The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-05-24

Scarcely able yet TO realize the happiness
that seemed so near him, Ralph led the child
to where Tom was loading Ellie with toys,
and carrying on a laughing conversation IN
his assumed character.
"Ralph, old fellow" he said kindly, they
are yours. Don't carry that dcathly face TO
your wife Your wife! Dear old boy, don't
look bewidered, it is all true, am going
now for carriage while you see to the little
ones"
He dashed out as he spoke, and Ralph stood
trying to steady his brain, listening to Ellie a.
she gravely informed her sister that santa
Clause bought two of everything, one for you
and one for me, and he is going to buy some
grapes for mamma; and o, Minnie! only
think, he's going to find papa" - >,
"He can't-papa is drowned-dead! sa sac;
Minnie. mamma wouldn't cry about him
and wear black dress, if he could come
down the chimney at Christmas like toy
Don't be silly, Ellie" she added, grandly, anu
then Ralph laughed out.
They are really flesh and blood children,
after all, and Ellie was not dead. On, couid
he bear the overwhelming JOY, the swelling
rapture in his heart"
The arrival of the carriage and Tom was
the signal for leaving the toy. store. Ana
while the little ones were pillng in their treas
ures Tom spoke gravely to Ralph
"Remember, Mrs WentZ is SICK" he said
"may be cannot bear II sudden surprise. My
little friend tells me there is nurse. we
will see her first"
The boarding house was soon found ana
the children sent up stairs to display their
presents and send the nurse down.
All doubt vanished when the woman stood
in the doorway.
Martha" said Ralph, "do you not know
mc?"
"Mr. Wentz! it is Mr. Wcntzw-cried the
amazed woman.
Eyes, it is l." and he told again the story
already written here.-"And now" he added
'tell me how Mrs. Wcntz was discharged
from the hospital
"She was never in a hospital the story you
heard must have been about some one else OF
the same name When we heard of the loss
of the Labrador your mistress almost died,
but there were the children, sir, to be taken
care of, 50 she looked about for something to
do. Mr. L was boarding in the house; he
went to wait for you, sir, and he had big
cloak house in Boston, where he told Mrs.
Wcntz he would give her work. Well, sir,
she went, and went too, to take care of the
children; she was handy and got ahead till
Mr.. Il started store here last fail, and
asked her to come on and be forcman.-but
she's took fearful cold on her lungs, going
out in all wcathers, and the doctor says she
must have rest am thankful you're come,
sir to save her life, for she was going out
again as soon as she was able, and she is near
~ worn out"
Think you can prepare her to see me-
MarthaW
"I'll try, sir. You can wait in the entry
and come in when call"
But Martha found the invalid sitting up in
bed, crimson with excitement, and trembling
violently.
Martha, who are these men t'-shc cried
"What is this story the children are telling
about Santa Claus, and papa coming home
Martha, tell me quick Ralph, Ralph!'
lie was there, holding her fast in his arms,
kisses falling on her lips and her hair. Joy
does not kill, and the rapture only made her
happy in the strong embrace she
had never hoped to ieel again.
The children soon learned to love the beard
ed stranger. Ellie from the first had shown
a strong Partially for Toms blue eyes and
blonde whiskers.
For ten years he was her Santa Claus and
dear friend, and then one Christmas eve when
the chimes were ringing from the church
bells, Ralph and Ella Wentz gave their blue
eyed daughter to brighten the home of hel
patient, faithful lover, Tom Baylcy, who de
clared his love dated from the hour when
they selected wax dolls and tea sets on the
Christmas eve when Ralph found his wife.