PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS.
(A Yule-tide Story told in Advance.)
Yes, Scrooge was an altered man! He was genial and amiable, and altogether an estimable being. Scrooge's nephew was delighted with the change. He could scarcely believe his ears and eyes.
"And don't you really interfere with the theatres, Sir?" asked Scrooge's nephew. "At one time you were always telling them to take down this, and put up that, and making the lives of the managers burdens to them. Don't you interfere any longer?"
"Of course not, my lad," replied Scrooge, heartily. "Why should I? This is the pleasantest world imaginable, and it would be less charming without its playhouses."
"Right you are, Sir," returned Scrooge's nephew; "but I suppose you look in occasionally at the halls to supervise the entertainments?"
"I look in to enjoy them, my boy!" cried Scrooge, with a ringing laugh, that could be heard for furlongs. "What do they want with my supervision?"
"I am sure I don't know, uncle; but I thought it was a way you had. And then you are going to strip the hoardings of the posters, aren't you?"