The Novels, Stories, Sketches and Poems of Thomas Nelson Page Volume 8 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ... SANTA CLAUS'S PARTNER TO MY FATHER WHO AMONG ALL THE MEN THE WRITER KNEW IN HIS YOUTH WAS THE MOST FAMILIAR WITH BOOKS; AND WHO OF ALL THE MEN THE WRITER HAS EVER KNOWN HAS EXEMPLIFIED BEST THE VIRTUE OF OPEN-HANDEDNESS. THIS LITTLE BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY HIS SON. THE AUTHOR SANTA CLAUS'S PARTNER BERRYMAN LIVINGSTONE was a successful man, a very successful man, and as he sat in his cushioned chair in his inner private office (in the best office-building in the city) on a particularly snowy evening in December, he looked it every inch. It spoke in every line of his clean-cut, self-contained face, with its straight, thin nose, closely drawn mouth, strong chin and clear gray eyes; in every movement of his erect, trim, well-groomed figure; in every detail of his faultless attire; in every tone of his assured, assertive, incisive speech. As some one said of him, he always looked as if he had just been ironed. He used to be spoken of as "a man of parts'; now he was spoken of as "a man of wealth--a capitalist." Not that he was as successful as he intended to be; but the way was all clear and shining before him now. It was now simply a matter of time. He could no more help going on to further heights of success than his "gilt-edged" securities, stored in thick parcels in his safedeposit boxes, could help bearing interest. He contemplated the situation this snowy evening with a deep serenity that brought a transient gleam of light to his somewhat cold face. He knew he was successful by the silent envy with which his acquaintances regarded him; by the respect with which he was treated and his opinion was received at the different Boards, of which he was now an influential member, by men who fifteen years ago hardly knew of his...