The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1867-12-20


what we can do" said Nina.
"lf | were only man like papa" said
Peter, I'd work and get some money to
give her havn't got any children to give
il to-"
Yes, but II you were man like papa,
you would have some" saidNhe wise little
Nina.
May be not. There's old Mr.. Small
hasn't got any" answered Peter,
ooh but yOu wouldn't be bitlike him,
such cross old fellow ~ said Nina.
AFTER this they were very quiet for
some time, until at last Peter cried ioyfully
tell you what Nina. I've got il now this
ia wnat wcll do: we'll keep awake until
Santa Claus comes and then we'll Just ask
him to put some nice things into Catha.
rines stocking, the very thing she wants "
But Id be afraid to speak to him, Peter;
he don't like TO be disturbed, he has so
much to do Christmas eve"
"0hl pooh that's because you are a
girl! I'm not a bit afraid of him. I've
seen pictures of him, and he looks real
jolly"
"Wel," said Nina douhtfully. "perhaps
he is but you must speak first Peter"
20 yes, | will, replied our little hero,
"and I'll take care Of you too so don't you
be afraid"
1t was almost midnight when sound
was heard in the chimney. Poor little
Nina tremhled, aud the stout heart Of little
Peter, beat faster than he would have liked
to have owned. A few moments more, and
the world renowned Santa Claus stood in
the room. Whistling time to himself
without looking at the children, he began
quickly to ill the stockings.
MINI hnrrinI hcr hool nnJar tl,n Nod
clothes, but she did not so far forget the
barefooted litlle Catharne but that she
maraged to give her brother warning
pinch. Peter tried to speak but couldn't
find his voice, it seemed to have gono dova
to his toes. After ono or two fruitless
efforts, he at last succeeded in speaking
out The word, "Sir!" in a voice 80 very
unlike his own that Nina started. There
was no answer to the squeak. "Sir Mr..
Santa Claus he said again, this time
raising himself slightly in be-
Halo tlerel" cried Santa Claus. turn
ing around suddenly and looking at the
children for the first time. "Upon my
word what business have "Uu to be awake
now. you little jackanapes ? | declare I've
n great mind to carry you off and drop you
in oil Smalls stocking !
Poor Peters valor quite forshok him OF
this awful thrcet, and he too disappeared
under tho bed clothes shaking with fear.
"Well, where have yo gone to, Peter
Christern ? You were mighty quick TO
speak when nobody wanted you to, 80 now
you'll please answer when you're spoken
to" Santa Claus said pretty roughly.
But Peter was too frightened to appear
again, and now little Nina, who had nc
courage at all for herself became suddenly
brave on her brothcr's behalf. Out pop.
ped-the curly little head from it's hiding
place, and she said, I" Please don't be angry
with us, sir. and please don't carry Peter
off; Indeed, I'm quite sure you couldn't gel
him into Mr.. Smal's stocking, its so little d
llo! iTo! There's another of you!
tell you what, little gid, there isn't mucl
| cam get into a stocking il choose, anc
there's precious little else will he in his i
don't put ,our brother in" cried Sant'
Claus. ..
But Peter is good boy, sir, thougl
Mr.. Small dol't like him, because he step
ped "a his toe the other day, and he's {
crosssold fellow" said Nina. apologeticaly
"Much care for that" said Santa Claus
T" but what in the world did he interrupt
me for what do you want?"
40, Sir, we wanted you 10 please to put
some thing Into little Catharine's stock
ing"
Hoity, toity, that's what's in the wind
! is it? but who in the name Of all the Christ
masses is Catharinc ?"
q Shes a poor little girl, sir" replied
| Nina, "who lives in the next street"
Let me see" said Santa Clans, taking
from his pocket list of names severa
yards long, and running his eye quickly
| - fn,
her; she isn't down on my list; don't know
her."
"Oh are you quite sure you haven't sir
She is go poor" said little Nina, with tears
in her eyes. Peter, who had by this time
somewhat recovered from his fright, now
appeared to sustain his sister, saying
" She said she hadn't got anything to eat
and her hands and feet were as cold anc
as red as your nose"
"As red as my nose, were they? And
why shouldn't they be, I'd like TO know
My nose wouldn't he so beautifully red il
didn't have to ride all over the world
every Christmas eve TO fill the stockings
of snch youngsters as you
"I'm sure you're very kind, sir, and we
love you very much. and so would Cathe
rine too it, you would only put something
into her stocking" Nina said.
But diGu't tell you, child, that hadn't
anything for her, so what's the use oi
bothering about it2 replied Santa Claus.
Poor little Nina began to cry, aud Peter
put his arm around his sisters neck, a.
the same time giving Santa Claus as indig
nant look as his small features could as
sumo The tears, or the look, or both
seemed TO produce some effect on the big
fellow, for he cried, look here II tel
you what I'll do. only you must not cry
hate tears I'll fill your friend Catherinet
stocking or yours. | can't DO both so now
take your choice"
I I" Oh then fill GATHERINGS please" crieC
both children at once.
"Very well; only just see now wha
You lose He drew from AliBa's stock
ing beautiful wax doll, almost as handsome
as the one they had admired that very
afternoon.
"Oh lhow beautiful !" cried Nina raptur
ously. r.f
"Yee, isn't it IoveIy2 But you know
shall have to carry II away with me, m,
dear. if have to find something as valu
able for Your frieDd."aiI ais oHo
Poor Mina's heart sank. aud it was hare
struggle she went through as Santa Clau
turned the doll around, and held it wLer'
The bright rays of the moon shone full ol
its shining hair
| /" Be quick, child he said, / haven't an!
time 10 waste Shall put it back ?"
NE, sir " the de-, little girl'replied
I"rd izlhcr you'd give Catherine some
thing TO keep her warm" I'm Ia I..
"Well, then the doll mnst ride hiu
further tonight. And now sir" turning t,
Peter, whats TO be done with these fin