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THE GOOD FELLOWS' CHRISTMAS EVE
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dies, and garlands of Christmas greens. When they saw Crocker, they formed a ring and danced around him with uncontrolled joy.
"Hail to the ranks of Good Fellows!" they shouted. "You're just in time. This is our last call; we have made five. Come on in!"
"But I have no presents to give," demurred Crocker.
"Money, my boy, money. That's
stopped her words. Four children clustered about her, the oldest girl trying to soothe a sobbing child who was shaking with the cold. The child had just come in from the street, where she had been begging. Her little hands, which still clasped the tin cup she had held out for pennies, were chapped and blue, but the cup was empty. The obvious distress of this family was so pitiable that the
CROCKER OPENS HIS HEART — ALSO HIS WALLET
the most welcome thing of all. Hurry up, so we can hie us home with calm consciences," urged Peabody.
Half ashamed, yet strangely interested, Crocker followed the group up a rickety stairway, thru a dark, illsmelling hall, into a tiny kitchen, lighted by a sputtering lamp.
A quick silence fell upon the noisy group, as their eyes took in the pitiful scene. So far, their evening of good fellowship had been a merry lark, but jests died away in the face of such suffering as they saw here. As they entered, a wan-faced woman lifted her head, but, as she tried to speak, a paroxysm of coughing
good cheer of the visitors was, for a moment, checked.
No one spoke. The children stared in awe-struck surprise at the men, who began quietly to put down their bundles. But, when a great turkey was produced, his yellow legs bursting from their wrappings, the smallest child broke the tension by rushing forward with a happy cry.
"Look, look, mamma!" she cried; "it's a truly turkey; it ain't a dream!" Every one laughed then, and while the rest of the gifts were distributed, Crocker stepped over to the child who held the tin cup.
"Here's some pennies," he said,