HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Signal, 1915-12-16, Page 8• ThuesaAT. Dsxa•■aa lige. Mils
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THE SIGNAL OODERI ONTARIO
A Christmas Story
By Order a the President
czeoisse
fs.r.r.ee 1v.. s.rr r.0 weary
r : the tau Str William Vas Hors. Is the hero. sad 1
O/ ibis ,tory
shall eadavor to reproduce the seams se be so cleverly
sketched them to me la kis Items ose winter night. the while
we smoked the atter-dinner cigar. Picture then • Christmas eve 1a
s! Tomato, crowds of shoppers abroad In the brilliantly 1Utamtsated
taoronghiares, and Sir William Van Horne w.lktag down Tosge
Street towards the station la a magnificent fur -lined overcoat wttk
a able collar. Yes. he was proud of the figure he cut la that out
-lee admitted it. It was one be had bougbt within the boar la •
Toronto stere He was going back to Montreal and. as ottea kap-
petted 1■ those dark lee travelled with the passengers Instead of
1a a special ear. When he got on the train. prior to going to
the smoking -room. be threw off his new coat and threw it over
the back of his seat. There be left It
There ads Act 1. And there began the troubles of
the evening.
' a ' All alone the C. P. R. president's overcoat occu-
pied the president's seat Bir William did not come
..r ,Ss oar tt until the train pulled up at Burketoa Junction.
and then be only gave it a passing glance as be rushed
$, through the car, in a hurry to get out and see the station
s j agent When be returned the overcoat was gone. Bir William
- dfj raised a rumpus He cross-examined the conductor. and called
in the tralamen. They could give no explaeaUos of the df•
• J'" `J appearance. 81r William was Inconsolable. His beautiful coat
was gore -the handsomest coat he had ever had! The only cies to
k that could be discovered was that supplied by a passenger, wbo
said that when the train stopped at Burketo• Palls he saw a roan
passing through the carriage with a coat on his arm,
"Did he get off the train?" asked the president
"Really. I couldn't say."
t .ort of a man was her
home for six moatbe-been rail-
roading back in the bush. She
and the tittle ones are expecting
me for Christmas."
"Where do you Uvef
"At Peterborough."
"What's your names
-Kennedy."
"1 suppose you've got four or
five little ones looking forward to
Your coming home Christmas-
asked the 9resldent sarcastically.
"Yes. sir." Tan came in the
coat from his baggage. As be man's eyes; a choking sob burst
paved through the third-class from him.
coach. he saw a man sitting there "Shut up, yon snivelling cow -
wearing an overcoat remarkably ard!" roared the president To
like the one he had lost . But the see the man actually 1n tears
collar was turned up and be could angered him beyond measure.
not be sure. He scrutinized the The brakes were already grind-
ing on the wheels. The man put
his hand on the president's arm,
"Don't do It sir," be said. "I
don't ask It for myself. but for my
wife and youngsters. There's no
kerns done. You've got your coat"
The president shook him off
roughly. "You common thieves."
he said -and the words cut the
laborer like a knife - "you
common thieves are always afraid
to face 'the Zeifde.''7iab Malls
.nivel about your 'wife and family
at home' when you're found out.
But I've made up my mind to stop
your little games on this railroad
and by Gum, 1'11 do 11"" "Jump
out and get a policeman." be said
to the conductor. u the train
came to • standstill
A few minutes afterwards the
conductor returned with a police-
man, and the man, silent and de-
tected. was marched off Into the
dark night in custody.
When the train started off again
for Montreal the president rode in
the baggag. car. He sat on the
top of • pile of boxes, Quietly
smoking a cigar and dangling his
feet His gaze was fixed on •
new perambulator, but It was a
long time before he really saw ft
When the conductor came to he
nodded toward the perambulator.
and remarked: "Seasonable pre-
sent, eb!"
"Yes, sir, a very useful sort of
article," replied the conductor.
"But what 1 want to know," re-
plied the president "is why any-
body should buy a wheeled baby
carriage at this Uma of the year.
A man bought that, for sure. A
woman would hare bought one
with runners at this Urate of the
year.
"Of course she would,' replied
the conductor. 'But the man
must have had a busy time shop-
ping. mustn't he! There's a rock -
Ing horse in the baby carriage;
there's a toboggan; there's • tur-
key. and, oh -down of things.
iill be a pretty happy Christmas
wherever that baby carriage and
Its load Is going."
Yes, a carriage for the new
baby. and lots of presents for a
pretty healthy little family. by the
look of It"
-I haven't the least idea. 1 was
reading at the time and didn't
take much notice of him."
By the president's orders. the
train was pulled up at • wayside
station. and • wiri was sent back
to Burketon Falls to put the po-
lice on the track of any man seen
wearing a black, fur -lined over-
coat with a sable coi:"r.
Then Sir William, In his demo.
eratic way• strolled forward to the
baggage car to hunt out another
man carefully and passed on to
the end of the car. Then he turned
back through the car and gazed
fixedly Into the man's face..
The man turned troubled eyes
to the president and Quickly
averted his gate from the piercing
scrutiny. to that glance the presi-
dent knew him to be guilty. He
leaned over the man and said In a
low voice: "Come .forward with
me to the baggage car.'
"What,forr asked the man ob-
stinately.
"Because I say you've got to,"
replied the president "unless you
want • fuss made before the other
passengers!" The man got up
and followed the president with-
out another word. The conductor.
at a alga from the president. also
followed.
-Now," said the president
sternly, when the baggage ear
was reached. "where did you get
that overcoats
The man loobi; rel age gees-
tioner sbeeplsbh.
"I don't see that I'm bound to
tell you," he answered
11. was evidently a laboring
man, anal was overshadowed and
subdued by the pr'esident's man-
ner. His face was bronzed and
weather-beaten; 1t was by no
means the face of a criminal. He
looked like one of the great army
of workers who, by labor with
pick and shovel and axe, spend
their lives In conquering the wil-
derness for their fellow -men.
With a Quick movement the
president slipped his fingers into
the breast pocket of the coat and
pulled out a silk handkerchief.
On one corner of this were his
own initials.
"Do you know t • whom that be-
longs!" asked the president shake
ieg the handkerchief threatening-
ly In the man's face.
"No.-
-That handkerchief belongs to
me, and that cvercoat you've got
on belongs to me. Now do you
know what I'm going to do with
you! I'm going to hand you over
to the pollee at the next station."
"Oh, for God's sake, don't do
that, sir!" exclaimed the man. al-
most In lean.
He stripped off the overcoat and
held It out.
"Hen's your overcoat 1 didn't
man to steal it I saw It lying
on the seat and i thought some
passenger had got out and ter -
gotten It Really, Nr. I sever
meant to steal it!"
-It yoe didn't mean to stat It.
why didn't you band It to the con -
d ucter r
-i tbosght If I didn't take 11
somebody else would. i looked
oa it as • stroke of luck. that's
al L"
Well. 7o091 Sud it • stroke of
bad lack for you. my sear" "Oct
a policeman as noon as we get In-
to Bethany Jv.etloa," be Bald to
the eesdeeter. "111 leek atter
this man tne•awhfie"
"Wy Ded, girl dost d• Ill"
pleaded the mak 'ICU drive tray
poor wife array. I haven't beat
The label on the baby -carriage
aught the eye of the conductor.
He lined It with his thumb and
forefinger. and bent over to look
at 1t Then h. dropped It as though
It burned his fingers, and turned
to the president with something
like consternation In his face
called the pitiful pleadings of the
man -his pale, agonised face, the
unmanly tears.
"it'll drive my poor wire eruy,
the man had said. "I haven't been
home for six months -been rail-
roading back In the bush. She
and the little 'urea have been ex-
pecting me for Christmas."
Sir William thought of his own
wife and family to his luxurious
bonze In Montreal. They were
waiting for Man this Christmas
eve, be knew, waiting and count-
ing up the hours beton he would. -
return. Yet he had only been
away two weeks. As • contrast'
he pictured some humble little
home In Peterborough 'where a'
poor woman, who had not seen
per husband for six months. was
waiting this Christmas eve tor his
arrival. She would have scrubbed
up the house till it looked as clean
as • new pia. She would have •
dainty meal ready for her hus-
band and the president's imagina-
tion added the domestic touch of a
kettle singing on the stove. She
would have pot clean clothes on
the little children. and probably
at this moment,nt`as taken thea
for the hundredth time, "Your
father's coming holne!" And the
Jlttle children! Surely they wen
*racing about the house and ~-
log. "Daddy's coming! Daddy's
coming!" He knew what little
children were! lastly came a
stinging thought The baby carri-
age was probably meant for a
n ew baby that the father had
never seen.
The president began to repent
After all, what had the man dose!
Probably he really thought the
overcoat was lost and had picked
It up Just the same as • man
might pick up e ten -dollar bili on
the door of a hotel. feeling he
might as well have it as anybody
else.
When the train got to the next
station, Sir William Jumped out
aged walked Into the little station
house.
"Give me that key," he said to
the astonished operator. The
president bad been an operator In
his early days, he at once sat
down at the telegraph Instrument
and gave the all for Bethany
Junction. When be got through
to that place be sent a message
that considerably surprised the
operator at the other end
"Get Kennedy, the man arrested
this evening. released Immediately.
His arrest a regrettable mistake.
Get out an engine and one car and
immediately run a special through
to Peterborough. Kennedy must
met then to -night"
By whose orders- asked the
operator at the other end.
"By order of the president
William Van Horne." was the re-
ply.
At Peterborough station that
eight a woman earned Remedy,
with a baby In her arms. and three
or four IIUI• ones socking around
liar, was coo•tderably astonished
to bear an important looking gm-
Ueman. who stepped from the
train on which she had expected
her husband Inquiring for her by
name.
"Is Mn Remedy hent roared
Bit Wllllam.
"What does it say?" asked the "Yes, sir," salt) the woman tim-
preildat "Why man. anybody Idly." I'm Mrs. Kennedy,"
would think 'teas dynamite "Your husband is coming along
with a live fuse attached to look on the next train," said Sir WU-
at you. What's on the label, any- Item.
way "Hell be lure In a couple of
"it says 'John [aned7. Peter- boars. Hen, let me 'bake your
borough.' band and wish you a Merry
'Holy Caeart" exclaimed the Christmas God bless you, ma'am!
preddent springing to Ms feet God bless you!"
"Why that's the man who took my He Jumped on the train and was
overcoat -the mea I had arrest- gone
ed IAnd In the land that tie pred-
'Tes t1 r. dent had shakes Mrs. Kennedy
Thepresident etnod for a lag found • Christmas enamel. It :nut
Mme WOW. at his agar. He re- a twenty dollar Mil, --
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Get"More , oaey"foe your S& ak
111sebret.1...rea, rots. Wb s. Weasel. Phase
mad ether Per bearers colleted In year seadam V
w•eetl.e M mere flea • Mid M e cwte(7 hee��
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r a. a10t men sot rllA j77e t.'ev.
reto Ili -WWW -Ore
A. B. S1 UBE TOi kR , b eti e 1
Disinterested Affection.
The young countryman at a bok01
tomraeeerd to write a letter, and then
went sway, levies It ons the table. •
stringer tame in sod, without tblak-
ing. took up the Reie•ive. H• had it to
his bald who. the rouse man re-
turned. "That's myter. Relator r
M..M, fiercely. ••ee1�1 yea sea have
It," was the repl • "Dile read it r
••kko 1 that 1e, 1 gloriosa ever • few
Regie of 1t and noticed that hardly •
word yeas spelled eewveetty.' "I1 is an
wi gIri-Ib. stet 1'.n Ratan to marry.'
" •s Y 'And 1 don't ewe • dare
about the spp•e11II•'. Wb•t 1 wean to
(mpe.e ear tiros giri is 1•i -4u -o -lead
iota of if. for there's • farts and seventy
sews somhf' to bar r
The Ten Cconnancinacats
for Cluistnans Giving
HARM Mit
'f 410U • ii tje•or .l tL elk imais
i f. Ms ai m the Pi
t i my �sim•sier in is wry yang sad
I The ilk hep dile d, nadir
is is gait alispisad n rim
4. Ties Ai ass Drones $ mop te the tsan
mime el ga► Loa i f ima • yeah cask
and rem ramie in porn this msimeta
S.The ish.iati so..
ss� itatt�i as is INA sl i/ heti
plea added win 1a is afsship
i. • elky gyp. s sod i wIh
1. T1.. eii Ism it Phi may same1 dip
him. is ILe ale mama! ref is imam
dip lin happier.
ChinosSalsV�IS ma ye
rad
seihtttasi sod imam.
O. Tie doh micAnisripear mad
Nei •iiiplisIsom.
aim
mai ill imp beim sale
9. Thee shah artpthmar
ip Tlwii
Ih.w ley methods In iotas imam sop.
Ill Tlw Asko esisf setri.
.r .yeb.l ski i7
hoe& may host hsetewed spas ins at
arra.►
TWO TOTS IN A TOY SHOP
Little Denny Was Almost laeyeed
Hope In the Lyes of Hie Older
Slater, Aped lel..
She was six if she was a day; she
bad a little tat back in a 11tUe Meek
coat and her wisps of red Wr
matched her red tamo'skanteit la
her firm hand she held a straggling
boy about • year younger, and they
were getting into the elevator at a
big department store and making for
"toys."
Children are not allowed, unaccom-
panied by guardians, to most large
shop:, but such was her air of re-
sponsibility, of decorum, that 1t would
have been • bold floorwalker who
dared to Question her.
Nor, evidently, was It her first visit
The boy. still held in leash. ran In
front and made straight for the space
devoted to Santa Claus, his reindeer
and his sleigh. piled with toys.
There was a background of fir and
cedar and a huge Christmas tree. but
the pair sat down before the tautaat-
ing old fellow in his red robe, his
long white beard. holding his big
whip, and from his face the small boy
did not turn from worshiping In sol-
emn adoration.
Across the room was a creche; also
a wonderful and beautiful thing. The
Infant Jesus in the manger, the moth-
er In her blue robes, 8t. Joseph. with
bis staff, the three kings resplendent
The children had been perfectly
still tor fifteen minutes looking at
Santa Claus, when the little girt whis-
pered to the boy. He squirmed, strog-
gfed. bat she was too much for him
She dislodged him from his seat.
4roplet/ him to the creche, and with
motherly. Irish piety, pressed him on
kis knee.
Reverently she described the holy
group, thea world incite devotion
from • more human motive.
"See the cow, Denny; you mind the
cow we used to milk last summer at
the term when we went on the fresh
air? See the goat, Denny: you mind
the goat in our alley! It's bis pitcher."
Bet Denny whined and pulled and
pulled to be back again to his Idol.
The little girl looked up. Her sigh
was that given by every woman since
the beginning. for every man for
whose soul she holds herself respon-
sible.
"Denny," she said. "Denny iikes
Banta Claus better than le liken God.'
Lime to haniyour
And hi no&rs to Santa
rsiishE tip His chimneyfar
joy ytomr prexrs
entrinfreternertrOtrenfointerertrilrentrertrirent
May each Christmas. as 1t
comes, pad us more and more
like his who. aa at this time.
became a little child for our
sake, more ebnplominded. more
humble. mere holy. more affec-
tionate,
fectient., more magma. mon
happy, more hill of Ood,-J. H.
Newman.
leesae rate Preemie.
"1 th.ttl & I'd he eamemta•1 this
year read stabs gay tllAstmas mew
outs myself, Instead of Myles chest,"
said Mrs. Ba1Mm; "us 1 bought a
book of Inott'nMMno mad west ahead."
"How dM yea make oar ..ked
Mn. Bream.
"The measrInIn AWN up to 141-x,
and i put In a math's bard egirhi1
sad totem'
"Meer dig Mist , eeleepr-s with last
year r
-um year I boot all 1 wanted dr
lea"
/Ire! Oh•ealmee Opel.
la December, iMt, Mr. W. A. Deb
pa eget the ball Chrhil so OW&
Come to Hohmeier's for,
Your Christmas Presents
If you are wondering what would be best to get them, visit
HOHMEIER'S.
The store is replete with suggestions and you will surely be surprised at the
timely, useful gifts stocked here, the kind you can give knowing
that each one is just the very thing. Look over this list :
Trays
Book Cases
Book racks
Book stands
Waste paper baskets
Work tables
Work baskets
Card tables
J`olding tables .
Den tables
Library tables
Tea tables
Odd parlor chain
Smokers stands)
Candlesticks
Lamps
Foot stools
Pedestals
Writing desks
Toy furniture
Magazine stands
Desks
Wicker Bower stands
Wicker tables
Wicker chairs
Jardiniere stands
Music cabinets
Morris chairs
Couch beds
Kitchen cabinets
Pictures
Rugs
Children's Tricycles
Go-carts
Children's sleighs
Console tables
Cribs, Cradles
Dressing tables
Mattresses
Comforters
Chiffoniers
Bedroom chairs
Beds, Pillows
Wardrobes
Couches and sofas
China cabinets
Buffets and sideboards
Hall racks
Umbrella stands
Hall docks
Hall seats
Hall mirrors
Hall trees
Bake and ironing boards
Divans
Divanettes
Cedar bastes
Children's high chairs
Cushions
Vacuum cleaners
Ladies' writing desks
Sectional book cases
Jardinieres
Costumiers
Candle holders
Period furniture
Bathroom mi'lrors
Pool tables
Billiard tables
Trengleo tables
Crokinole boards
And many others
How would a 2(ordkelImer 91am be as a gift for your
home? Pianos from $ 185.00.
Furniture and • Goeric, Ont.
House Furnishing: Geo. Hohmeier dPhone h89
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Unselfishness 1s the k.7 to ? Seven more shopping days before Christmas
Christmas happiness.
£NV1ou$I
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, kk I 0 ti444:1).:d1P11 AMMa
•
"Do you ever wed you were & girls
asked the visitor.
"Duly at Christmas time,- aannirel
the boy.
"Why do you w1.1 it tbear
"Because of the stockkage they
CeitlwtJag the Citelebees Sptrlt
"Ara'" • the moody man.
'there is no sees for me In tale
Joyous season
-Tel-tut'" said the optimist- "N.
ly there le a rat of wnab1ao tar yea.
as there 1s fur •11 et ea If we bat
look for K.'
"No" toggled the moods sae '1
have fist a magi• Mend sad go rela-
tives with whom 1 •a at speakig
terms,"
-Cheer up, thea.` Myles/ the ether.
with a rade of envy le hie tam.
Vaal you he pad seems pee wilt
am have 1• buy w tar1uIaso W51'
•nor
"Beautiful Hair"
Makes any woman attrac-
tive and youthful, and
ladies who would make
their appearance what
they would like it to be
should see
Dorenwend's Display of
Fine tialr-Goods
at The Hotel Bedford, Uoderkh
on Wednesday,ber 22nd
Switches, Braids, Transfo tions, Pompe
dour., Waves, etc. -the products of Canada's
oldest and largest hair -goods house.
"Bald Gentlemen"
A Dorrnwend ton pee IA an
absolute neceasitti in the
man who is bald. It will
protect your health and make
yogi appear years younger.
Coyne and see them on de
of vWt and have
AFRQE
DEMONSTRATION
"T' DORENWEND'S "'
oittsAk
IN