SCROOGE and MARLEY (Deceased) by Paul Curtis (the first e reader .txt) 📕

both cried who would do it clearly
"Thank you both, I am much obliged Bless you!"
After his meeting it was the church that he went to
He walked the streets watching people come and go
Sharing smiles and hello’s as they hurried to and fro
Scrooge found that everything could yield him pleasure
A simple walk gave him happiness beyond measure


VERSE 3 – CALLING ON A NEPHEW

In the afternoon he turned his steps in another direction
Towards his nephew's house to accept his invitation
He passed the door a dozen times before his visit
When he found the courage he made a dash at it
He asked the girl "Is your master at home, my dear?"
"Yes, sir." She replied in a voice polite and clear
"Where is he, my love?" Scrooge said some finesse.
"He's in the dining-room, along with my mistress
I'll show you up-stairs, if you please." The girl said
"Thank you. He knows me, he’s my nephew Fred"
Scrooge said his hand already on the dining-room lock.
"I'll go in here, my dear." He entered without a knock
He sidled his face in, round the door silent and supple
Fred and his young wife were looking at the laden table
The table was spread in great array for the festivities
And the young housekeeper doubtful about her abilities
Fred!" said Ebeneezer Scrooge a little fainthearted.
Dear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started.
Scrooge forgot about her sitting in the quiet corner
With footstool, or he would not have startled her
"Why bless my soul!" cried Fred," who's that there?"
"It's I. Your Uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner.
Does the invitation hold? Will you let me in, Fred?"
“Let you in? I couldn’t be happier,” the nephew said
When uncle and wife were introduced scrooge hesitated
And said “may god forgive me for the years I’ve wasted”
Let him in indeed Fred could not have been happier
He was at home Nothing could have been heartier
Scrooge saw that His niece looked just the same.
So did Topper and the plump sister when they came
There was wonderful happiness and much partying.
But he was early at his counting house next morning.


VERSE 4 – BACK TO THE COUNTING HOUSE

Oh he was early there. If he could only be there first
And catch Bob Cratchit come late! And see him cursed
That was the thing Scrooge had set his heart upon
And so he did and he sat and saw nine o’clock gone
The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob.
It was undoubtedly so that he was tardy for his job
He was full eighteen minutes behind his usual time
Bob knew that to scrooge it was a cardinal crime
Bob’s hat was off even before he opened the door
His comforter too was taken off his neck before
Scrooge sat with his door wide open, so he might see
As bob Cratchit crept in toward his desk silently
He was on his stool in a jiffy and picked up his pen
An accustomed voice growled “What time is this then?”
"What do you mean by coming here this time of day?"
Bob’s heart sank as he thought he was about to pay
"I am behind my time,” said Bob "I'm very sorry, sir"
"You are" observed Scrooge. "Yes. I think you are.
Step this way, if you please Mr. Cratchit" he said
"It's only once a year, sir, It shall not be repeated.
I was making rather merry yesterday, sir." he pleaded
"Now, I'll tell you what, my friend," Scrooge said
"I am not going to stand this sort of thing any more”
He continued, leaping from his stool “And therefore,"
Then he dug Bob in the arm with his finger quite firmly
And said "and therefore I am about to raise your salary."
Bob trembled, and thought about calling a constable
Then scrooge smiled and he felt more uncomfortable
"A merry Christmas, Bob," smiled and laughed again
He spoke with an earnestness that could not be mistaken
"A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, I fear”
He continued “than I have given you for many a year.
I'll raise your salary, and assist your struggling family
I am in earnest Bob and I mean to help you honestly
And we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon,
Over a Christmas bowl in the Saracens Head saloon
Make up the fires, and buy another coalscuttle bob
Before you dot another I, cross another t or any job!"


VERSE 5 – THE END OF IT

He was better than his word. He did it all and more rather
And to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.
He became as good a friend, and master, and man
As anyone in any city, town, borough or world can
Some people laughed to see the great alteration in him,
But Scrooge let them laugh, and he little heeded them
He had no further intercourse with any sort of Spirit
It was said if any man alive had the knowledge of it
That scrooge knew very well how to keep Christmas
And may that always be truly said of us, and all of us!
Now our story of Ebeneezer Scrooge’s redemption is done
And as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!


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Publication Date: 10-01-2010

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