, ;|and carried him along. ‘They scarcely seemed to enter the city; for the city rather seemed to spring up about them, and encompass them of its own act. But there they were in the heart of it; on ‘Change, amongst the merchants, who hurried up and down, and chinked the money in their pockets, and conversed in groups, and looked at their watches, and trifled thoughtfully with their great gold seals, and so forth, as Scrooge had seen py ee besid little knot of e it je one little knot o! business men. Observing that the hand was pointed to them, Scrooge advanced to listen to their talk. “No,” said a great fat man with a mon- strous chin, “I don’t know much about it either way. I only know he’s dead.” “When did he die?” inquired another. “Last night, I believe.” “Why, what was the matter with him?” asked a third, taking a vast quantity of snuff out of a very large snuff-box. “I thought he’d never die.” “God knows,” said the first with a yawn. “What has he done with his money?” asked a red-faced gentleman with a pen- dulous excrescence on the end of his nose, that shock like the gills of a turkey cock. “I haven't heard,” said the man with a large chin, yawning again. “Left it to his company, perhaps. He hasn't left it to me. That's all I know.” This pleasantry was received with a gen- eral laugh. Scrooge was at first inclined to be sur- prised that the Spirit should attach im- portance to conversation apparently so triv- jal, but feeling assured that they have some hidden purpose he set himself to consider what it was likely to be. They could scarcely be supposed to have any bearing on the death of Jacob, his old partner, for that was past, and this Ghost’s province was the future. He looked about in that very place for bis own image, but another man stood in his accustomed corner, and though the clock pointed to Kis usual time of day for being there he saw no likeness of himself among the multitudes that poured in through the porch. It gave him little sur- prise, however, for he had been revolving in his mind a change of life and thought and hoped he saw his new-born resolutions carried out in this. ‘They left the busy scene and went into an obscure part of the town, where Scrooge had never penetrated before, although he recognized its situation and its bad repute. The ways were foul and narrow; the shops and houses wretched; the people half-naked, drunken, slipshod, ugly, and the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth and misery. Far in this den of infamous resort there was a low-browed, beetling shop, below a penthouse roof, where tron, old rags, bot- tles, bones and greasy offal, were bought. Upon the floor within were piled up heaps of rusty keys, nails, chains, hinges, files, scales, weights and refuse iron of all kinds. Sitting in among the wares he dealt in, by a charcoal stove, made of old bricks, was a gray-haired rascal. nearly seventy years of age, who smoked his pipe in all the luxury of calm retirement. Scrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of this man, just as a woman with a heavy bundle slunk into the shop. But she had scarely entered when another woman, similarly laden, came in too, and she was closely followed by a man tn faded black. After a short period of blank aston- ishment, in which the old man with the pipe had joined them, they all three burst into a laugh. “Let the charwoman alone to be the first!” cried she who had entered first. “Let the laundress alone to be the second, and let the undertaker’s man alone to be the third. Look here. old Joe, here’s a chance! If we haven't all three met here without meaning it “Yon conldn’t have met in a_ better place,”” said old Joe, removing his pipe from his mouth. “Come into the parlor. You were made free of it long ago. you know, and the other two ain't strangers. Come Into the parlor. Come into the varlor!”" The parlor was a space behind a screen of rags. The old man raked the fire to- gether with an old stairrod and having trimmed his smoky lamp (for it was night) with the stem of his pipe put it in his mouth again. While he did this the woman who had aiready spoken threw her bundle on the floor and sat down in a flaunting manner on a stool. crossing her elbows on her knees and looking with a bold defiance at the other two. “What odds then! What odds, Mrs. Dil- ber?” said the woman. “Every person has a right to teke care of themselves. Hi always did! Who's the worse for the loss of a ~~ things like these? Not a dead ¢ oad Dpose. No. indeed.” said Mrs. Dilber. laughing. “If he wanted to keep 'em after he was dead.” pursued the woman. “whv wasn’t he natural in his lifetime? If he had heen he'd have had somebodv to look after him when he was struck with death, instead of wine = out his last there, alone by “It's the truest word that ever was spoke.” said Mrs. Dilber. “It's a judgment on_him. “I wish it was a little heavier judgment,” replied the woman, “and it should have been, you may depend upon it, if I could have laid my hands on anything else. Open the bundle, old Joe, and let me know the value of it. Speak out plain. I'm “not afraid to be the first nor afraid for them to see it.” Joe went down on his knees for the greater convenience of opening it, and hav- ing unfastened a great many knots, dragged out a large heavy roll of some dark stuff. “What do you call this?” said Joe. “Bed curtains!” “Ah!” returned the woman, laughing and leaning forward on her crossed arms. “Bed — Don’t drop that oil upon the kets, now.” ‘His blankets?” asked Joe. “Whose else’s do you think?” replied the woman. “He isn’t likely to take cold with- out ‘em, I dare say. Ah! You may look through that shirt till your eyes ache, but you won't find a hole in it, nor a thread- bare place. It’s best he had, and a fine one, too. They’d have wasted it if it hadn't been for me.” Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror. “Spirit,” said Scrooge, shuddering from head to foot, “I see, I see. The case of this unhappy man might be my own. My life tends that way now. Merciful heaven, what is this?” He recoiled in terror, for the scene had changed, and now he almost touched a bare, uncurtained bed. A pale light, rising in the outer air, fell straight upon the bed, and on it, plundered and bereft, unwatched, unwept, uncared for, was the body of this man. “Spirit,” he said, “this is a fearful place. In leaving it I shall not leave its lesson, trust me. Let us go! Let me see some tenderness connected with a death, or that dark chamber, Spirit, which we left just now, will be forever present to me.” The Ghost conducted him through several streets familiar to his feet, and as they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to find himself, but nowhere was he to be sden. They entered poor Bob Crachit's house, the dwelling he had visited before, and found the mother and the children seated round the fire. Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy little Crat- chits were as still as statues in one corner, and sat looking up at Peter, who had a beok before him. The mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing. But surely they were very quiet. ““And he took a child and set him in the midst of them.’ ” Where had Scrooge heard those words. He had not dreamed them. The boy must have read them out, as he and the Spirit crossed the threshhold. Why did he not go on? The mother laid her work upon the table and put her hand up to her face. “The color hurts my eyes,” she said. The color. Ah, poor Tiny Tim! “They're better now, again,” said Crat- chit’s wife. “It makes them weak by can- dle light, and I 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, shut- ting up his book. “But I think he has walk- ed a littie slower than he used these few last evenings, mother.” ‘They were very quiet again. At last she Said, and in a steady, cheerful voice, that only faltered once: “I have known him walk with—I have known him walk with Tiny Tim upon his shoulder very fast indeed.” “And so have I,” cried Peter. “Often.” “And so have I," exclaimed another. So had all. “But he was very light to carry,” she re- sumed, intent upon her work, “and his fath- er loved him so, that it was no trouble; no trouble. And there is your father at the door!” She hurried out to meet him; and little Bob in his comforter—ne had need of it, poor fellow—came in. His tea was ready for him on the hob, and they all tried who should help him to it most. Then the two young Cratchits got upon his knees and laid, each child, a little cheek against his fas s if they said, “Don’t mind it, fath- er.” “Don’t be grieved.” Bob was: very cheerful with them, and spoke pleasantly to all the family. He look- ed at the work upon the table, and praised the industry and speed of Mrs. Cratchit and the girls. They would be done long before Sunda; y. “Sunday! You went today, then, Robert?” said his wife. “Yes, my dear,” returned Bob. “I wish you could have gone. It would have done you good to see how green a place it ts. Bat you'll see it often. 1 promised him that I would walk there on Sunday. My little, little child,” cried Bob, “my little child!’ He broke down all at once. He couldn't help it. If he could have helped it, he and his child would have been farther apart per- haps than they were. pe He left the room and went upstairs into the room above, which was lighted cheer- fully, and hung with Christmas. There was a chair set close beside the child, and thera were signs of some one having been there lately. Poor Bob sat down in it, and when he had thought a little and composed himeelf, he kissed the little face. He was recon- ciled to what had happened, and went down again quite happy. ‘They drew about the fire, and talked; the girls and mother working still. Bob told them of the extraordinary kindness of Mr. Scrooge’s nephew, whom he had s¢arcely seen but once, and who, meeting him in the street that day and seeing that he look: ed a little—“just a little down, you know,” said Bob, inquired what had happened to’ distress him. “On which,” said Hob, “for he is the pleasantest-spoken gentleman you ever heard, I told him. ‘I am heartily sorty for it, Mr. Cratchit,’ he said, ‘and heartily sorry for your good wife.’ By the by, how he ever knew that I don’t know.’ “Knew what, my dear?” = abc that you were a good wife,” replied sob. “Everybody knows that!” said Peter. ‘Very well observed, my boy!” cried Bob. ‘I hope they do. ‘Heartily sorry,’ he said, ‘for your good wife. if I can be of service to you in any way,’ he said, giving me his card, ‘that's where I live. Pray come to me.’ Now, it wasn’t,” cried Bob, “for the sake of anything he might be able to do for us, so much as for his kind way, that this was quite delightful. It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with ‘ I’m sure he’s a good soul!” said Cratchit. “ “You would be sure of it, my dear,” re- turned Bob, “if you saw and spoke to him. I shouldn't be at all surprised—mark what I say—if he got Peter a better situation.” “Only hear that, Peter,” said Mrs, Cratchit. “And then,” cried one of the girls, “Peter will be keeping company with some one, and setting up for himself.” —— along with you,” retorted Peter,grin. nin} s. Us just as likely as not,” said Bob, “one of these days; though there’s plenty of thne for that, my dear. But, however and whenever we part from one another, I'am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny ‘Tim—shall we?—or this first parting that there was among us?” “Never, father!” cried they all. “And I know,” said Bob, “I know, my dears, that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was—although he was a litule, little child—we shall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing 1 No, never, father!” they all cried . am very happy,” said little Bob, “I am very happy!” . Mrs. Cratchit kissed him, his daughters kissed him, the two young Cratchits kissed him and Peter and himself shook hands. Spirit of Tiny Tim, the childish essence was from God! “Specter,” said Scrooge, “something in- forms me that your parting moment is at hand. I know it, but I know not how. Tell ‘(man that was whom we saw lylng cead The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come con- veyed him, before—though at a different time, he thought; indeed, there seemed no order in these latter visions, save that they were in the future—into the resorts of bus- iness men, but showed him not himself. Indeed, the Spirit did not stay for anything but went straight on, as to the end jus now desired, until besought by Scrooge to u Hse a moment. “This court,” said Scrooge, “through which we hurry now, is where my place of occupation is, and has been for a length of time. I see tae house. Let me behold what said Scrooge, “I dcn’t know how long I have been among the Spirits. I don’t know anything. I'm quite a baby. Never mind. I don’t care. I’d rather be a baby. Hallo! Whoop! Hallo here: He was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard. Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell. Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clang, clash! Oh, gloricus, glorious! Running to the windcw, he opened it, and put out his head. No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring cold; cold, piping for the bicod to dance to; golden sunlight; heavenly sky; swee* fresh air; merry bells. ee epee! glorious! “What's today?” cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered ir to look about him. “Eh?” returned the boy, with all his might of wonder. “What's today, my fine fellow?” said roCge. “Today !"’ replied the boy. “Why, Christ- ” “It’s Christmas day!” sald Scrooge to himself. “I haven't missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can. Of course they can. Hallo, my fine fellow!” “Hallo!” returned the boy. “Do you know the poulterer's in the next street but one, at the corner?’Scrooge in- quired. “I should hope I did,” replied the lad. “An intelligent boy!’ said Scrooge. “A remarkable boy! Do you know whether they’ve sold the prize turkey that was hanging up there?—not the little prize tur- key; the big one?” “What, the one as big as me?” returned the boy. “What a delightful boy!” said Scrooge. ce Pleasure to talk to him. Yes, my uci “It’s hanging there now,” replied the boy. “Is it?” said Scrooge. “Go and buy it.” “Walk-er!”’ exclaimed the boy. “No, no,” said Scrooge, “I am in earnest. Go and buy it, and tell ‘em to bring it here, ; that I may give them the directions where to take it. Come back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than five minutes, and I'll give ees half a crown!” The boy was off like a shot. “Ill send it to Bob Cratchit’s,” whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands, and splitting with a laugh. “He shan’t know who sends it. It's twice the size of Tiny Tim. Joe Miller never made such a joke as sending it to Bob's wilt be!’ The was not a steady one; but write it he did, somehow, and went down stairs to open the street door, ready for the coming of the sega al man. As he stood there, waiting is arrival, the knocker caught his eye. “I shall love it as long as I live!” cried » patting it with his hand. “I Searcely ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it has in its face! It's a wonderful knocker!—Here’s the turkey. Hallo! Whoop! How are you! Merry Christmas!” It was a turkey! He could never have stood upon his legs, that bird. He would have shapped ‘em short off in a minute, like sticks of sealing wax. “Why, it’s impossible to carry that to Camden Town,” said Scrooge. “You must have a cab." The chuckle with which he said this, and the chuckle with which he paid for the tur- key and the chuckle with which he paid for the cab and the chuckle with which he re- compensed the boy, were only to be exceed- ed by the chuckle with which he sat down breathless in his chair again, and chuckled till he cried. Shaving was not an easy task, for his hand continued to shake very much; and shaving requires attention, even when you don’t dance while you are at it. He dressed himself “all in his best,” and at last got into the streets. The people were by this time pouring forth, as he had seen them with the Ghost of Christmas Pres- ent; and walking with his hands behind him Scrooge regarded every one with a de- lghtful smile. He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good- humored fellows said, “Good morning, sir. A merry Christmas to you!’ And®* Scrooge said often afterward, that of all blithe sounds he had ever heard those were the blithest in his ears. i I shall be in days to come.” The Sgirit stopped; the hand was pointed else where, “The house is yonder,” Scrooge exclaim- ed. “Why do you point away?” The inexorable finger underwent no change. Scrooge hastened to the window of his of- fice and looked In. It was an office still, but not his. The furniture was not the same and the figure in the chair was not himself. The phantom pointed as before. He joined it once again and, wondering Why and whither he had gone, accompanied it until they reached an iron gate. He baused to look round before entering. A chureh yard. Here, then, the wretched man, whose name he had now to learn, lay underneath the ground. It was a worthy place. Walled in by houses; overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetation’s death, not life; choked up with too much burying; fat with repleted appetite. A worthy place! among the graves and The Spirit stood pointed down to one. He advan it, trembling. The phantom van on ass it had been, but he dreaded that he saw new menacing in its solemn shape, “Before I draw nearer to that tone to which you point,” sald Scrooge, “answer Are these the shadows of me one question, Will be, or are they the the things that shadows of the things that May be, only?” Still the Ghost pointed down to the graye by, which It stood. mite “Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the course be He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted the children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to/ the windo' and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk—that anything— could give him so much happiness. In the afte-noon he turned his steps toward his nephew’s house. He passed the door a dozen times before he had the courage to go up and knock. But he made a dash, and did it. “Is your master at home, my dear?” said Scrooge to the girl. “Nice girl! Very.” ‘Yes, sir.” ‘Where is he, my love?” said Scrooge. “He's in the dining room, sir, along with mistress. I'll show you upstairs, if you please.’ “Thank’ee. He knows me,” said Scrooge, with his hand already on the dining room lock. “I'll go in here, my dear.” He turned it gently, and sidled his face in, round the door, They were looking at for these young housekeepers are ervous on such points, and like to that everything is right. ‘Fred! said Scrooge. ‘Why bless my soul!” cried Fred, “who's that?” “It's I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred?” Let him in. It’s a mercy he didn’t shake his arm off. He at home in five min- utes. Nothing could be heartier. His niece departed from the ends will chan; 5 is thus with what you show me!" mal The Spirit was immovable as ever. Scrooge crept toward it, trembling as he went, and following the finger read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, Ebenezer Scrooge. “Am I that man who lay upon . Bote upon his knees, eres 4 e finger pointed from the him, and back again. are ee “No, Spirit! O, no, no!’ The finger still was there. “ “Spirit!” he cried, tightly clutching at his robe, “hear me! I am not the man I wi I will not be the man I must have been for this intercourse. Why show me I am past all hope?” For the first time shake. it this it the hand appeared to “Good Spirit,” he pursued, as down upon the ground he fell before it, “your nature intercedes for me and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me by an altered life e The kind hand trembled. “I will honor Christmas In my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past, the present and the future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the Deb eh on this stone!” In is agony, he caught the spectral hand. It sought to free itself, but he was strong in his entreaty and detained it. The Spirit, stronger yet, repulsed him. Holding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate reversed, he saw an altera- tion in the Phantom's hood and dress. It shrunk, collapsed and dwirdled down into a bedpost. STAVE Vv. THE END OF IT. Yes! and the bedpost was his own, The bed was his own, the room was his own. Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in! “I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future!” Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed. “The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Old Jacob Marley! Heaven and the Christmas Time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Jacob; ‘cn my knees!” He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call, He had been scbbing violently in his conflict with the Spirit, and his face was wet with tears. “They are not torn down,” cried Scrooge, folding one of his bed-curtains in his arm: “they are not torn down, rings and all, They are here—I am here—the shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled. They will be. I know they will His hands were busy with his garmen: all this time; turning them inside out, putting them on upside down, tearing them, mislayirg them, making them parties to every kind of extravagance. “I don’t know what to do!” cried Scroog laughing and crying in the same breat and making a perfect Laocoon of himself with his stockings. “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, 1 am as merry as a school boy. 1 am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!” He had frisked into the sitting room and Was row standing there, perfectly winded. “There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!” cried Scrooge, starting off again, and going round the fire place. “There's the door by which the Ghost of Jacob Marley entered! There's the corner where the Ghost of Christmas Present sat! There's the wirdow where I saw the wandering Spirits! It’s all right, "s all true, it all happened. Ha, ha, ha! Really, for a man who had been out of practice’ for so many years, it was a splen- did laugh, a most illustricus laugh. The =, of a long, long line of brilliant j laughs Vs don't know what day of the month it looked just the same. So did Topper when he came, So did the plump sister when she came. So did every one when they came. Wonderful party, wonderful games, won- derful unanimity, won-der-ful happiness! But he was early at the office next morn- nd in which he wrote the address | ~ CHRISTMAS AND THE STORES. Where to Buy Presents—A Guide to Shoppers. The stores and store windows are un- usually attractive just now. The array of holiday goods displayed is rich and varied. To help those who have purchases to make The Star publishes from day to day some | suggestions as to where shoppers will be likely to find just what they want. When you can buy a 10U-Ib.keg of best steel nails for $1.85 it is a sign that the seller ap- preciates what an attraction low prices have for buyers. This is the offer that is made by Libbey, Bittinger & Miller, dealers in lumber, mill work and builders’ hardware at 6th street and New York avenue. They make the above offer to show that their hardware, as well as lumber, is cheap. The old Spanish proverb that “A kiss without a mustache is like an egg without salt’ might warrant the statement that mince pie without brandy is a tasteless thing. ‘o-Kalon brandy, 75 cents a bottle, 614 14th street. An easy conscience and easy feet are great inducements to comfort. R. B. Grover & Co. claim that they can furnish both— the easy shoes for you and the easy con- science for themselves in the satisfaction | of having pleased you. Emerson shoes, 1103 Pennsylvania avenue. When you select cloth for a suit it is a good thing to have plenty of light upon the subject. Keen, the tailor, 1312 F street, says that he is not afraid to turn the light on his goods, and his show room is a cheery place. Big gilt signs in front indicate the place. To be owin’ the tailor is not very pleas- ant, but “Owen, the Tailor,” of 425 11th street, will speak for himself as to terms. He is at present advertising dress suits, mede in the best manner, and urges the economy of getting a good one. Nonpareil coal is said to be good fuel. G. L. Sheriff of 328 Pennsylvania avenue is ad- vertising it for family use. He says it is kept under cover, and will be delivered promptly. He's been fifteen years at it, he says—C. Fen Keyes of 916 F street—and he will un- dertake to cure damp walls and leaky roofs. He is also the agent for the Prince Metal- lic Paint Co, Basement of B. H. Warner Co. If your correspondence is so heavy as to be a worry to you, try a phonograph as a megns of relief. You talk into the mouth- piece, and that’s the end of your labor. The Columbia Phonograph Co. of 627 E street will furnish further particulars. It’s a burning question this time of year— that of fuel—and Arthur B. Smith, who has several coal yards, advertises to give satis- factory answers to three branches of the question—-what kind do you want, when do you want it, and where? Cash is economy in buying glass, says Hodgkin, the glass expert, and he makes the proposition to furnish estimates free and indicate thereby that a saving of 20 to 25 per cent can be made in dealing with him on a cash basis. Economy in coal buying is described by Vv. Baldwin af ame! a a tae Me 4 tting clean, dry coal, whic! n kepi under cover, and that’s how he handles his coal, He has yards in several parts of the city. Printed circulars and letters resembling typewritten work are furnished by Byron 8S. Adams, the printer, for those who conduct business correspondence. His process is patented, but is not expensive on that ac- count. Ten volumes of Chambers’ Encyclopedia for $20 is the offer made by John C. Parker, 617 and 619 7th street, as a Christmas in- ducement. They are handsomely bound in cloth, : A stationery store contains many useful and ornamental things suitable for Chri: mas presents, and Easton & Rupp of 4 11th street call attention to a large variety of the same. Coal at $4.50 per ton for the range, latrobe and self-feeder is the offer made by ‘Thomas B. Martin, whose telephone is 1,768. He sells Arona grate coal at $5. Forty-three years in the coal business is the record of J. Maury Dove, and he says that In that time he has learned to distin- guish the most economical! kinds of coal, of which he will advise his customers upon application. One's own handiwork often enhances the value of a Christmas present to the receiver thereof. To those who wish the material | will do well by visiting this establishment, |terests of the District. It was originally eee eee eee Ee Under such condit deal with the cit is desired at prices as cheap as cash. niture of every description, carpets, dra- peries stoves are among the articles to be found in this large establishment. What person is there that will go about in society with bad teeth to spoil hisor her when a new set may be purchased That is all the U. S, Dental Associa- tion is charging for sets of teeth similar to those which took the first prize at the world’s fair. Extracting, cleaning and fill- ing proportionately low. If there is a solitary thing needed to make the house more cheerful and comfort- able, Grogan’s, 819, 821 and $23 7th street, is the place to get it, where your promise is as acceptable as your cash. There you do not even sign a note, but make regular pay- ments when you get your money, whether it be each week or each month. Bed room furniture is offered for $22.50 a set, while there are all grades of furinture. A seven- piece parlor suite, upholstered in plush or haircloth,1s offered as a leader at $22.50,while extension tables, hair mattresses, stoves and all other household goods are sold at corres- pondingly low prices. No interest charged. A neat-fitting shoe or slipper is something to be desired by every woman who expects to participate in holiday festivities, and the Warren Shoe House is just the place to get suited. This popular shoe house, conducted by Mr. George W. Rich, has received anoth- er large lot of sample goods for the holidays. There is no person in the world who is not fond of music of some kind, whether made on a cheap instrument or on one of the finest upright pianos, and, therefore, a musical instrument is a suitable present | for almost any one. At the old-established | place of John F. Ellis & Co., No. 987 Penn- | Sylvania avenue, panic prices prevail on all | kinds of instruments and sheet music. Per- sons who are puzzled to know what to buy where ure to be found the celebrated Stew- art banjos, Glier violins, mandolins, guitars, music boxes and instruments of all sorts. Next week the store will remain open as late as § o'clock, and until 10 o'clock during the following week. The National Deposit Savings and Company deservedly occupies a prominent Place among the financial institutions of the District. It is strictly a locel concern and it is actively identified with the best in- chartered by special act of Congress in January, 1867, and has steadily grown in usefulzess from that day to this. It has a paid in capital of $1,000,000. Its business includes the safe keeping of money and valuables of all kinds, real estate transac- to embroider art work, or who would like to buy “made-u; things wilch look iixe home-made, Carhart & Leidy of 928 7th street and 706 K street hold out some ‘pe- cial inducements in their advertisements. Everything relating to horses, ca¥riages and the livery business in general is unter- stood by Downey of L street between 16th and 17th streets. He gives his personal at- tention to the business and jends his judg- ment to his patrons in the buying of horses. W. B. Moses & Sons, who deal exclusively in retail furniture, carpets, upholstery, drapery and wall papers, offer some sterling inducements for purchasers of useful holi- day presents for the house. It’s a long list, printed in the advertising columns of The Star, and the figures are stated, so that every housekeeper who reads can see for herself what is offered. An inspection of the goods is expected to emphasize the bar- gain character of the offer. The firm sug- gests that purchases be made early so that carpets can be laid before Christmas. The big cloisonee vase continues to be a source of attraction at Kimon Nicolaides’ Saratoga Japanese Emporium, 1205 F street. There are lots of other things that are worth seeing in the immense stocks of Jap- anese bric-a-brac, souvenirs, etc., that are stored in the establishment and the proprie- ing. Oh, he was early there. If he could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late! That was the thing he had set his heart upon. And he did it; yes, he did! The clock struck 9. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob. He was full eighteen minutes and a half behind his time. Scrooge sat with his door wide open, that he might see him come in. His hat was off before he opened the door; his comforter, too. He was on his stool in a jiffy, driving away with his pen, as if he were trying to overtake 9 o'clock. “Hallo!” growled Scrooge, in his accus- tomed voice, as near as he could feign it. “What do you mean by coming here at this tile of day?” “T am very sorry, sir,” said Bob. “I am behind my time.” “You are!” repeated Scrooge. “Yes, I think vou are. Step this way, sir, if you please.” “It's only once a year, sir,” pleaded Bob. “Tt shall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.” “Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,” said Scrooge, “I am not going to stand this sort of thing any longer. “And therefore.” he continued, leaving from his stool and giving Bob a dig in the waistcoat—“and. therefore, I am about to raise your salary!” Bob trembled, and got a little nearer to the ruler. He had a momentary idea of knocking Scrooge down with it, holding him, and calling to the people in the court for help and a straight-waistccat. “A merry Christmas, Bob!" said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mis- taken, as he clapped him on the back. “A merrier Christmas, Bob. my good fel- Jow than T have etven you for many a year! T'll raise your salary, and endeavor to as- sist your strugeling family. and we will A@iscuss your affairs this very afternoon Make up the fires and buy another ena) seuttle before you dot another 1, Bob Cratehit!” Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master and as good a man as the good old city knew. or anv other good old city, town or borough in the good old world. Some veople laughed to see the alteration in him. but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe for good at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset: and. knowing that such as these would he blind anyway, he thoueht it auite as well that thev shovld wrinkle up their eyes in grins as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed, and that was quite enough or him. He had no further intercourse with spir- its. but lived upon the total abstinence principle ever afterward: and it was always said of him that he knew how to keer Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledve. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so,as Tiny Tim ob- served, God bless us, every one! + eee Grip the Cause. It is stated by the family and friends of Winfield S. Bryan, who recently committed | Suicide at the insane asylum,that his insan- ity was caused by a severe attack of grip and he never had any trouble at home. Suspension of Pittsburk Bankers. The private banking firm of R. Patrick & Son, doing business on 5th avenue near tor is fond of seeing the pretty and artistic articles admired by the public. The beauty of the products of Japanese art makes such articles appropriate for Christmas presents. A fine line can be found at the “Little Japan,” 606 13th street, one door above F street. Genuine Japanese vases can be found here from 25 cents and up, while teapots, cups and saucers are list- ed for 15 cents and up. The beauty of the collection of precious stones in a great variety of artistic setting which is seen at Jacobs Bros.’,1229 insyl- vania avenue, is well worthy of examina- tion by all those who are in search of ap- Provriate presents. These articles are not only ornamental, but they are beautiful and the prices have a wide range, The stock of solid silver and plated goods which is found in the establishment of the Kann & Sons Manufacturing Co., 531 7th street, has not only variety as a merit, but reasonable prices. There is also a fine line of novelties for euchre parties. Replating and repairing is made a specialty by this firm, whose factory is in Baltimore. Craig & Harding are giving holiday hints when they announce to the public the fact that they have a carload of chamber suites bought below regular prices to be sold ridiculously low. No bed room is complete without such a suite to add to its attract- iveness, and with these remarkably low prices there is no excuse to offer for, the conspicuous absence of svch an outfit. The firm has im stock hand-polished oak, cheval glass and French plate beveled mir- rors and an entire set costs $25. Then there are in stock many handsome goods suitable for presents in the shape of chiffonters, shaving stands, china closets, card tables, writing desks and fancy rockers. A phctograph makes a dainty present for the holidays, and it is something that is always acceptable to friends. Rice's, 1217-19-25 Peansylvania avenue, is the place to get them. He has a new idea in the “Mantelk something of his own inven- tion, Which is not to be found elsewhere. They ere smaller anc cheaper than the regular cabinets an! have the effect of steel engravings. Candies are always in demand during the holiday season, but the child who gets none but the purest of the sweets is the one who will not need the services of the family doctor after the holidays are over. The popularity of the 35 and 60-cent mixtures found at the stores of Sheetz, the candy manufacturer, 10th and F and 419 7th street, speaks for them and their success is assured. It is not only at what is known as the down-town stores that Christmas goods are to be had at low figures, for Raff's Enter- prise is located at No. 1241 llth street southeast, accessible to the residents of Southeast Washingion and the county and only three squares from the cable cars. The immense windows of this establishment contain goods which show for themselves, while the stock in the store is surprisingly large and attractive. Coats from the large special and peremptory sale of Field, Chap- man & Fenner, New York, are offered to the public at such bargains as will induce shoppers to buy. Children’s gretchens are sold as low as 9 cents, and special bar- gains in ladies’ coats are also offered. During these times there are hundreds of persons out of employment, and some are penniless, with bright prospecis of the fu- ture when they will be able to settle any reasonable indebtedness. And yet they are not desirous of having a dull season during the Christmas holidays. Such is not nec- Wood street, Pittsburg, suspended business shortly after noon yesterday on account of their inability to realize on their assets, essary, for House & Herrmann, 917, 919, 921 and 923 7th street and 6%6 Massachusetts avenue, are doing an equitable credit sys- tem which lays only one restriction—that tions and the administration and execution of trusts of all descriptions. Hugo Worch & Co. are offering great in- ducements to buyers of pianos. They so- licit the critical examination of the musical profession and the public of their famous Sohmer piano, which they claim is the finest ever offered both as to finish and quality of tone. They make a specialty of renting, moving and shipping pianos. Their place of business is 925 7th street northwest. It is hard to convince people that a new piano has any merits. You will only have to hear the “Krakaur,” examine its con- struction and be convinced that it ranks with the best. May be seen at Kuhn’s Tem- ple of Music, 1209 G street northwest. Pfeiffer & Conliff, 417 11th street north- west, have anticipated the needs of the pub- lic and are distributing gratis a little book entitled “Points to Piano Buyers.” It is a useful little pamphlet and contains a fund of advice to those who contemplate purchas- ing. Drop him a postal and he will do the rest. They are also agents for the Steiff | piano, considered the most durable instru- | ment. Owners of pianos cannot be too careful in having their pianos tuned, for many a good instrument has been ruined by inexperienced | workmen. George J. Becker is a profes- | sional piano tuner, and his rates are reason- able. He is located at 805 11th street north- west. Every one has heard of the Knabe plano. For years it has ranked with the best and its owners claim for it quality and tone sec- ond to none. Wm. Knabe & Co., 817 Penn- sylvaria avenue northwest, have a complete | line of this farnous piano in all shapes. The | firm aleo have on hand a number of second- | hand pianos, but slightly used, which they offer at astonishingly low prices. Spect their unusually fine assortment of fireplace goods, &c., which are offered at “special prices.” erly furnished. be saved in the ing with the Piano Exchange, 913 vania avenue. Christmas buyers appreciate the value of —s especially when they can be saved. Seedy MG what can be done at Will- ‘emple drug store, 9th and F streets. There is a large variety of bottles, smokers’ yh ~2 brushes and usually found in a drug store, and the statement is insde that the prices are lower than ever fore. Saks & Co.'s, Pennsylvania avenue and 7th > oe ee — goods irchased in ®@ chance. there is nothing in this not got. In addition the prices sult of the special study given ial line of goods which constitute of the only exclusive glove store and pensive articles in lines can be found there. An umbrella is a and one that is always needed and ciated. Presentation canes in this store, and, in fa novelties, 8 —_—_. TWO SCIENTISTS Wm. C. Frissell, €28 6th street southwest is a plano tuner of no mean ability. He so- | licits orders from Maryland and Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia, for work in his line and offers his advice free to pur- chasers of pianos. j Droop’s music store is one of the oldest | establishments in the city, and whatever the firm guarantees may be depended upon. At present it is offering a complete line of | Steinway, Chase, Gabler & Briggs pianos | organs, and Wilcox & White symphony, for sale or rent. ] There is no more acceptable gift for a woman than a set of furs and none more ap- preciated. Owing to the hard times Willet | & Ruoff, 905 Pennsylvania avenue, have been able to secure a large consignment of furs, which they are offering at exception- ally low prices. Holiday present. in endless array are of- fered by John Howlings, 612 12th street northwest. His mantel decorations are fire- place necessities, such as old-fi and- irons, fenders, fire sets and grates, and are very pretty. . He is offering at reduced prices some of the celebrated Salopian pottery. A complete assortment of kitchen utensils is one of the necessities of every well-regu- ed household. Barber & Ross have opened a large line of these goods, which they are offering at astonishingly low prices. For a fully-guaranteed steel carving set, with genuine stag handles, $1.25. Again, they of- fer another specialty in the shape of a fam- ily scales, accurate and durable, at 9% cents. Then there is a perfection meat cutter, warranted to cut a pound of meat a minute, just the thing for making mince meat corn beef hash, for $1.50. In fact, everything in the household line is offered at prices within the reach of all. During the cold weather it is necessary to amply Bogor od the feet, as well as the body, from winter's blast. So it becomes a matter of importance that good, serviceable shoes should be obtained. At Crawford's shoe store, 731 7th street northwest, great reductions in shoes of all kinds have been made. The regular $1.50 boy’s calf shoe is selling rapidly at 98 cents, while men’s solid comfort find a ready market at $1.48. The ladies have not been forgotten, and French ra button boots are being closed out at A great cost-price sale of dry goods, cloaks, &c., is in progress at Johnson & Luttrell’s, 713 Market space. There are great reductions in every line, and genuine | eiderdown comforts are sellingvat $5. In the line of dress goods, patterns are offered con- | taining sufficient materials for a dress from j $1.50 to $10. The sale will continue for sev- | eral days longer, and prospective purchasers | would do well to examine the stock at once. The Sohmer piano has always been classed as an instrument worthy of its great suc- cess. G. L. Wild's Bros. & Co., 709 7th Street northwest, are offering this make of piano at greatly reduced rates, and invite inspection before purchasing elsewhere. There is everything in the musical line for the holidays also in stock. A piano combining tone, durability and perfect action is what is claimed for the Vose pianos. They are on sale at Thomp- | son’s music store, G21 11th street, where | they may be tried. It is just the piano for a home, and every well-regulated household should have one. It takes months, and sometimes years, for | one to learn to play upon the piano. San- | ders & Stayman, #4 F street northwest, are agents for the famous aeolian, the wonder. | ful self-playing instrument, which is an in- structor, a8 well as a source of amusement. The firm also have a complete line of pianos and other musical instruments, which will | be shown upon application. It is well to take time by the forelock and get your plano in tune for carols. Victor Becker has had thirty y, experience in this line, and if you drop him | a postal card at 1408 10th street orth he will put your piano in perfect tune moderate price. In these hard times the saving of money is a greater object than ever before, by purchasing from Messrs. W. H. Keister & Co., 9th street and Louisiana dealers in groceries, wines, liquors, fruits, &c., not only can money be saved, but at the same time the best of goods can be se- cured. There is a certain hardly describable charm about perfumes which even poets have sung of. The more delicate the per- fume the more refined the person using it. Miss Lula Lenman, 931 F street, has a justly earned reputation for dealing in such refined and fragrant perfumes, a fact which purchasers should not overiook. Proprietor H. H. Hensey of the Wash- ington Variety Store, 824 7th street, intends that no little girl in the District ‘shall be without @ doll this Christmas, and with that end in view he has secured an assort- ment of dolls which places one within the reach and means of every one. But, in addition to his stock of dolls, he has a stock of other holiday toys and goods hard. ly surpassed ears’ ate known grocery establishment of N. W. \therefore when the Christmas |% west | From now on during the season the well | now render that expedition a manity. Capt.McKay of the Aurora reports that the two young naturalists, Bjorling and Kaistennius, had hired a small schooner, the Ripple, at ‘St. John’s, Newfoundland, and set out for a collecting trip along the West Greenland coast, accompanied by « crew of three men, were wrecked on the Carey Islands in Au- gust, 1892, the schooner running aground as they were leaving. attempt to returned to note, written by Bjorling, dated were preparing 1892, states that come Mr, Stein intends to make it his first to institute a thorough search for ing scientists. ———_-o-—____—_. REIGN OF TERROR AT RIO. Reports Brought From Brasil by a British Warship. ‘The British steamship Nile, which sailed from Pernarabuco on December 5, arrived at Lisbon, Portugsl, Wednesday. She was boarded at once by @ United Press cor- respondent, who obtained this news from the officers and the mail advices: Just before the Nile sailed the govern- ment had the fifteen insurgent officers and the crew of the guardship Parahyba, in the harbor, carried ashore and to be shot by a party of soldiers. diers fired with great the first volley they killed five. the prisoners shouted “Long live Mel! ‘The soldiers declined to rest of the marines are supposed to be alive. The publication of Admiral Mello’s mant- § A reign of verror is said after them no trace Al the cities on f Hank, but I can’t. You see, it is strictly a full-dress affair, and I've of my spurs.” ——————~-—______ Burchell, 1325 F street, will be in weekly receipt of that really rare delicacy, New Baogland sausage. That, however, is but Elected Primate of Irelang The Bishop of Cork was Thuredar q@ieata§ brunate ef liana,