The Christmas Goblins

Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. 

The story «The Christmas Goblins» revolves around Gabriel Grub, a surly, ill-humored sexton who is wont to drink gin from an old wicker bottle that he keeps in his waistcoat pocket. It is Christmas Eve when Gabriel is on his way to the churchyard to dig a grave. On his way, to his chagrin, Gabriel sees Christmas cheer and domestic bliss everywhere he turns. Indeed, on account of a lone boy rehearsing a Christmas song while on his way to a party, the cheer emanates even from Coffin Lane, a gloomy part of town, which is a particular favorite of Gabriel’s. Loathe begrudging the boy his portion of Christmas cheer, Gabriel beats the boy with his lantern...What happens next? Read this unrivalled story to find out.