Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-???? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 1909)
I Tom's Best Christmas By Archit P. McKishnie ID UP PI Copyright by th Author Tom Lawrence shook bis fist under the grocery keeper's nose. "You try and stop me and I'll fix you," he threatened, . "even If I have to do time for it. You trying to hold a fellow away from his people this way, and it Christmas Eve, too. Why. the old man and the old woman will be right glad to see their little boy again." He laughed wheezingly and leaned weakly against the counter. "You can't keep me from feeding on the fatted calf. Josh. I'm going to walk In on the old folks to-night, just like the wild, wayward sons you read about do. You never hear of them getting the cold hand, do you?" A fit of coughing choked the laugh ter from his voice, and when he lift ed his face it was gray-white beneath the lamplight. The big grocer laid aside the pack age he was tying, and walked around the counter. "Come here, Tommie," he said, op ening the door of the inner room. The young man slouched forward obediently. "Say, Josh," he whined, "cut It out, I'm tired of being preached to. Won't you get me a little whisky. Just one drink?" he pleaded. "See, I'm all broke up, and I'm going home to-night. Six years of the life I've led wears derstand you'd got a big position out west. I'm afraid I wrote 'em a letter from you, Tommie, tellln' "em all about it and askin' forgiveness for not biddln' 'em good-by." The other nodded his head on his breast. "You were always a big-hearted fool, Josh," he said, hoarsely. "I can't understand why you won't get me a little whisky." "I remember their faces when they read that letter," said the grocer, heaving a big chunk on the fire. "I remember how glad they both was. Your ma said you'd be writin' again soon and let them know how you liked it. Well, you did." "I wrote again, did I?" "Yep, you wrote every week you've been away, and that's how long let's see?" "Six years ago, day after to-norrow, Josh." "You sent some money home, too," continued the big man, after an in terval of silence. "Quite a little bit of money. Fifty dollars once, and a ten-spot every now and again." The speaker laughed queerly, his face working. "Only last night they got a letter from you, Tommie, with $50 In it. Christmas box, I think you called it." Something like a sob came from the bowed figure. "Your pa most always read your let ters to the neighbors. They're right glad you're doing so well. Every Christmas Eve your ma and him come over here and buy a Christmas turkey with the money you send them I al ways have a laugh at your pa. "I'll eat Tommle's share," he says. " 'Cause it's next best thing to bavin' him home. We're right proud of our Tom mie,' he always ends. They've been writing you, too, every week regular. I read all their letters, 'cause I have to in order to know how to answer them. They got a letter from you last night with their Christmas money in one, Josh, wear one right down to the 1 heart and soul, and this cough " He sank down on a seat before the fire, his slim fingers gripping his chest "Sit there and get good and warm. I'll be back in a minute." The gro cer slipped out, locked the door after him, and went behind the counter. Customers had come in and we?e waiting to be attended to. The grocer drew a tall young man to one side. "Jim," he said, "I want you to help me out. Qo behind and serve them customers. I don't care if you haven't never sold groceries; do your best. Don't be particular about weights. Give everybody Christmas measure. I've got to stay away for a spell, 'cause " He whispered something in the young man's ear. His hearer started. "Why, they think " he commenced; but the grocer laid a big hand on his arm. "I know what they think; and, whatever you do, keep what I've told you to yourself. I don't know what to do, but I'll find out a way. When they come, call me. I'll be In here." Lawrence lifted his white face from his hands as the grocer entered. "Have you got it?" he questioned eagerly. The big man Bat down, fa cing him. "I want to have a little chat with you, Tommie," he said, gently. "You remember when you were a youngster at home here, how we used to chat together and have a mighty good time of it, don't you?" His hearer made a grimace. "I want a drink," he said, shortly. "You remember how you used to come down for the mall, Tommie, and I'd have you come In and help sort the letters?" An expression that was almost a smile dawned slowly across the boy's haggard face. "I remember we used to Imitate one another's handwriting, Josh," he said, slowly. "Yes, and I got at last so's I could write Just like you, Tommie. Remem ber you used to tell me you could al most believe it was your own writin'?" "I remember. Josh. Go on. There's something behind all this. I'm waiting to hear it." "When you got into trou ble over at Max ton's and " "And skipped. Yes. Well, go. on, can't you?" "Well, somehow, the matter was hushed up and kept from your old folks. Maxton never said anythln', and we gave your pa and ma to un- ARE YOU DEALING WITH THEM? THE HOME MERCHANTS. it, and they've answered it already. Here's their letter with your address on it. May! .- "ou'd like to read it?" The your' man reached out a sha king hand lor the letter. The other watched his face as he read. When a tear fell with a splash on the cramped writing, the grocer spoke again. "You can send me to jail for doln' what I've done, Tommie. In one way it was wrong, very wrong. I've been guilty of openln' letters." The other held up a thin hand as though to ward off a blow. Then he rose weakly and came over to the big man. "Josh, old Josh," he spoke trem blingly. "You've been you are Oh, I'll make it all up to you some day," he broke out, lifting his head. "I'm going to be a man. I know I'm not fit to go to them now. I've been drunk for days! But promise me you will take me to them soon, Josh." "Day after to-morrow night is the anniversary of your goin away. We'll go then," promised the grocer with a big smile. He took the boy's hand. "I'm goin' now. You just lie down on the sofa here. You'll stay at my place until after Christmas. He moved to ward the door. Then he turned. "Shall I fetch you anythln'?" he asked gently. "Nothing," answered the young man, smiling. "I'm perfectly satis fled, Josh." An hour later the grocer carried an armful of groceries and threw them into the back of the sleigh. "Merry Christmas to you both, Mrs. Law rence," he cried, tucking the robes about the old couple. The old man chuckled, and the old lady, glancing about her fearfully, bent forward, hes itated, bent forward again, and kissed the big man on his broad forehead. "God bless you," she said, gladly. "uoa Diess you ior senain' ror our Tommie. I'm right glad you think him so smart." The grocer laughed awkwardly. "Yep, Tommie's goin' to work for me," he called. And with his heart in harmony with the jingling bells, he passed into his store. A Christmas Cynic. A woman's idea of doing charity work is to get somebody else to give the money for it. It's very annoying to a girl to meet a man she likes when the color of the feathers on her hat doesn't har monize with his ' cravat. New York Press. We want to call attention to our advertisers. Are you deal ing with them? They are the ones who are making this pa per possible and are demon strating in the only way prac ticable that they want your trade. They deserve it and should get it. Are you trading with merchants who refuse to patronize these columns? If so, you are defeating the purposes of this paper, which Is to aid you in keeping fair living con ditions. If a merchant wants your patronage we know of no better way to demonstrate It than for him to say so through these columns. Please keep in mind and watch the regular change of advertisements. Our advertisers are giving you the best goods at the lowest rates. We pride ourselves on the se lect quality of our advertisers. . UNION PRINT SHOPS. Printeries That Are Entitled to Uss the Allied Trades Label. Following Is a list of the printing offices in Lincoln that are entitled to the use of the Allied Printing Trades label, together with the num ber of the label used by each shop: Jacob North & Co., No. 1. Chas. A. Simmons, No. 2. Freie Presse, No. 3. Woodruff-Collins, No. 4. Graves & Payne, No. 5. State Printing Co., No. 6. k Star Publishing Co., No. 7. . Western Newspaper Union, No. 8. Wood Printing Co., No. 9. Searle Publishing Co., No. 10. Kuhl Printing Co., No. 25. George Brothers, No. 11. McVey, No. 12. Lincoln Herald, No. 14. New Century Printers, No. ' 17. Gillispie & Phillips, No. 18. Herburger, The Printer, No. 20. Van Tine Printing Co., No. 24. Concord Cream Mint. Put into a porcelain lined saucepan two cupfuls of sugar and a half cupful of water. After It commences boiling cook exactly eight minutes. Take from the fire, add eight drops pepper mint essence, stir hard and drop from the end of a spoon on to waxed paper. I u SPECIAL THIS WEEK 3 blade, stag handle knife, regular price 65c, at .50c Lady's Pearl Handle Knife, best steel blade, regular 60c, at 40c Carvers 1 Good Ones, as jow as $1.50 Others, genuine stag handles silver trim med $2.50 to $10 We sell "Meriden" Goods the best steel made SCISSORS make acceptable gifts, all kinds and sizes 10c to $2.00 SLEDS Something new in a sled with steel runners that fold under the seat ; strong and easy to manage ; a winner with the boys, only. .$1.75 Other styles 50c and up. Steel Wagons, Irish Mails, Velocipedes. A SAFETY RAZOR will please the man. Gem, Jr., and Every Ready, 7 to 12 blades, only, each .$1.00 GILLETTE Traveling sets, complete in nice leather case 1 . ... . .$5.00 Other sets ... ....... .$2.50 and $3.50 POCKET KNIVES Waterville hand forged steel blades; every one guaran ted, from 25c to $2.50 Skates are an inexpensive gift, and nothing pleases a boy' or girl more. THE OLD RELIABLE BARNEY & BERRY make in all styles, from 75c to $2.50 Hockey Sticks .10c to 50c Chafing Dishes $4.50 to $12 Nickel Baking Dishes $1.25 and up Aluminum Coffee Pots, Skillets, Waffle Irons, Carriage and Auto Foot warmers. Chafing Dishes HALL BROS. COMPANY 1517 O STREET, LINCOLN NEB. M -3 1 Gas Meters are not the design of the Devil; they are made by honest peo ple: for honest people to measure a commodity everyone uses. In Lincoln the Gas is about as cheap as water, The city tests water me ters and will, upon request, test Gas meters. Phone them about it. Lincoln Gas & Electric Light Company I