University of South Carolina Libraries
? ?se The Spirit o (J. J. Boll, lu Becei Whllo Gilbert Steel glanced through the letters which the evening post had just delivered, his friend, Harry Newlands, allowed his eyes to stray around che apartment, now fra grant with the aroma of bis host's excellent after-dinner cigars. It was not the first time Harry had spent an evening in the library of bis friend's bouse, and bis eyes encount ered nothing unfamiliar. Yet, some how, to-night bis host seemed moro than ever out of placo amid all the costly cosiness and elegant luxury. It was not, however, Steel's Ill-fitting tweed garments, keen, gloomy count enance and hard, sinewy hands that suggested to the younger man a dingy draughtsman's office or a grimy building a th rob with tho clank and clatter and whirr of machinery. .Newlands had long associated Iiis friend with these places, and now lt was only In the natural course of things that, the successful inventor should have purchased for himself a home in keeping with his great income. Rather was it tho curious chilliness of manner and bitterness of speech that had been in evidence during tho recent faultless and fault lessly served repast. Gilbert Steel, who was now nearer forty than thir ty, had never been what one could call an amiable man, but the chilli ness and bitterness be had always succeeded in keeping from Newlands, except possibly during a particularly desperate period in bis struggle for success. Harry, whose warmth of heart and generous instincts were likely to pre clude any important success-in the commercial sonso of tho term, at least-was wondering rather sadly what these wintry signs might, por tend, when Gilbert tossed the letters upon a table with the muttered syl lable, "Trash!" "Moro Invitations, Gilbert?" "Same thing." Steel gave a short laugh. "By this time," said tho guest, ig noring the other's Ill-humor, "you must be well booked up for Christ mastide." "I am not accepting invitations for Cb ristmastide." Harry checked a question, and helped himself to a cigarette. Gil bert pitched thc end of a cigar into the fire. "Can you tell mo why all those people are inviting mo to dinners and dances?" The other paused in the act of striking a match. "Why, because they want you at their dinners and dances -*" Rot!" Harry regarded his friend with resentment, "ls lhere anything the matter, old chap?" he ventured at last. Gilbert waved tho inquiry aside. "I'll ask you another question," he said. 'Why didn't they invite me last year, and a good many years be fore that?" "Oh. well-" Harry best I ta ted, be ginning to understand. He laughed, not quite easily. "You must remem ber you've become a famous man, Gilbert." "Rot, again! I've made a blt of money-that's all. And that's also the answer to my first question." "Oh! I shouldn't say that," remon strated the other. "What would you say? Those peo ple knew mo as well ten years ago as they do to-day-better, indeed. Every one of them is an old friend." This was a sneer. "As you know, I've had no time for making new friends. But tho old friends care fully dropped me when they saw me, as they thought, beggaring and mak ing au ass of myself in my own way, instead of sticking to my rich uncle's soft-goods business. They were per fectly entitled to do so, of course." "But might the-, not say that you dropped them?" "Certainly-as soon as I saw their superior contempt for my self-im posed poverty. And now they are requesting the pleasure, etcetera, lt's pretty sickening - contempt i ble." Harry found it difficult to reply. "Anyway. I wouldn't let the thing embitter mo." he ventured. And you might, perhaps, put some, at least, of tho Invitations down to the Christ mas spirit." "Christmas fudge! How many Christmases have I boon left to eat my chop In lodgings? How many-" "Had I not been abroad-" "1 know, I know," said Steel more gently. "I could always have count ed on yon. Harry. But I'm not com plaining of anything In the past, lt's the present. I tell you. I wish i could have concealed the fact that I had made money, though I'm neither miser nor ascetic -merely a fellow who has worked and is quite keen on enjoying tho results. But you can't conceal your riches or poverty Jn those days. They aro tho chief f Christmas. <? ?ber Housewife.) subjects of conversation-for the people of our class, at any rate." "You ought to be Jolly proud of what you've dono," put In Harry. "Nice cigarettes, those." "I am proud of what 1'vo done willoh was moro than tho mere mak ing of some money. That becomes rather humiliating In view of these." He jerked his head In tho direction of tho unfortunate invitations." "Seems to me there's a good deal of snobbery about tho modern Christ mas spirit." Ho halted, and then said suddenly: "I suppose you've got to go North for your Christmas, Harry?" "Yes. I shall be away for two days. You are dining with me on tho twenty-sixth, remember." Steel nodded. The other caught a wistful look on bis face ere it passed. "Don't spend another lonely Christmas, old man," he said softly. "I don't believe you would regret accepting ene of those invitations." Steel got up and ran through some papers on his desk, also those lately Mung on the table. He came hack to the fireside with several, which he handed to his friend. "I (ind I have four invitations lor Christinas dinner. You know the people, or at least who they aro. Il' you can extract any Christmas spirit, pure and simple, from any ol' these lour invitations. I'll reconsider my decision." Harry inspected tho invitations. Ile could not have said a word against any of tho senders, and all the dinners, he knew, would be sump tuous indeed. Yet his countenance fell. To gain time, perhaps, bo ask ed what Gilbert precisely incant by Christinas spirit. "Kindness of heart," Gilbert gruff ly replied. "The Christmas spirit, pure and simple." Harry silently returned tho let ters. " 'Better a dinner of herbs where love ls,' " tho host murmured, a lit tlo mockingly, lt may have been. "Can't you get me an Invitation writ ten out of sheer kindness of heart, Harry?" be went on. "I shouldn't mind pity for my lonely state. I shouldn't mind posing as a failure in lifo. I know that you're a staunch believer in tho Christmas spirit, and I-well, I haven't denied its exist ence. But can you prove Its exist ence apart from families, friends like ourselves, lovers, children and mere regulation charity? Can you find any person to ask mo to dinner on Christmas Day on no other grounds - no other grounds, mind you-than that person's kindness of heart for a human being loft out In thc cold?" "Give me time," said his friend. "Let's talk of something else." "Oh! I don't intend to refer to the matter again," Gilbert returned, carelessly, an'1 did most of tho talk ing for the .est of the evening. It was when Harry was leaving that be said: "If I get you the invi tation you have suggested, on the conditions you have named, will you, without fail, accept it?" Gilbert laughed. "Without fail, O, my champion of the Christmas spirit! But be sure it is puro and simple! " The friends met frequently during the ensuing three weeks, but, despite Gilbert's chaffing and somewhat ironic Inquiries concerning tho Christ mas spirit, pure and simple, Harry refused to be drawn on the subject. On the evening of tilt? twenty-third, however, he presented himself at his friend's house, ile brought with him a largo bag. He was traveling North that night. "Well," he began, when they were seated In tho library, "I've got you that Invitation. I've also accepted it for you." Ho produced an envelope and handed it to his friend. It was ad dressed to "A339-Courier Office." Gilbert extracted a letter, written clumsily on paper of poor quality. It was dated from a quarter uf the city which he knew to ho neither fashionable nor plutocratic. He road: "Sir: My wife and mo will be pleased lo seo you hero on Christmas Day for a blt of din ner. We take it at 1 p. m. for to suit the children. We have seven of a family. Hoping that will be enough, Yours truly, ".lohn Wedd." "1\ S. -You will bo welcome." Al tho first reading Gilbert smiled ; at the second he beca nie grave, "I don't <iuiie understand," he said. Harry handed over a slip of papel ?n which was pasted five lines cut from a newspaper. Gilbert glanced at ll. "Upon my word!" ho ejaculated, The printing ran as follows: "Gentleman in unfortunate circum stances would he grateful for in vltation to dinner on Christmas Day. Large family preferred. A339, Courier Office." "I ehoso the flourier because it hadu't too big a circulation," said Harry calmly. "I was afraid of be ing inundated. As it is. I've had a good deal of correspondence, though not altogether on lines expected. As a matter of fact, that is the only in vitation-tho only proof of the ex istence of the Christmas spirit, pure and simple, that I felt would satisfy you in tho circumstances." "You mean that this-this Invita tion is In reply to this advei Use men t of yours?" "CJuito so. As I said, I have ac cepted it-using your name, without any address. Walt a moment, old man. I have also got to tell you that I have received the sum of eighty five dollars and seventy-five cents In contributions varying from a dino to five dollars." "Oh. I say "Some of die contributions were accompanied 'hy exceedingly kind notes, others by excellent advice. I have written letters of thanks io all who supplied their names and ad dresses, and, after serious considera tion, have handed tho cash to a friend of mino who knows plenty of gentlemen in unfortunate circum stances. You're not annoyed with what 1 have done-are you, Gilbert?" ' "Oh, I daresay you meant it well." Gilbert answered, somewhat ungra ciously. "And. of course, I practi cally challenged you to get me a cer tain kind of invitation. Still, may I ask what yon meant by 'Large family preferred ?' " Harry was looking decidedly crest fallen. "People with large families have big tables." he replied, lamely, and frequently big hearts. But my real reason was that I might have a hand in ibo affair." He hesitated a moment and proceeded in guilty fashion: "I left a bag in your hall just, now, which I wisli you would take with you on Christmas Day. You can leavo lt to bo opened after your departure. .Merely some toys and things for the-cr-family." Gilbert got up and held out his hand. "You are worth a dozen of me, Harry," lie said. "Oh, rot!" raid Harry uncomfort ably. "By the way," ho went on pres ently, "1 went to tile address yester day afternoon, and spied around from Hie outside, I mean. Houso of two rooms and kitchen ii; dull side street. Windows cl fresh. Small girl at ? of baby; two smaller boys-far from immac a bit tidier than tho nei j, . dren. Got a glimpse of the mother; tired but good-tempered looking. Gathered from l?male in stationer's shop that John Wedd is foreman in a small engineering shop In the neigh borhood; so you and lie may find something to talk about. But-" Harry sigiied-"I wish I knew what you were going to get for dinner!" Gilbert looked at the letter in his hand. "Do you really think that mat ters?" he said, and Iiis voice was un usually soft. ***** .Mrs. Wedd, assisted by her eldest, a girl of fourteen, was busy in the kitchen. Mr. Wedd was busy in' tho small parlor, endeavoring to keep the baby in pleasant humor and at the same time restraining his sons from paw ing the clean tablecloth. The two little girls were engaged in breathing hard upon thc rainy window and watching for "the strange gentle man," whose coming had been tho chief topic of discussion for some days past, i: was nearly 1 o'clock. Since :?.:!0 the two little girls had sprung at least fifteen false alarms, and their father was finding it hard to prevent his nerves from getting tho better of his good nature. lt must not bo supposed that John Wedd and his wife had Invited thc stranger in haste only to repent of doing so at leisure. The pathetic advertisement bad appealed to their "FAGGED-OUT" WOMEN Will Find a Helpful Suggestion In This Letter. Overworked, run-down, "faggod out" women who feel as though they could hardly drag about, should profit by Miss Rich tor's exporlonco. Sho says: "Last winter I was cornpletoly run down and felt fagged out all tho timo, was nervous and had indiges tion. "Ono of my friends advised mo to tako Vlnol, and it has dono mo groat good. Tho UtKiil, worn-out fooling is nil gone, and I am strong, vigorous and well. The stomach troublo soon disappeared and now I eat heartily and have perfect digestion. I wish every tired, weak, nervous woman could havo Vinol, for I novor spent any money in my lifo that did mo so much good ns that I spent for Vinol." Marlo Richter, Dotrolt, Mich. Thousands of women and mon who woro formerly weak and ftlckly owo their present rugg? d health to tho wonderful strongth-creatlng effects of Vinol. Wo guaranteo Vinol to build you up and make you strong. If it does not. wo glvo back your monoy. J. W. Bell, Druggist, Walhalla, S. C. HAPPY GREETINGS To one and all we wish you a Merry Christinas and may you enjoy a feast of good things. The old year is fading, and we wish to again extend to you our most hearty thanks for your very generous patronage for the year 1912. Don't fail to visit our store and see what we have to off^r you for Holiday Gifts. Also take a look over our general line of Big Bargains in every thing, such as will be found in any other depart ment store in the large cities. Ladies'1 Dept. Coat Suits. It will pay you to see our line of Coat Suits and Long Coats before you make your purchase. Wc have the values that cannot be beat. Coats. Misses' and Children's Coats. You have the children, we have the Coats, let's get together. Best values in Tailored Shirt Waists, Shirts, Neckwear and Under wear for the least money. Clothing. Your boys can be fitted and pleas ed in a suit at our store at a great sav ing to you. We carry the very best of merchandise and the most up-to date styles to be had. The sizes we have are 3 to J 7 years, at prices from $2.00 to $7.50 the suit. Knee Pants, 3 to \ 7 years at prices from 50c to $ \ .75. Dry Goods. We carry thc best to be bought ard wc se?? the best Dry Goods cheap er than our competitors. So buy your merchandise from us and keep in line with the best dressed people-they trade with us. Shoes. Wc have the best Shoes that are made out of leather. We have them to fit man, woman or child. Our guarantee is that if we sell you a shoe that's not all solid leather, we will give you another pair of shoes and a dollar in cash-and if we can't sell you cheaper buy from some one else. Blankets. Blankets and Comforts. We have them and have them cheaper. For more and better merr^--J' for your money-SEE US ! C. W. PITCHFORD, WALHALLA, S. C. ? soft hearts with equal force. To i them it seemed a dreadful thing that a gentleman should have nowhere to go for his Christmas dinner-no mat ter what he might have done to merit such a fate. And there could not be much wrong with the gentleman who wanted to take his Christmas dinner with a laige family. So they had argued it out in bis favor, and John, with all his soul and mind, had pen ned the invitation. Xor bad it oc curred to either of them that the gentleman might be invited and go elsewhere. They expected him; they desired to make him cmfortnblc and happy with all the good cheer they possessed. Nor were they repenting now, though their circumstances bad al tered almost with tho posting of the Invitation. The treasurer of the slate-club to which John had con tributed throughout tho year de camped after applying tho funds to his own uses, and John, like hun dreds of his fellows, was left mourn ing for the money that was to have made Christmas merry. Happily this was far from spelling ruin to John, and ho was even able to face a sec ond disappointment which followed almost immediately. He had been practically certain of his advance in his wages at Christmas, but his em ployer at the last moment old him, frankly enough, that business wouldn't allow of it. Mrs. Wodd shed a few tears, and then proceeded to encourage and comfort her man. Life was not. always sweet, yet it was never bitter to these two. * * * * * Mrs. Wodd looked into the parlor. "No signs o' the old gontloman?" she inquired. She had quite made up her mind that Mr. Steel was aged possibly Infirm-and was prepared to be kind to him as to her own father. "Not yet," said John. "I hope nothln's come over him. Maybe be's got a longish way to come, and it's cruel wet weather.'* Ile glanced down at the child In his anns. "Blest If she hasn't gone to sleep, Tilly." "Well, that's one piece of luck any way," she returned, cheerfully, re lieving him of the small burden. "I'll go and put her to bed." Just then the bell rang. John questioned bis daughters at tho win dow. " 'Tis a man," replied the elder, "but bo's younger'n you, and be's got a bag." "Morey!" cried John, "be's comin' to stop. lint where's lie goin' to sleep, Tilly?" "Ob, never mind that now," said Tilly, though she was troubled, "lt* ho's goin' to stop, wo'll lind room. Don't keep him walt in', John. 'Tis Christmas Day." "To be sure." John turned to his children. "Mind what I've told you ? all," he said, referring to his exhor tations as to their behavior delivered 1 during the past three evenings and that morning, and went to the door. "Mr. John Wedd?" Inquired tho 'arrival, looking ready to run away. "That's me. Mr. Steel?" "Yes. It was very good of you to-" "Come In, como in! Welcome! Now then, kiddies, make room for the gentleman," cried John, for the children's curiosity had been too much for their shyness, and they were thronging tho passage. "I'ut your bag here, slr. And here's a nail for your coat and bat." "Thank you very much," said (fil bert awkwardly. "I'm afraid the bag's In the way," he went on as the youngest child fell over it, happily without painful results. "Looks as if I had come to stay"-he laughed feebly-"but I'm not going to try your goodness us far as that, Mr. Wodd." "You'd be very welcome, I'm sure. Xow, kiddies, let. tho gentleman pas? along into the parlor." Tlie gentleman, having passed into the parlor, was about to seat himself, when tho younger of the itttlo girls hurst into soft but dismal wailing and fled from the room. "Ma," they heard her cry at the kitchen door, "Ma, nobody said 'Merry Christmas' to the strango gentleman." "Blest if I didn't forget," cried Joh "Merry Christmas, slr, to bo sure, and glad to see you." Ile shook the guest's hand. "Come, kiddies." They came dutifully, murmured the old phrase, presenting little paws to tho stranger, and the leo, if not broken, was at least cracked in seve ral likely places. "The wife'll bo in In half a min ute," said John. "Sho's just dishhV the dinner. Sony lt didn't run to a bird this year, but there's gomo soup, and a blt o' beef, and tho pud din' lier mother always sends. We'll josi, make the best o' that--what do you say, slr?" Gil bert was not an emotional man. but for once ho let. the words come from his heart, as lie drew tho oldest boy to his knee. "A crust of bread (Continued on Third Page,) Heart Symptoms The ailments of women Include symptoms of heart trouble known as palpitation of the heart. The palpitation ls so violent at times as to be really painful and leads the patient to fear she has heart disease. Ninety per cent of s- nh cases ara not heart disease at all but only a symptom of a liver disorder which 1 s affected the normal action of the heart, and on applying the proper remedies die unusual throbbing ceases. The stomach and digestion need strengtnenlng and tho depressing effect of these disorders on the fernab organism must bo corrected. For thc latter purpose there ls no more effectlvo remedy to bo found anywhere than DR. SIMMONS Squaw Vine Wine It conveys a strengthening influence to tho delicate female organism, re-establishes regular and healthy periods, overcomes tho painful symptoms, builds up the nerves and puts the generative system In fino healthy condition. For the liver and bowel disorders ono or two doses of Simmons Liver Medicine ls all that Is needed. It clears tho stomach and bowels of Impurities, helps digestion and the proper nourishment of the body the result of which ls sound, healthy conditions all through tho system. Dr. Simmon* Squaw Vine Wine Ie Sold by all Dealer*-Price $1.00 C. r. SIMMONS MEDICINE CO., ST. LOUIS, MO. SODD AT DEIA7S DRUG STORK, WADIIADDA, S. C.