University of South Carolina Libraries
0-00000000000000003 h Uncle || xj Josiah's j| |j Christmas jo fi By GRAHAM LINGFIELD {l 0 . . :J 0 oooooooooooooooooo (Copyright, 1919, McClure Newspaper Syny dlcate.) J HE street cars were crowded and the little man standing on the sidewalk hitched the collar of his coat a bit higher and allowed the n-nmpn anri children. *1 with arms laden with ? parcels, to clamber ftSfr aboard ahead of him. J It was Christmas eve, @ ?> and the holiday spirit was all about him. Not that Josiah MIggs had been Christmas shopping. Oh, no. He was just on his way from business. . He took another wistful peep at the girl on the hoarding opposite and resigned himself to seeing another loaded car go by without stopping. The fact of the matter was that Jos Miggs was about the loneliest little old man N is little old Manhattan, and silly as It may sound, he had adopted a girl en a hoarding?an advertising girl? as his friend. Every day as he went to and from the real estate office where he worked he always glanced up at the hoarding as he passed, and the girl always seemed to smile back at him in a cheery, encouraging manner. Tonight he did not feel that he could think too much about the girl on the * hoard'11? because, when one has only a very lonely Christmas to look forward to, thinking about impossibilities only makes matters worse. So Jos cVlnlllHaPC tft th? Prtld Wind liUXXiJJCU UiO OUUUiUVAV vv V4-X/ VW-? that was blowing and waited for another car. It was a sounding thwack that fell on his shoulders as he stood there, and Jos had to gasp for breath before looking around to see what had hit him. When he did, however, all he could see was a round, grinning face ever so high up looking down into his. He stared at it in perplexity a moment, then wheeling around exclaimed: "Why, Tom!" The tall young man stood and grinned while Jos looked him up and \ down. "When did you strike town. Tom? I haven't seen you since you were a little bit of a feller." "Two months ago, Uncle Jos. I got a job with Billings & Kent, the hard{' v ware people. I've been looking for you, uncle." "Well, well, Tom. I'm glad to see you. Suppose we go along and have some dinner together, eh? How would V that be?" ' ? The big young man shook his head. "Sorry, uncle," he said, "but it can't be done. I'm?I'm promised somewhere else." Mr. Miggs gave him a sly, sidelong glance. "So that's the way the wind blows, eh?" The young man reddened. "I?I promised," he stammered. Then a bright idea striking him, he grasped his uncle by the arm. "But I tell you what, uncle, you come along with me." /Uncle Jos shrank back in his overcoat What lie butt in where he was not wanted? No, indeed. He dragged \ his arm out of Tom's grasp. "Nonsense, Torn," he said. But Tom held on. "Now look here, uncle; you're the only relative I have in this city. You ^ i ,< "You Come Along With Me." Just have got to come along and b< Introduced." And as Tom was nearly three tlmet ;as big as Uncle Jos, he almost liftec him bodily into the street car tha 'happened to be waiting, and awa3 ?they went. It was with some trepidation tha !Mr. Miggs followed his nephew lnt< the neat little flat where Tom's fiancee lived. He did not feel at all sure o: ,his welcome. He was only in hi business clothes, and he knew quit? , well that his collar was none too fresh Well, it was Tom's fault for dragginj him there. He would just say ho"v do you do and then escape?eseap< to his boarding house and?and? He fou3d himself ensconced in aj eas> c^uir in the cozy parlor. Ther was aobodv else about, but sound from the kitchen indicated that sum .J body was busy. Tom took ,a chair, too, and then started in to tell him all about it. Ethel Westcott was a stenographer at Billings & Kent's and Tom had fallen in love with her the very first day he had gone there. She lived alone with her mother, her father having died some years ago, and Tom and she hoped to be married very soon, just as soon as he had saved something to start on. Then suddenly Tom sprang up, exclaiming: "Gee, uncle, I forgot to buy the cigars!" and seizing his hat from the hatstand, fled, leaving Mr. Miggs all by himself in the parlor. For the moment Uncie Jos didn't know whether to jump up and follow Tom or to sit where he was. Rut Tnm was erme. and there was nothing for him to do but to sit still. What an awkward predicament to be in! To be left in a strange house where nobody knew who he was. Supposing somebody were to come in? how was he to explain himself? He was just wondering what on earth he should say, when sure enough footsteps sounded down the passage. They approached the room. Uncle Jos cowered in his chair. What a stupid Tom was to leave him like that! Suppose they took him for a burglar or something. Uncle Jos dared not look up. The footsteps were almost at the door. They ceased. Mr. Miggs dared scarcely breathe. He sat as if petrified. What would happen? A scream, perhaps, a yell of fright! No, nothing happened. Perhaps it was only Tom standing there, after all. At Smiling Down at Him as Usual. ! last the trembling little man screwed j up his courage and raised his eyes, j For a moment he thought he must j have fallen asleep and dreamed of j the girl of the hoarding. She was actually there and smiling down at him as usual. The same bright face and curling hair, the merry eyes with the friendly glint in | them. Was this Tom's girl? Why, he j seemed to have known her all his life. i He rose to his fe^t, a Tentative smile j on his pale cheeks. He didn't know what to say, but there was no need, i for the girl stepped forward. | "Uncle Jos, I'm sure," she smiled, i "I've heard Tom speak of you so ; often." | He waited while she crossed the room to him and took his hands In j hers. She stood before him, speaking j words of kindliness and welcome. ! "We've been thinking of you and wondering how we could find you. Tom said that you were *11 alone, and we could not have enjoyed our Christmas thinking that." She stooped and ; kissed his cheek. Wonderingly Tom's uncle looked at her, tears of gladness i in his eyes. j No need for introductions, no need ! for explanations; just friendliness and hospitality. And when presently j Ethel's mother came from the kitchen, and Tom returned from his shopping, it was just like a family gathering. Of course they made him stay to supper, and afterward to help hang the decorations, and when at last he said * ? j-*- - ?- i ^-11 a ui gooa-oy meir voices* ionoweu mm down the street "A Merry Christmas, Uncle Jos, and mind you come early j tomorrow." SOWING fcHRISTMAS SEED j How the Problem of Storing a Barrel of Apples in a Small New York Apartment Was Solved. A New York couple recently received a barrel of fine apples from a | relative up in the fruit country and i were puzzled for a while, not only as ! to where to put such a bulky package In the narrow confines of a four-room apartment, but also as to how to keep the fruit from spoiling in the steami heated temperature. As there are only two in the family, it seemed as j though they were sure to nave some I spoiled apples on hand before long. t "Might give them away for Christj mas," suggested the head of the house. t "That wouldn't do at all," said the j wife. "But I'll tell you what we will . do. You know, there's a lot of people . we know who won't think to send us , any presents this year unless we bring the matter to their attention in some way. Now, if I send every one of my " friends a nice basket of apples this week they'll all remember our existence and we'll get something from almost every one. I'll Just do It." And she did. Now they are looking II forward to Christmas with much more e curiosity and eagerness than usual. " and have enough apples left to last as h long as they are likely to keep. Born Tired. ! J. F. Carter B. D. Carter "What do you think is your natural J. Carl Kearse ! V?"Haven'fl?ye?"deah boy. What I! Carter & Carter & KearSe i was bom with is a^atnrJ vacation." j 8pecl^ ^^ ! ment of Estates and investigaIn Washington. ] tion of Land Titles. "Wife, I've failed of re-election and BAMBERG, S. C. we must return home." "Impossible, senator." r ?Eh?" ' Habitual Constipation Cured "I owe more than 400 calls.** in 1-4 to 21 Days "No matter. Ton can safely write WITH PEPSIN" is a speciallyt ~ n I prepared Syrup Tonic-Laxative for Habitual Qg Q?w- ^ ^ i Constipation. It relieves promptly but In England at the present time I should be taken regularly for 14 to 21 days * ?*<> AAA * i to induce regular action. It Stimulates and there are 1,888,000 more females: ReguiateS- Very Pleasant to Take. 60c tVmn there nre. males. ; ner hortle. Fresh Oysters Fresh Norfolk Oysters now served regularly. They are luscious, delightful, and palatable. We get them fresh by express. TRY THEM! BAMBERG FRUIT COMPANY ii fc^?kway-s i I I;:. Strong locks I fl) the safe i ' i h a!^placeto hme i ' fi|)pr 1 your money i 9 9 y'ij^put your money i i m mh| tn cur. bank i i 9i^' :"!f then you have i i J 9 jBj j it safe I jl i | ? wrr" | If you bury your money some one may SEE you or may find it. You might die without anybody knowing of its whereabouts. If you hide it behind a picture, under the carpet, in a sugar bowl or the the coal bin, a t burglar can just come and get it. That's the burglar's business. Study this picture and you will hide yours in our bank. BANK WITH US. We pay four per cent, interest, compounded quarterly on savings deposits irmers & Merchants Bank n BADCELMAOPOI BCDOMAHNQLSN CAMPOLRSNR maporluio R^^jHl^BHBB bolvmrw jKn|H%HflHHHH^ Relieves Eye Strain MellowRayo lamplight lends that soft tone to a page so pleasing to. the eye?deep, warm, soothing. t??? A a rr? r?n cfr*ofprl ttip , JUICUVC lias utuiuiiauaivu iuv reading value of good kerosene oil light above others?and Rayo lamps, scientifically built, diffuse this light at its best?steady, generous, 30ft. The Rayo is lighted without removing shade or chimney?easily re-wicked and cleaned ? smokeless, odorless. Aladdin Security Oil gives best results. STANDARD OIL COMPANY (New Jersey) Washington, D. C. BALTIMORB, Charlotte, N. C. Norfolk, Va. MD. Charleston, W. Vs. ? Richmond, Va. Charleston, S. C. IlA? /Sr\ ^"Tamps I BEAT THE COTTON WEEVIL I I KING'S EARLY BIG BOLL I 9B ? v # B Having accepted the agency to han- 9 9 die the King's Early Big Boll Cotton B B Seed, I am prepared to take orders 9 9 for same, and advise all interested 9 B in using them to place 'their orders 9 9 at once, as supply will be short, owing 9 B to the strong demand because of boll B 9 weevil conditions. B I I T n'Nnol RamKora fs C. I ( was there to make a sketch of [dren's Hour like a 'feast For th# 'her. Luncheon \v;; ; ist over, and tiny toddlers there is a varied she was talking to a little knot of menu, sometimes Uneeda Biscuit women. The first words I heard, as^and milk, sometimes Graham Crack-. I slid quietly into a nearby seat, werilers Oatmeal Crackers or Lunch Bis"National Biscuit," recalling pleasHeuit. This is changed on special antly my own tasty Uneeda LunchMoccasions to Old Time Sugar Cookeon. I liked her, and |^^^a^l^^A|_?j?^NewtoD8 rares^ fortably as she spoke days: when we had and ears busy. glice cream and those secerns waiti aJf.n original, !w is due to the superior materials and methods K t A employed in the baking. The everlasting table- Ml S m goodness of Uneeda Biscuit is due to security Mr ns\ of the In-er-seal trade mark package. NATIONAL BISCUIT g?er waT^^| COMPANY ^ ^?0^7 enough went on, "are much as only National mals. They are most lovable ana Biscuit Products can be. During the Diost tractable after they've had years when my babies were growing something to eat National Bijcuit up we never missed the Childainties always begin our Chil- dren's Hour with its tasty feast. t These Tires Are a Revelation v\ i The Brunswick is frankly a combination of the best in tire building. There is one tread that's supreme beyond question. And that is now on Brunswicks. ? *?*? cl^A-wsill rnnsf-mrtinn. which, bv everv test, holds the summit place for endurance. And that one was v . adopted for Bnmswicks. Fabrics differ ? up to 30 per cent ?r in their strength tests. On Brunswicks the maximum long-fiber is tfc^ standard. There are certain additions, each one expensive, which add vastly to tire mileage. The Brunswick embodies all these extras. There are no patents, no secret formulas to prevent any maker from building the best It is simply a question of knowledge and skill?cost plus care. Brunswick standards are known the world over. The very name certifies an extraordinary tire. Yet Brunswicks cost no more than like-type tires. , Buy ONE Brunswick. It will prove that a better tire can* / pot be bought, regardless of price. THE BRUNSWICK-BALKE-COLLENDER CO. Atlanta Headquarters: 38 Luckie St There's a Brunswick Tire for Every Car Cord?Fabric?Solid Truck ' " I I CITY GARAGE, J. W. Price, Prop. B. R. KEARSE, Olar, 8. O. I i AV , l I