The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-12-26

| their stockings!' asked the father, thus
indicating the state of his mind.
I've been thinking of that; but there
isn't thing in the house that would do.
I'm sorry we hadn't bought them some
thing, replied the mother.
we can do so still. | will go directly
after breakfast and buy them lots of
things said Mr.. Lamberton.
'The mischief will all be done long
enough before breakfast The disappoini-
ment of their eager hopes-the scattering
of their delightful dreams-wili almost
| break their hearts. Dear little Charley
He couldn't say his prayers last night for
thinking Of his welliiled stockings. All
me We have done wrong-I feel it,
Suppose put a half dollar in each Of
their stockings 2 sold Mr.. Lamberton
You can co so if you like; but il won't
satisfy them
Undetermined what to do, or rather
seeing no mode whatever of remedying
their error, Mr.. and Mrs Lamber,on Law
awaiting the approach of day, yet dread
ing to see the dark curtain that was close
about the Eastern horizon began 10 lift
itself up. But at length morning broke,
and dim, pale light began TO steal in at
the window, showing first one object and
then another, until all parts of the room
became clearly visible. In expectation of
trouble with the disappointed children,
Mr.. and Mrs. Lamberlon left their bed
and commenced dressing themselves hur-
rediy III order 10 be prepared 10 meet and
offer the little comfort thai ii was In their
power TO give. Soon there was a sound
i'll the room above where the children all
slept with the nurse. Their pattering feet
were next heard upon the stairs; anon the
door of the adjoining room was burst
open. All was then still for few mo-
ments. Mr.. and Mrs. Lamberton listened
with oppressed feelings. There was a
low exclamation from one of the children
that sounded like sob. Following this
was sudden burst of JOY and loud wild
shouts of,
.kriss has come Kriss has come
Oh! Mother! Mother! Father! Kriss
has come !
Mr.. Lamberton sprung 10 the door and
threw it quickly open. His surprise and
delight were scarcely less than that felt
by The children. Sure enough kriss
kringle was there, sitting close within the
fire place, well loaded with toys, his pipe
towards the shouting children. The faith
er and mother paused in wonder. Day
light came in. still but family through the
haIf-closed shutters, and gave to the figure
of Kriss the very air and expression of
life. Some moments passed before they
could really convince themselves that it
was not breathing figure, but one cum
ningly wrought by the hand of man,
which was before them. Soon the chill
dren, at first disposed TO look on from a
distance, began gradually to approach.-
Harry laid violent hands upon a wagon,
and Anna seized upon beautiful wax
doll; Charley, last 10 overcome his doubts
as 10 whether Kriss were really alive or
not, came up cautiously, and while his
eyes were fixed upon the laughing
face Of the figure, he withdrew from lis
hand stocking crowded 10 overf1owing
with toys.
The good Genius had forgotten no one
in the house. There was a beautiful
scarf slowed away in his pocket for. father
and a handsome card-case for mother.-
Uncle Joseph and Aunt Rachel. too. were
remembered. Even Betty and Margaret
had something, and there was no end to
the toys and sugar plums contained in
pack and pockets for the children.
But, the mystery was as to who had
prepared this delightful surprise, coming
as it did opportunely, and correcting in
such good natured way the error of Mr..
and Mrs. Lamberton 1t was Uncle
Jose ph and Aunt Rachel, of course. who
had been up nearly all night in order TO
have everything ready; though they never
clearly wned TO the fact
That was indeed merry Christmas
for all; and MIR. Lamberton was as much
pleased with his h andsome scarf, as was
any child in the h ouse with his or her
present from Kriss Kringle. As to the
trouble taken in advance on account of
broken dolls heads. wagon Wheels, and
all that. none appeared through The day.
and when night came, and the tired little
ones went off willingly to bod, they slept
with their treasures around them.
~.