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The Exeter Advocate, 1896-12-24, Page 3A CHRISTMAS GAMBLE, By .L jinn g...A.R.P. The snow was gently sifting down through the white glare of the electric light when Pony Rua ell buttoned his overcoat around him and left the Me- trepolaan Hotel, which was hie home; He was a 'ung man, nut more than SU, and his face was a striking one. la was clean Out and clean shaved. It might have been the face of an actor or the face of a stat eeman. An act- or's face has a certain mobility of ex- pression resulting from the habit of aseurning characters differing widely. Howell's face, wheli you came to look at it closely, showed that it had been accustomed rather to repress eapres- slop than to express emotion of any kind. A casual look at Pony Rowed made you think his face would tell you something;. a closer scrutiny show- ed you that it would tell you nothing. His eyes were of a piercing steely gray that seemed to read the thoughts of others, while they effectually conceal- ed his own. Pony Rowell was known as a man who never went back on his word. He was a 'professional gambler. On this particular Christmas eve he strolled up the avenue with the easy eerriage of a man of infinite leisure. He hesitated for a moment at an illy - lighted passage way in the middle of a block on a side street, then went in and mounted a stair. He rapped htly at a door. A slide was shov- ed back and a face inside peered out at him for a moment. Instantly the 'door was opened; for Pony's face was good for admittance at any of the gambling rooms in the city. There 'was still another guarded door to pass, for an honest gambling -house keeper can never tell what streak of sudden morality may strike the police, and It is well to have a few moment's time in which to conceal the paraphernalia of the business. Of course, Mellish's .gaiiiblIng rooms were as well known to the pollee as to Pony Rowell, but nnless some fuss was made by the s:ublic, Mellish knew he was all right. Mellish Wal3 a careful man, and a visitor had to be well vouched for be - gore he gained admission. There nev- er were any fusses in Mellish's rooms. Fie was often known to advise a play- er to quit when he knew he could not afford to lose, and instances were cited where he had been the banker of some man in despair. Everybody liked Mellish, for his generosity was un- bounded, and he told a. good story well. Inside the roam that Pony Rowell had penetrated, a. roulette table 'was at its whirling work and faro was go- ing, on in another spot. .At small tables various visitors were enjoying elle game of poker. "Hello, Pony," cried Bert Itagstock, are you going to give me my re- venge to -night ?" "I'm always willing to give anyone Mlle revenge," enswered Pony imper- durbably, lighting a fresh cigarette. "All right then; come and sit down here." "I'm not going to play Just yet. I eve at to look on for a while." "Nonsense. I've been waiting for you ever so long already. Sit down." " You ought to know by this time, 'Bert, that when I say a thing I mean et. I won't touch a card till the clock -begins to strike 12. Then I'm and ye." " Psha.w, Pony, you ought to be above that sort of thing. That's su- perstition, Rowell, You're too cool a man to mind when you touch a card. Ccme on." "That's all right. Christmas morn- ing, I said to myself, and Christmas it ehiill be or not at all." The old gamblers in the place nod- ded approval at this resolution. It was all right enough for Bert Rag - stock to sneer at superstition because he was not a real gambler. He mere- ly came to Mellish's rooms in the even- ing because the Stock Exchange did not keep open all night, When the clock began to chime mid- night Pony Rowell took up the pack and began to shuffle. "Now, old man,", he said, "I'm go- ing in to Win. I'm after big game to- night." "Right you are," cried Bert, with 'enthusiasm. "I'll stand by you es 'long as the spots flay on the cards." In the gray morning, when most of 'the others had left and even Mellish 'himself was yawning, they were still ,at it. The professional gambler had ,von a large sum of money; the large east hum he ever possessed. Yet there 'was no gleam of triumph in his keen (eyes. Bert might have been winning for all the emotion his face Showed. 'They were a well matched pair, and -they enjoyed playing with each other, "There," cried Pony at last, " have- ecet you had encugh ? Luck's against you, I wouldn't run my- head any lcnger against a brick wall, if I were .you." "My dear Pony, how often have I 'told you there is no such thing as ?luck. But to tell the truth I'm tired .and I'm going home. The revenge is • postponed. When do I meet the enemy again ?" Pony Rowall shuffled the cards idly or a few moments without replying - .0r raising his eyes. At last he said : The next' time I play you, Bert, it 'will be for high stakes." " Good heavens, are'nt you satisfied with the stakes we played for to - 'night ?" "No. I want to play you for a -stake that will make even your hair 'stand on end. Win YOU do it ?' "Certainly. When ?" "That I can't tell just yet. I have .a big scheme on hand. I am to see man to -day about it. All I want to 'know is that you promise to play." "Pony, this is- mysterious. I guess ,you're not afraid I will flunk out. I'm iready to meet you on any terms and .for any stake." " Enough said. let you know some of the particulars as soon as I 'find out all I want myself. Merry 'Christmas to you and good-bye." "Merry Christmas to you, rather," said Bert, as Mellish helped him on with his overcoat. You've won the rebbing a poor man of his hard - 'earned gains." "Oh. the poor man does not need the money as badly as I do. Besides I'm going to give you a chance to win it eli back again and more." When Ragetock had left, Pony still satby the table absent-mindedly tshuffling the cards. If I were you," said Mellish, laying ',his hand on his shoulder, "I would put 'that pile in the hank and quit." " The faro 'yank ?" said Pony, look- ing up with a smile No. I'd quit the business alto- egether if I were you. I'm going to my- • self." • "Oh, we all know that. You've been going to quit for the last twenty years. 'Well, I'm going to quit, too, but not just yet. That's What they all say, of course, hot I mean it." In the early and crisp Cheistmas air Pony Howell walned to the Metropela tan hotel and to bed. . At three that aftet•noon the man he had an appoint- tnent with called to see him. " It is a little unusual," the visitor rsaid, to call on ad man on Christmas day to talk life insuraace, but you made the appointment and I'm only too happy to keep it. An agent is al- ways ready to talk of policies. Now, Were you thinking of an endowment scheme or have you looked into our new bond system of Insurance? The twenty -pay -life style of thing seems to be very popular." "I want to ask you a few questionl," said Poey. "If I were to 'insure my lite in your 'company and were to corn- -mit suicide would that invalidate the 'policy ?" aot after two yearn.' After two years, in our company, the .policy is incontestable." . "Two years. That won't do for me. Can't you make it one year ?" I'll tell you what I will do," saia the agent, lowering his voice, I can ante -date the policy, so that the two years will end just when you like, say a year from now.". . "Very well. 'If you can legally fix it so that the two years come to an end before next Christmas, I will insure in your company for $100,000." . The agent opened his eyes when the amount was mentioned. "I don't want endowments or bonds, but the cht•apest for•m • of life insur- ance you have, and -" "Straight life is what you want." "Straight life it is, then, and I will pay you for the two years, or say, to make it sure, for two years and a half down, whm you bring me the papers." Thus it was that with •part of the money he had won Pony Rowell in- sured his life for $100,000, and with an- other part he paid his board and lodg- ing for a year ahead at the Metropo- litan hotel. The remainder he kept to speculate on. During the day that followed he siteadily refused to play with Bert Rag - stock, and once or twice they nearly had a row about It -that is an near as Pony could come to having a row with anybody, for quarreling was not in his line. If he had lived-in niece civ- ilized part of the community Pony might have shot, but as it was rows never could come to anything, there- fore he aid not indulge in any: " I bate to be kept for Christmas, like a turkey," complained Bert. "We will have a game then that will nuke up for all the waiting," answered Rowell. When the hour streek that ushered In Christmas, Pony Rowell and Bert Lagstock sat facing each other, pre- wired to resume business on the old Stand, "Alt," said Bert, rubbing his hands, "it feels good to get opposite you once more. Pony, you're a crank. We might have bad a. hundred games like this during the past year, if there was- n't so much superstition about you." "Not quite like this. This is to be the last game I play, win or lose. 1 tell you that now, so that there won't be any talk of revenge if I win." "You don't mean it. I've heard talk like that before." "All right. I've warned you. Now I propose that the; be a game of .pure luck. We gat a. new pack of cards, shuffle them, cut, then YOU pull one card and I another. Ace high. The highest takes' the pot. Best two out of three. Do you agree 7" "Of course. How much is the Pile to be ?" " One hundred thousand dollars." " Oh, you're dreaming." "Isn't it enough ?" " Thunder ! You never saw $100,000." "You will get the money if I lose." "Say, Pony, that's coming it a, little strong. One hundred thousand dol- lars ! Heavens and earth ! How many business men in this whole city would expect their bare word to be taken for $100,000 ?" "I'm not a business mare I'm a gambler." "Titre, true. Is the money in sight ?" "No; but you'll be paid. Your money is not in sight. I trust you. Can't you trust me ?" "It isn't quite the same thing, Pony. I'll trust you for three times the money you have in sight, but when you talk about $100,000 you are talking of a lot of cash." "If I can convince Mellish here that you will get your money, will you play ?" "You can convince me just as eas- ily as you can Mellish. What's the use of dragging him in ?" "I could convince you in a minute, but you might still refuse to ,play. Now I'm bound to play this game and I can't take any risks. If my word and Mellish's isn't good enough for ycu. why, say so." "All right," cried Bert. "If you can convince Mellish that you will pay if you lose I'll play you." Rowell and Mellish retired into an 'neer room and after a few minutes reappeared again. Mellish's face was red when he went in. He was now a trifle pale. " I don't like this, Bert," Mellish said, "and I think this game had better stop right here." "Then you are not convinced that I am sure of my money ?" "Yes, I am, but-" "That's enough for nee. Get up your new pack." "You've given your word, Mellish," said Pony, seeing the keeper of the hoese was about to speak. "Don't say any more." For such a sum two out of three is too sudden. Make it five out of nine." put in Bert. " I'm willing." The new pack of cards was brought and the wraapings tern off. "You shuffle first; I'll cut," said Rowell. His lips seemed parched and he moistened that., now and then, which was unusual for so cool a gam- bler. Mellish fidgeted around with lowered brow. Bert shuffled the cards as nonchaleatly as if he had merely a $5 bill on the result. When each had taken a card Bert held an ace and Pony a king. Pony shuffled and the turn up was a spot in Pony's hand and a queen in that of his op- ponent. Bert smiled aad the drops began to shcw on Pony's forehead in spite of his efforts at self-control. No word was spoken by either players or onlookers. After the next deal Pony again lost. 'His imperturbability seem- ed to be leaving him. He swept the cards from the table with an oath. "Bring another pack," he said hoarse- ly. Mellish couldn't stand it any longer. He retired to one of the inner rooms. , The first deal with the new pack turn - ,ed in Pony's favour and he seemed to 'feel that his luck had changed, but the next deal went against him and also the one following. It your shufile,"' said Rowell, pushing the cards towards his oppon- ent., Bert did not touch the cards, brit smiled across at the gambler. • "What's the matter with you ? Why don't roil shuffle? " I don't have to said Bert, quiet- ly, ' I've won five." "So you have," he said, "I hadn't noticed it. Etcuse me. I guess I'll go now." "Sit where you ELM and letus have a game for something, more modest. I don't care about these splurges my- self and I don't suppose you do -now." Ths.nks, no. I told you this was ray last game, As to the splurge,. If T wa,dicammerio HOLIDAY PUZZLE. Put a piece of thin paper over the turkey in the platter, eracing the outline of the turkey. then cutting it out with sciseors. Ilhere are two positions in which cue turkey can be placed over the letters of the tablete-ench padtion with the neck Uppenaten-adel; when properly placed, two. seasonahle greetiege may lie found, by taking the letters ;Melo the border of the teteeey; coMmencing fa, top of neck each time, rending • along the right edge, :trotted the tail, end hack to sternag letter. Time first, greeting contains twenty-two letters; the second', twenty. • ANSWERS TO; "HOLIDAY PUZZLE," GnEETIXO.-Place the neck of turkey over the' letter "II" in the word "GREAT," fou1 th. line from top, ;toil 0v:I 13.11 (Wee letter "It" in "PAR'IT," next to bottom hue, obtainiug-"MERRY CHRIS. nelAS GREETING." • Secosp Gee ErrinoaaPlace neck Over letter "Y" iii ".T011.Y," next to top line; the teil over keter "L" in "PLAGUED," fifth line from. Umtata; etut trill receive - 'WISH YOU A HAPPY, NEW YEAR." eeeh had the money. I would willingly try it again. So long." When Mellish came in and saw that the game was over he asked where Pony was. 2,. .x fhLoBill flitkr ImY dfi. and thn "He knew when he had enough, I guess," answered Bert. He's gone home." "Come in here, Bert, I want to speak with you," said Mellish. When they were alone Mellish turn- ed to him. "I suppose Pony didn't tell you where the money is to come from ?" "No, he told you. That was en- ough for me." "Well, there's no reason why you should not know now. I promised silence till the game was finished. He's iesured his life for $100,000 anti is go- ing to commit suicide so that you may be paid." "My God I" cried Bert, aghast. "Why did you let the game go on?" "I tried to stop it, but I had given my word and you—" "Well, don't let us stand chattering here. He's let the Metropolitan, isn't he ? Then come along. Hurry into your coat." Mellish knew the number of Ho- well's room and so no time was lost in the hotel office with enquiries. He tried the door, but, as he expected, it was locked. "Who's that ?" cried a voice within. "It's me -Mellish. I want to speak With you a moment." "I don't want to see you." "Bert wants to say something. It's Important. Let us in." '1'1 won't let ou in. Go away and don't make a fuss. It will do no good. You can get in in about ten minutes." "Look here, Pory, you open that door at once, or 1'11 kick it in. You hear me ? I want to see you a min- ute, and then you can do what you like," said Bert in a voice that meant business. ' After a moment's hesitation Rowell opened the door and the two stepped in. Half of the carpet had been taken up and the bare floor covered with old newspapers. A revolver was on the table, also writing materials and a half -finished -leiter. Pony was In his shirt sleeves and he did not seem pleased at the interruption. " What do you want ?" he asked shortly. " Lcok here, Pony," said Bert, "I have confessed to Mellish and Wye come to confess to you. I want you to be easy with me and hush the thing up. I cheated. I stockedsthe cards," "You're a liar," said -Howell, look- ing him straight in the eye. "Don't say that again," cried Ran,L stock, with his fingers twitching. "There's mighty few men I Would take take that from." "You stocked the cards on me? I'd like to see tne man that could do it." "You were excited and you didn't notice it." • "You're not only a liar, but you're an awkward liar. I have loet the nit ney and I'll pay it. It would have been ready for you now, only I had a letter to write. 'Mellish has told you about the insurance policy and my will attached to it. Here they are. They're yours. I'm no kicker. I know when a game's played fair." Bert took the policy and evidently intended to tear it in pieces, while Mellish, with a wink at him, edged around so as to get at the revolver. Ragstock's eye Caught the name in big letters at the head of the policy, beautifully engraved. His eyes open- ed wide, then he sank into a chair and roared with laughter. Both the other men looked at hint in astonishment. " What's the matter ?" asked Mel- lish. " Matter? Why this would have been a' joke on Pony. It would do both of you some good to know a lit- tle about business as well as of gam- blirg. The Hardfast T4 ife Insurance Company went smash six months ago. It's the truth this time, Pony, even if I didn't stock the cards. Better make - some enquiries in business circles be - fere you try to collect any money from this institutien. Now, Pony, order up the drinks, if anything can be bad at this untimely hour. Besides it's Christmas morning, so you are ex- pected to be hospitable. ., rye had all the excitement I want for one night, We'll call it square and- begin over again." AEON CROW'S CHRIST -NH POCKETS, BY RUTH MoENRRY STUART. His mother named him Solomon, be- cause, when he was a baby, he look- ed so wise; and then she called him Crow because he was so black. True, she got angry when the boys caught it up, but then it was too late. They knew more about crows than they did about Solomon and the name suited. His twin brother, who died when he was a day old, his mother had call- ed Grundy -just because, as she said, "Solomon an' Grundy b'longs together In de books." When the wee black boy began to talk he knew himself equally as Solo- mon or Crow, and so, when asked his atone, he would answer :-" Solomon Crow," and Solomon Crow he thence- ferth became. Crow was ten years old now, and he was so very black and polished and thin, and had so peaked and bright a face, that no one who had any sense of humour could hear him called Crow without smiling. Crow's mother, Tempest, had been a worker in her better days, but now she had grown fatter and fatter until she was so lazy and broad that her chief pleasure seemed to be sitting in her front door and gossiping with her neighbours over the fence, or in abus- ing or praising little Solomon, accord- ing to her mood. Tempest had never been very honest. When, in the old days, when she hired out as cook. and had brought "her dinner" home at night, the basket on her arm usually held enough for her- self and Crow and a pig and the chic- kens, with some to give away. She had not meant Crow to understand, but he was wide-awake, and his mother was his pattern. But this is the boy's story. It seemed best to tell a little about his n.other, so that, if he should some time do wrong things, we might all, writer and readers, be patient with him. He had been poorly taught. If we could not trace our honesty back to our mothers, how many of us would love the truth ? Crow's mother loved him very much -she thought. She would knock down any one who ever blamed him for any- thing. Indeed, when things went well, she would sometimes go sound asleep In the abor with her fat arm around him -very much as the mother cat be- side her lay half dozing while she licked her baby kitten. But if Crow was awkward or forgot anything -or didn't bring home money enough -her abuse was worse than any mother cat's claws. One of her worst taunts on such occasions was to say :-" Well, you is a low-down nigger, I must say. No- body, to look at you, would &neve you was twin to a angel !" or, "How you reckon yo' angel twin feels ef he's a- lookin' at YOU DOW ?" Crow had great reverence for his lit- tle lost mate. Indeed, he feared the displeasure of this other self who, he believed, watched him from the skies, quite as much as the anger of God. Sad to say, the good ford, whom most children love as a kind heavenly Father, was to noor little Solomon Crow only a terrible, terrible punisher 'of wrong, and the little boy trembled at His very name. He seemed to hear God's anger in the thunder or the winds, but In- the blue sky, the ,faithful stars, the opening flowers and sing- ing birds, in all loving kindness and friendship, lie never saw a heavenly Father's love. • He knew that some things were right and others wrong. He knew it was right to go out and earn dimes to buy the things needed in the cabin, but he equally knew it 'was 'wrong to get his mcney dishonestly. Crow was a very shrewd little boy, and he made money honestly in a number of ways that only a wide-awake boy -would thtnic about. 'When fig season came, in hot sum- mer time, be happened to notice that beautiful ripe figs were drying up on the tip top of some great trees in a neighbouring yard, where a steut old gentleman and his old wife lived alone, and he began to reflect. " If I could get hold o' de fine su gar figs dat's a-sevivelire up every day top 0' dem trees, I'd meck a heap 0' money peddlin' em. And even sterile he thought this thought he licked -.his lips. There were, no doubt, °thew attractions about the figs for a small boy with a sweet tooth. On the very next morning after this, Crow. rang the front bell of the yard where the figs grew. Want a boy to pick figs on sheers" That was all he said to the fat old gen Ileroan who had stepped around the house in answer to his ring. Crow's offer was timely. 010 Mr. Cary was red in the face and panting now from reaching up into the mouldy, demo lower limbs of his fig trees, try- ing to gather a dishful for breakfast. fe%Choeinade aosn'h"e steokes.aid, mopping his 'iaviossekssniot ,nii ..yairrshares, will you ?" vi:ry:Prarosimpsfeirs.,fle,gs9,, ynever to pick any bu the Honest boy 7" " Yassin" " Turn in, then; but wait a minute." He stepped aside into the house, re- turning Presently with two baskets. "Here." he said, present bah. "Thee are pretty near them beth. Size. Go ahead, now, and let's see what You can do." Needless to say, Crow proved a great success as a fig picker. The very sugary figs that old Mr. Cary had ranted and reached for in vain lay bursting with sweetness on top of the leaskete. The old gentleman and his wife were delighted, and the boy was ouickly en- gaged to come every morning. And btheissineevsass. how Crow went into the fig Crow was ae likeable boy -so bright arid handy and quick, and the old people soon pecame food of him. They noticed that he always hand- ed in the larger of the two baskets, keeping the smaller for himself. He seemed. indeed, not enly honest, but generous. But— Poor little Soloman Crow I It is a pity to have to write it, but his weak point was that he was not quite hon- est. He wanted to be, Just because his angel twin might be watching him, and he was afraid of thunder. But Crow was so anxious to be "smart" that he had long ago begun doing " tricky " things. Even the men working the roads discovered this. In eating Crow's "trash -boiled crawfish," or "shrimps," they would come across cne of the left -overs of yesterday's supply, mixed with the others, and a yesterday's shrimp is full of stomach- aehe and indigestion. So that bust- aeSS suffered, In the lig business the ripe ones told well, but when one of Crow's custom- ers offered to buy all he would bring of green ones for preserving Crow be- gan filling his basket nith them and putting a layer of ripe ones over them. His lawful share of the very ripe he also carried away in his little bread basket. This was all very dishonest, and Crow knew it. Still he did it many times. And then -see how one thing leads to another -and then, one day -oh, Solomon Crow, I'm ashamed to tell it on you I One day he noticed that there were fresh eggs in the henhouse nests -quite near the trees. Now, if there was anything Crow liked it was a fried egg -two fried eggs. He al- ways said he wanted two on his plate at once, looking at him like a pair of round eyes, "an' when cloy reco'nies me I eats 'em Me." Why not slip a few in the bottom of the basket and cover them up with ripe figs ? And so one day he did. it. He stopped at the dining -room door that day, and was handing in the larger basket, as usual, when old Mr. Cary, who stood there, said, smiling :- "No, give us the smaller basket TO- &ty, my boy." It's our turn to be acnerous." He extended his hand as he spoke. -Mr. Cary kept his hand out wait- ing, but still Crow stood as if paralys- ed, gaping and swallowing. Finally he began lo blink. And then he said :- " I ain't p-p-pertielar 'b -b -bout de big basket D -d -d -de best figs is in y'all's pickin'-in dis, de big basket." Crow's appearance was conviction It- self. Without more ado Mr. Cary grasped his arm firmly and fairly lift- ed him into the room. "Now, set those baskets down," he said sharply. The boy obeyed. "Here! empty the larger one on this tray. That's it. All fine, ripe figs. You've picked well for us. Now turn the other one out." At this poor Crow had a sudden re- lapse of the dry gapes. His arm fell limp, and he looked' as if he might tumble over. "Turn 'em out !" shrieked the old gentleman in so thunderous a tone that Crow jumped off his feet, and, seizing the other basket with his lit- tle shaking paws, he emptied it upon the heap of figs. Old Mrs. Cary had come in just in time to see the eggs roll out of the basket; and for a moment she and her husband looked at each other and then at the boy. She asked him a good many ques- tions -some very searching ones, too - all of which Crow answered as best he could with his very short breath. His first feeling had been .pure fright. And uhen he found he was not to be abused -not beaten or sent tg jafl-he began to wonder. Little Solomon Crow, 10 years old, in a Christian land, was hearing for the first time in his life that God loved him -loved birn even now in his sin and disgrace, and wanted him to be good. " Has no one ever told you. Solomon" -she had always called him Solomon, declaring that Crew was no lit name for a boy who looked as he did-" has no one ever told you, Solomon," she said. "that God loves all His little children a-nd that you are one of these little children ?" "No, ma'am," he answered with dif- ficulty. And then, as if catching at something that might give him a lit- tle standing, he added quickly -so quickly that he stammered again :- " B -b -but I knowed I was twin to a el gel. I know dat. An' I know at my angel twin seen me tech dem aigs he'll be mighty aen to tell Gord to strike me down daid." Of course he•had to explain then about the "angel -twin," an.d the old lady talked for a long time to him. And then together they knelt down. When at last they came out of the library, she held the boy's hand and led him to her husband. " Are you willing to try him again, WIlliam ?" ..,he anied. " He has pro- mised to do better," Old Mr. Cary cleared his throat and laid down his paper. " Don't deserve It he began; "dirty litle thief." A.nd then he tinned to the boy :-- Inliat have you got on. sir ?" His voice was really quite terrible, " Nothin'; only but des my brichea , an' jacket. an' skin," Crow replied bo- tweee gasps. "How many pot:Lets ?" Hhroe ,"MaaiciC nv I":)reoiwts r d. " Turn 'ern out Crow drew out bis little rust -stain- ed i)oclects, dropping a few old nails and bits of twine upon the floor as he did so. " larn-lem Well powI Il tell you. You're a dirty little thief, as said ^before. I'm going to treat you as one If you wear those pockets hang- ing out or rip 'em out, and corns in here before you leave every day dress- ed just as you are -pants and jaeket and skin -and 'turn out your. basket for Us before YOU go -W -11A I'M satis- fied you'll do betteighnou can come." tThehcas if she thought him pretty hard on nothing ovienrayl. d d:l looked hsy. at i3uht$ she, husbandsaid Crow glanced appealingly at her be- fleogrehaisnspweeekrientg:._ Then he said, Betz- lad'ziIsr you got air pair o' seissors, Mrs. Cary wished her husband would relent even when she brought the sets - Sons, but he only cried :- " Out with am 1" " Suppose YOU cut them out yourself, Solomon," she said, kindly, handing hint the scist cas. You'll have alt this work to do yourself. We can't make you good." When, after several awkward et- fcrts, Crow finally ut the coarse little pocketsin liar hands, there were tears In her eyes, and she tried to hide them as she leaned over and gathered up his treasures, nails and string and broken tea. As she handed themto; him, she said :-" And I'll lay the when we see that you, Solomon: ant when we gee that you are an honest boy I'll sew them back for you my - Self; she spoke she rose, divided the figs evenly between the two baskets and handed one to Crow. If there ever was a serious little black boy on God's beautiful earth it was little Solo- mon Crow as he balanced his basket of figs on his head and went out the gate that day. The next few weeks were not without trial to the boy. Old. Mr. Cary con- tinued very stern, even following him to the gate, as if he dare not trust him to t'eo out alone. And when be closed itaf ter him be would say :- " Good menthe, sir !" That was all. Little Crow dreaded that walk to the gate more than all the rest of the or- deal. And yet, in a way, it gave him courage. He was at least worth. while, and with time and patience he would win back the lost faith of the friends who were kind to him even while they could TiOt trust him. They were, indeed, kind and generous in many ways, both to him and his un- worthy mother. Fig time was soon nearly over, and, of course, Crow expected a dismissal; but it was Mr. Cary himself who set there fears at rest by proposing to him to come daily to bPaeken his boots and to keep the garden walk in order for regular wages, " But," he waened him, in closing. "don't you shear your face here with a pocket on you. If your heavy pante have any in 'em, rip 'em out." And then he added, severely :-" You've - been a very bad boy." " Yassir," answered Crow, "I know' X is. I been a heap wusser boy'n you knowd I was, too.' "What's that you say, sir ?" Crow repeated it. And then he add- ed for full confession :- " I picked green figs, heap o' days,, an' layered 'ern up wid ripe ones, area sol"em to a white 'Oman fur per.. " There was something des- perate in the way he blurted it all out. " The dickens you did I And what are you telling me for ?" Ile eyed the boy keenly as he put the question. At this Crow fairly wailed aloud :- " 'Case I ain't gwine do it no mo'e. And throwing his arms azainst the - door sill, he sobbed as if his little heart would break. For a moment old Mr. Cary seemed to have lost his voice, and then he said in a voice quite new to Crow :- " I don't believe you will, sir, I don't believe you will." And in a minute he said, still speaking gently :-" Cornet here boy." Still weeping aloud. Crow obeyed. " Tut, tut I No crying I" he began. "Be a man -be a man. And if you stick to it, before Christmas come - we'll see about those pockets, and you can walk into the new year with your head up. But look sharp t Good -by, now." For the first time since the born fall Mr. Cary did not follow him te the gate. Maybe this was the be- ginning of trust. Slight a thing as It was, the boy took comfort in it. At last it was Christmas Eve. Crow' was on the back " gallery " putting a final polish on a pair of boots. He was nearly done, and his heart was beginning to sink, when the old lady came and stood near him. There was a very hopeful twinkle in her eye as she said presently :-" I wonder what' our little shoeblack, who has been try- ing so hard to be good, would like for his Christmas gift ?" But Crow only polished the faster and blinked. "Tell me, Solomon," she insisted. "if you had one wish, what would it be ?" The boy wriggled nervously, and. then he said :- "You knows. Needle -an' thrade- an'-you knows, lady. Pockets." " Well, pockets it shall be. Come Lit my room when you get through." The old lady sat beside the fire read- ing as he went in. Seeing hint she nodded, smiling, toward the bed, upon. which Crow saw a brand new suit of clothes, coat, vest, and breeches, sit spread out in a row. "There, my boy," she said; "there are your pockets. Crow had never in all his life owned' a full new suit of clothes. All lila "new" things had been second-hantt. and for a moment he could not quite believe his eyes, but ne went quickly ta- ttle bed and began passing his httnde over the clothes. Then he ventured to take up the vest and to turn H. over. And now he began to find' pockets. 'Three pockets in de yes -two in de pants -an' -an' fo', no five, no sitxh-elrusxt poncletetgsigirgiledde fc000altish!"ly as he his little black lingers into one ante then another. And then, suddenly overcome with a sense of the situaa tion, he turned to Mrs. Cary, and, in 4 voice that trembled a little-:--." is you sho you, ain't 'feered to trus' me wid all daze pockets, lady ?" It doesn't take a small bol'- long to slip into a new suit, and when a rag- ged urchin disappeared behind the head of the great old "tour -poster" to -day, it seemed s'earcely a minute before a, trig, "tailor-made boy " strutted out the opposite side, hands deep, in pockets, breathing hard. A.5 Solomon Crow strode up and - down the room, racaia,nt with Joy, he 'seemed for the moment quite uncon- apious of any one's presence. But presently he stopped, looked involune tartly upward a minute, as if he felt himself observed from above. Then: turning to the old people who stood together before the mantel, delighted. ly watching him, he said a- " Bet you my angel twin ain't as- hamed, of he's a-looken' down on ins to -day." 1 ' • i „ • ‘,,,,. • //i/tht 1 f Oh/ I/0 -- illpiii _ . 11111111"; 611,11111= ---, —._ , ,Ir;-)! - ,•-• , ii, • ' "......::;1..... -, .. -- ---- - s. ...**.'"":7.; ,— .!..- , 11/11 ‘6,1,im i.i ill/11P ,11/4// /111/11111111 W f lh . 'I' fi A I I iSSONSOM/MteSE iii‘ fiffaafflig qt. ll , '11 II I i.D pr 01(;)-17 .. NOW CVI-1.t-N THE -STOCKING'S OF?. Y IN THE FAIRY TALE'S f.IN tiff /\51 -IE 5 FROM se-vgN MI. TO VEli' HAVE -TA'WEN 8REA WI-tY, ,TI -1 E'. YOU Til WAS IN' A RA FEW 'VVEITE ON-. I T Ail\JD i NEVER' TO ENTICE. UNCLE: IT P.L.AYE OWN TOE' ART' 'CLC f.3 UT COts Ir.,- ANY S HOULD E. V EN HEA H A V E' Iz' L A 6 U L'D ff' 0,\I E. TT Td 0 LET T -HE F'A RROT GET: UNTO PROVED TO Eiff -1-1-I03 E SAlv/E" ONE HAD Pr SMALL PA TR' 7— Y, 0 F C E3EFORE Cf—IRISTMAS /JAI f3 .. q• d' 'IL 01 1.1 , HOLIDAY PUZZLE. Put a piece of thin paper over the turkey in the platter, eracing the outline of the turkey. then cutting it out with sciseors. Ilhere are two positions in which cue turkey can be placed over the letters of the tablete-ench padtion with the neck Uppenaten-adel; when properly placed, two. seasonahle greetiege may lie found, by taking the letters ;Melo the border of the teteeey; coMmencing fa, top of neck each time, rending • along the right edge, :trotted the tail, end hack to sternag letter. Time first, greeting contains twenty-two letters; the second', twenty. • ANSWERS TO; "HOLIDAY PUZZLE," GnEETIXO.-Place the neck of turkey over the' letter "II" in the word "GREAT," fou1 th. line from top, ;toil 0v:I 13.11 (Wee letter "It" in "PAR'IT," next to bottom hue, obtainiug-"MERRY CHRIS. nelAS GREETING." • Secosp Gee ErrinoaaPlace neck Over letter "Y" iii ".T011.Y," next to top line; the teil over keter "L" in "PLAGUED," fifth line from. Umtata; etut trill receive - 'WISH YOU A HAPPY, NEW YEAR." eeeh had the money. I would willingly try it again. So long." When Mellish came in and saw that the game was over he asked where Pony was. 2,. .x fhLoBill flitkr ImY dfi. and thn "He knew when he had enough, I guess," answered Bert. He's gone home." "Come in here, Bert, I want to speak with you," said Mellish. When they were alone Mellish turn- ed to him. "I suppose Pony didn't tell you where the money is to come from ?" "No, he told you. That was en- ough for me." "Well, there's no reason why you should not know now. I promised silence till the game was finished. He's iesured his life for $100,000 anti is go- ing to commit suicide so that you may be paid." "My God I" cried Bert, aghast. "Why did you let the game go on?" "I tried to stop it, but I had given my word and you—" "Well, don't let us stand chattering here. He's let the Metropolitan, isn't he ? Then come along. Hurry into your coat." Mellish knew the number of Ho- well's room and so no time was lost in the hotel office with enquiries. He tried the door, but, as he expected, it was locked. "Who's that ?" cried a voice within. "It's me -Mellish. I want to speak With you a moment." "I don't want to see you." "Bert wants to say something. It's Important. Let us in." '1'1 won't let ou in. Go away and don't make a fuss. It will do no good. You can get in in about ten minutes." "Look here, Pory, you open that door at once, or 1'11 kick it in. You hear me ? I want to see you a min- ute, and then you can do what you like," said Bert in a voice that meant business. ' After a moment's hesitation Rowell opened the door and the two stepped in. Half of the carpet had been taken up and the bare floor covered with old newspapers. A revolver was on the table, also writing materials and a half -finished -leiter. Pony was In his shirt sleeves and he did not seem pleased at the interruption. " What do you want ?" he asked shortly. " Lcok here, Pony," said Bert, "I have confessed to Mellish and Wye come to confess to you. I want you to be easy with me and hush the thing up. I cheated. I stockedsthe cards," "You're a liar," said -Howell, look- ing him straight in the eye. "Don't say that again," cried Ran,L stock, with his fingers twitching. "There's mighty few men I Would take take that from." "You stocked the cards on me? I'd like to see tne man that could do it." "You were excited and you didn't notice it." • "You're not only a liar, but you're an awkward liar. I have loet the nit ney and I'll pay it. It would have been ready for you now, only I had a letter to write. 'Mellish has told you about the insurance policy and my will attached to it. Here they are. They're yours. I'm no kicker. I know when a game's played fair." Bert took the policy and evidently intended to tear it in pieces, while Mellish, with a wink at him, edged around so as to get at the revolver. Ragstock's eye Caught the name in big letters at the head of the policy, beautifully engraved. His eyes open- ed wide, then he sank into a chair and roared with laughter. Both the other men looked at hint in astonishment. " What's the matter ?" asked Mel- lish. " Matter? Why this would have been a' joke on Pony. It would do both of you some good to know a lit- tle about business as well as of gam- blirg. The Hardfast T4 ife Insurance Company went smash six months ago. It's the truth this time, Pony, even if I didn't stock the cards. Better make - some enquiries in business circles be - fere you try to collect any money from this institutien. Now, Pony, order up the drinks, if anything can be bad at this untimely hour. Besides it's Christmas morning, so you are ex- pected to be hospitable. ., rye had all the excitement I want for one night, We'll call it square and- begin over again." AEON CROW'S CHRIST -NH POCKETS, BY RUTH MoENRRY STUART. His mother named him Solomon, be- cause, when he was a baby, he look- ed so wise; and then she called him Crow because he was so black. True, she got angry when the boys caught it up, but then it was too late. They knew more about crows than they did about Solomon and the name suited. His twin brother, who died when he was a day old, his mother had call- ed Grundy -just because, as she said, "Solomon an' Grundy b'longs together In de books." When the wee black boy began to talk he knew himself equally as Solo- mon or Crow, and so, when asked his atone, he would answer :-" Solomon Crow," and Solomon Crow he thence- ferth became. Crow was ten years old now, and he was so very black and polished and thin, and had so peaked and bright a face, that no one who had any sense of humour could hear him called Crow without smiling. Crow's mother, Tempest, had been a worker in her better days, but now she had grown fatter and fatter until she was so lazy and broad that her chief pleasure seemed to be sitting in her front door and gossiping with her neighbours over the fence, or in abus- ing or praising little Solomon, accord- ing to her mood. Tempest had never been very honest. When, in the old days, when she hired out as cook. and had brought "her dinner" home at night, the basket on her arm usually held enough for her- self and Crow and a pig and the chic- kens, with some to give away. She had not meant Crow to understand, but he was wide-awake, and his mother was his pattern. But this is the boy's story. It seemed best to tell a little about his n.other, so that, if he should some time do wrong things, we might all, writer and readers, be patient with him. He had been poorly taught. If we could not trace our honesty back to our mothers, how many of us would love the truth ? Crow's mother loved him very much -she thought. She would knock down any one who ever blamed him for any- thing. Indeed, when things went well, she would sometimes go sound asleep In the abor with her fat arm around him -very much as the mother cat be- side her lay half dozing while she licked her baby kitten. But if Crow was awkward or forgot anything -or didn't bring home money enough -her abuse was worse than any mother cat's claws. One of her worst taunts on such occasions was to say :-" Well, you is a low-down nigger, I must say. No- body, to look at you, would &neve you was twin to a angel !" or, "How you reckon yo' angel twin feels ef he's a- lookin' at YOU DOW ?" Crow had great reverence for his lit- tle lost mate. Indeed, he feared the displeasure of this other self who, he believed, watched him from the skies, quite as much as the anger of God. Sad to say, the good ford, whom most children love as a kind heavenly Father, was to noor little Solomon Crow only a terrible, terrible punisher 'of wrong, and the little boy trembled at His very name. He seemed to hear God's anger in the thunder or the winds, but In- the blue sky, the ,faithful stars, the opening flowers and sing- ing birds, in all loving kindness and friendship, lie never saw a heavenly Father's love. • He knew that some things were right and others wrong. He knew it was right to go out and earn dimes to buy the things needed in the cabin, but he equally knew it 'was 'wrong to get his mcney dishonestly. Crow was a very shrewd little boy, and he made money honestly in a number of ways that only a wide-awake boy -would thtnic about. 'When fig season came, in hot sum- mer time, be happened to notice that beautiful ripe figs were drying up on the tip top of some great trees in a neighbouring yard, where a steut old gentleman and his old wife lived alone, and he began to reflect. " If I could get hold o' de fine su gar figs dat's a-sevivelire up every day top 0' dem trees, I'd meck a heap 0' money peddlin' em. And even sterile he thought this thought he licked -.his lips. There were, no doubt, °thew attractions about the figs for a small boy with a sweet tooth. On the very next morning after this, Crow. rang the front bell of the yard where the figs grew. Want a boy to pick figs on sheers" That was all he said to the fat old gen Ileroan who had stepped around the house in answer to his ring. Crow's offer was timely. 010 Mr. Cary was red in the face and panting now from reaching up into the mouldy, demo lower limbs of his fig trees, try- ing to gather a dishful for breakfast. fe%Choeinade aosn'h"e steokes.aid, mopping his 'iaviossekssniot ,nii ..yairrshares, will you ?" vi:ry:Prarosimpsfeirs.,fle,gs9,, ynever to pick any bu the Honest boy 7" " Yassin" " Turn in, then; but wait a minute." He stepped aside into the house, re- turning Presently with two baskets. "Here." he said, present bah. "Thee are pretty near them beth. Size. Go ahead, now, and let's see what You can do." Needless to say, Crow proved a great success as a fig picker. The very sugary figs that old Mr. Cary had ranted and reached for in vain lay bursting with sweetness on top of the leaskete. The old gentleman and his wife were delighted, and the boy was ouickly en- gaged to come every morning. And btheissineevsass. how Crow went into the fig Crow was ae likeable boy -so bright arid handy and quick, and the old people soon pecame food of him. They noticed that he always hand- ed in the larger of the two baskets, keeping the smaller for himself. He seemed. indeed, not enly honest, but generous. But— Poor little Soloman Crow I It is a pity to have to write it, but his weak point was that he was not quite hon- est. He wanted to be, Just because his angel twin might be watching him, and he was afraid of thunder. But Crow was so anxious to be "smart" that he had long ago begun doing " tricky " things. Even the men working the roads discovered this. In eating Crow's "trash -boiled crawfish," or "shrimps," they would come across cne of the left -overs of yesterday's supply, mixed with the others, and a yesterday's shrimp is full of stomach- aehe and indigestion. So that bust- aeSS suffered, In the lig business the ripe ones told well, but when one of Crow's custom- ers offered to buy all he would bring of green ones for preserving Crow be- gan filling his basket nith them and putting a layer of ripe ones over them. His lawful share of the very ripe he also carried away in his little bread basket. This was all very dishonest, and Crow knew it. Still he did it many times. And then -see how one thing leads to another -and then, one day -oh, Solomon Crow, I'm ashamed to tell it on you I One day he noticed that there were fresh eggs in the henhouse nests -quite near the trees. Now, if there was anything Crow liked it was a fried egg -two fried eggs. He al- ways said he wanted two on his plate at once, looking at him like a pair of round eyes, "an' when cloy reco'nies me I eats 'em Me." Why not slip a few in the bottom of the basket and cover them up with ripe figs ? And so one day he did. it. He stopped at the dining -room door that day, and was handing in the larger basket, as usual, when old Mr. Cary, who stood there, said, smiling :- "No, give us the smaller basket TO- &ty, my boy." It's our turn to be acnerous." He extended his hand as he spoke. -Mr. Cary kept his hand out wait- ing, but still Crow stood as if paralys- ed, gaping and swallowing. Finally he began lo blink. And then he said :- " I ain't p-p-pertielar 'b -b -bout de big basket D -d -d -de best figs is in y'all's pickin'-in dis, de big basket." Crow's appearance was conviction It- self. Without more ado Mr. Cary grasped his arm firmly and fairly lift- ed him into the room. "Now, set those baskets down," he said sharply. The boy obeyed. "Here! empty the larger one on this tray. That's it. All fine, ripe figs. You've picked well for us. Now turn the other one out." At this poor Crow had a sudden re- lapse of the dry gapes. His arm fell limp, and he looked' as if he might tumble over. "Turn 'em out !" shrieked the old gentleman in so thunderous a tone that Crow jumped off his feet, and, seizing the other basket with his lit- tle shaking paws, he emptied it upon the heap of figs. Old Mrs. Cary had come in just in time to see the eggs roll out of the basket; and for a moment she and her husband looked at each other and then at the boy. She asked him a good many ques- tions -some very searching ones, too - all of which Crow answered as best he could with his very short breath. His first feeling had been .pure fright. And uhen he found he was not to be abused -not beaten or sent tg jafl-he began to wonder. Little Solomon Crow, 10 years old, in a Christian land, was hearing for the first time in his life that God loved him -loved birn even now in his sin and disgrace, and wanted him to be good. " Has no one ever told you. Solomon" -she had always called him Solomon, declaring that Crew was no lit name for a boy who looked as he did-" has no one ever told you, Solomon," she said. "that God loves all His little children a-nd that you are one of these little children ?" "No, ma'am," he answered with dif- ficulty. And then, as if catching at something that might give him a lit- tle standing, he added quickly -so quickly that he stammered again :- " B -b -but I knowed I was twin to a el gel. I know dat. An' I know at my angel twin seen me tech dem aigs he'll be mighty aen to tell Gord to strike me down daid." Of course he•had to explain then about the "angel -twin," an.d the old lady talked for a long time to him. And then together they knelt down. When at last they came out of the library, she held the boy's hand and led him to her husband. " Are you willing to try him again, WIlliam ?" ..,he anied. " He has pro- mised to do better," Old Mr. Cary cleared his throat and laid down his paper. " Don't deserve It he began; "dirty litle thief." A.nd then he tinned to the boy :-- Inliat have you got on. sir ?" His voice was really quite terrible, " Nothin'; only but des my brichea , an' jacket. an' skin," Crow replied bo- tweee gasps. "How many pot:Lets ?" Hhroe ,"MaaiciC nv I":)reoiwts r d. " Turn 'ern out Crow drew out bis little rust -stain- ed i)oclects, dropping a few old nails and bits of twine upon the floor as he did so. " larn-lem Well powI Il tell you. You're a dirty little thief, as said ^before. I'm going to treat you as one If you wear those pockets hang- ing out or rip 'em out, and corns in here before you leave every day dress- ed just as you are -pants and jaeket and skin -and 'turn out your. basket for Us before YOU go -W -11A I'M satis- fied you'll do betteighnou can come." tThehcas if she thought him pretty hard on nothing ovienrayl. d d:l looked hsy. at i3uht$ she, husbandsaid Crow glanced appealingly at her be- fleogrehaisnspweeekrientg:._ Then he said, Betz- lad'ziIsr you got air pair o' seissors, Mrs. Cary wished her husband would relent even when she brought the sets - Sons, but he only cried :- " Out with am 1" " Suppose YOU cut them out yourself, Solomon," she said, kindly, handing hint the scist cas. You'll have alt this work to do yourself. We can't make you good." When, after several awkward et- fcrts, Crow finally ut the coarse little pocketsin liar hands, there were tears In her eyes, and she tried to hide them as she leaned over and gathered up his treasures, nails and string and broken tea. As she handed themto; him, she said :-" And I'll lay the when we see that you, Solomon: ant when we gee that you are an honest boy I'll sew them back for you my - Self; she spoke she rose, divided the figs evenly between the two baskets and handed one to Crow. If there ever was a serious little black boy on God's beautiful earth it was little Solo- mon Crow as he balanced his basket of figs on his head and went out the gate that day. The next few weeks were not without trial to the boy. Old. Mr. Cary con- tinued very stern, even following him to the gate, as if he dare not trust him to t'eo out alone. And when be closed itaf ter him be would say :- " Good menthe, sir !" That was all. Little Crow dreaded that walk to the gate more than all the rest of the or- deal. And yet, in a way, it gave him courage. He was at least worth. while, and with time and patience he would win back the lost faith of the friends who were kind to him even while they could TiOt trust him. They were, indeed, kind and generous in many ways, both to him and his un- worthy mother. Fig time was soon nearly over, and, of course, Crow expected a dismissal; but it was Mr. Cary himself who set there fears at rest by proposing to him to come daily to bPaeken his boots and to keep the garden walk in order for regular wages, " But," he waened him, in closing. "don't you shear your face here with a pocket on you. If your heavy pante have any in 'em, rip 'em out." And then he added, severely :-" You've - been a very bad boy." " Yassir," answered Crow, "I know' X is. I been a heap wusser boy'n you knowd I was, too.' "What's that you say, sir ?" Crow repeated it. And then he add- ed for full confession :- " I picked green figs, heap o' days,, an' layered 'ern up wid ripe ones, area sol"em to a white 'Oman fur per.. " There was something des- perate in the way he blurted it all out. " The dickens you did I And what are you telling me for ?" Ile eyed the boy keenly as he put the question. At this Crow fairly wailed aloud :- " 'Case I ain't gwine do it no mo'e. And throwing his arms azainst the - door sill, he sobbed as if his little heart would break. For a moment old Mr. Cary seemed to have lost his voice, and then he said in a voice quite new to Crow :- " I don't believe you will, sir, I don't believe you will." And in a minute he said, still speaking gently :-" Cornet here boy." Still weeping aloud. Crow obeyed. " Tut, tut I No crying I" he began. "Be a man -be a man. And if you stick to it, before Christmas come - we'll see about those pockets, and you can walk into the new year with your head up. But look sharp t Good -by, now." For the first time since the born fall Mr. Cary did not follow him te the gate. Maybe this was the be- ginning of trust. Slight a thing as It was, the boy took comfort in it. At last it was Christmas Eve. Crow' was on the back " gallery " putting a final polish on a pair of boots. He was nearly done, and his heart was beginning to sink, when the old lady came and stood near him. There was a very hopeful twinkle in her eye as she said presently :-" I wonder what' our little shoeblack, who has been try- ing so hard to be good, would like for his Christmas gift ?" But Crow only polished the faster and blinked. "Tell me, Solomon," she insisted. "if you had one wish, what would it be ?" The boy wriggled nervously, and. then he said :- "You knows. Needle -an' thrade- an'-you knows, lady. Pockets." " Well, pockets it shall be. Come Lit my room when you get through." The old lady sat beside the fire read- ing as he went in. Seeing hint she nodded, smiling, toward the bed, upon. which Crow saw a brand new suit of clothes, coat, vest, and breeches, sit spread out in a row. "There, my boy," she said; "there are your pockets. Crow had never in all his life owned' a full new suit of clothes. All lila "new" things had been second-hantt. and for a moment he could not quite believe his eyes, but ne went quickly ta- ttle bed and began passing his httnde over the clothes. Then he ventured to take up the vest and to turn H. over. And now he began to find' pockets. 'Three pockets in de yes -two in de pants -an' -an' fo', no five, no sitxh-elrusxt poncletetgsigirgiledde fc000altish!"ly as he his little black lingers into one ante then another. And then, suddenly overcome with a sense of the situaa tion, he turned to Mrs. Cary, and, in 4 voice that trembled a little-:--." is you sho you, ain't 'feered to trus' me wid all daze pockets, lady ?" It doesn't take a small bol'- long to slip into a new suit, and when a rag- ged urchin disappeared behind the head of the great old "tour -poster" to -day, it seemed s'earcely a minute before a, trig, "tailor-made boy " strutted out the opposite side, hands deep, in pockets, breathing hard. A.5 Solomon Crow strode up and - down the room, racaia,nt with Joy, he 'seemed for the moment quite uncon- apious of any one's presence. But presently he stopped, looked involune tartly upward a minute, as if he felt himself observed from above. Then: turning to the old people who stood together before the mantel, delighted. ly watching him, he said a- " Bet you my angel twin ain't as- hamed, of he's a-looken' down on ins to -day."