CHRISTMAS DAY
It was a typical Christmas day. There was even snow on the ground. The
pretty limousine stood before the Hollisters' door and a well-groomed
good-looking chauffeur was taken in and presented to Mrs. Hollister,
his future mistress. Grandmother, in her handsome new cloak, and Aunt
Susan with Mr. Casey, took the first ride. Mr. Casey was in high spirits
over Nora's choice.
"Shure they till me that he has a great future."
"Of course he has," said Grandmother. "Why, he's advanced to the
operating room and he is in line to be second assisting surgeon. Think,
Mr. Casey, of the lives he may save. I think Nora has made a wise choice,
and he cared for her for herself--not for her money--for he's always said
that his wife's money should be settled on herself--that only the husband
should pay the bills. And Nora, dear child, has improved so. She's grown
so handsome and has a face full of character."
"That's so, ma'am. I would that her poor mother--God rest her soul--could
but see her."
"She does," said Aunt Susan. "I firmly believe that our loved ones see
us and are near us constantly. Wait a bit; I have to stop," and Mr. Casey
got out at a market.
"Now what is he up to?" said Grandmother. "Susan, he's the
kindest-hearted and most generous man that I ever knew."
They could catch a glimpse of him now and then. Presently he emerged with
an immense basket containing a large turkey, a pair of ducks, and paper
bags of vegetables, and in one corner a smaller basket of delicious
fruit and a couple of wreaths. From a card he read an address to the
chauffeur, who placed the Christmas basket beside him.
"Now where is he going, I wonder?" said Aunt Susan. "Perhaps some of his
poor relations."
The chauffeur drove up before a cheap flat, alighted, and left the
basket. Returning he nodded "yes" to Mr. Casey.
Mr. Casey said in a hesitating manner:
"The young piano player,--I thought I'd surprise him and his mother. Mrs.
Hollister speaks highly of the mother and I need just such a young man
with me in Columbus. I think I can find an opening for him in my office;
if not, in the office of some of my friends. There are too many young men
in New York; there are not enough places for them all. Now wid me they
have a chance to advance, and when I'm gone they'll take my place. I've
no son."
"Yes," said Grandmother, "this young musician supports his mother. My
daughter-in-law says that the mother comes from a good old family. She
and Mrs. Hollister were at school together in Elmira, New York state.
Then when my son married Bella this lady was her bridesmaid. Bella said
she was a raving beauty, but she married a man who drank himself to
death, leaving her with her child alone in the world and without a penny.
The boy was musical and someone taught him how to play. He used to go to
school through the day and practice at night. Then he graduated and
obtained a position as clerk, receiving a very moderate salary. Bella
met them one night in the cars and had them come up to the house. She
did all that she could for them, and employed him every time she had a
tea or needed music. He played well and was glad to get his little three
dollars. I know that Bella always sent home a box of refreshments to the
mother."
"Well, I shall persuade them to go back wid me, and they'll have enough
then, I'm thinkin'."
"Mr. Casey, you are a good man," said Aunt Susan. "The world would be
better if we had more like you."
"But, Mrs. Carpenter, I think this way. The Lord has been good to me. He
has caused me to prosper. Why should I consider it all me own? No, I
think whenever I can help a fellow man He expects me to do so--that's
all--and I try to make good."
The elderly women made no reply. He was a rough self-made man--a Roman
Catholic, although not a churchman, who could give them points on charity
and who did his good deeds quietly and without boasting. Mr. Casey was a
Scout, although not a young one, for that was the way they were taught to
do their good deeds.
Upon their arrival home he directed the chauffeur to get his dinner or
luncheon and return, and after the Hollister luncheon, Nora, Harvey,
Ethel and Tom went to Van Courtlandt Park, where there was skating,
returning in time for six o'clock dinner.
"I think, ma'am," said Mr. Casey, "we have monopolized your car pretty
well, and you never have been inside of it."
"But I'm too busy, Mr. Casey. Today is Christmas and I love to view it
from the window. Just to think that it belongs to me! I can't realize it.
Mr. Casey, you are my fairy Godfather and nothing else. How can I ever
repay you?"
"By always being a mother to my girl, ma'am, as ye have been since she
met ye. Why, ye deserve a whole garage of automobiles for the kindness
ye've shown her, and see the good man she now has through ye. Don't thank
me, ma'am. It's ourselves who can't thank ye enough."