Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1873-09-02
and he's going to buy some grapes
for mamma. And o, Minnie, only
think; he's going to find papa !"

ohu hO SoiiiS W puy Sohio SioPOo
for mamma. And o, Minnie, only
think he's going to find papa !"
"He can't; papa is drowned
dead !"-said 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, and then Ralph
laughed out.
They were really flesh and blood
children after all, and Ellie was
not dead. Oh, could he bear the
overwhelming rapture in his heart ?
The arrival of the carriage and
Tom was a sign for leaving the toy
store, and while the little ones pill
ed in their treasures, Tom spoke
gravely to Ralph:
Remember, Mrs. Wentz is SICK"
he said, "and, may be cannot bear
a sudden surprise. My little
friend tells me there is a nurse.
We will see her first
The boarding house was soon
found and the children sent up
stairs to display their presents and
send nurse down.
All doubt vanished when the wo-
man stood in the doorway.
MARTHA" said Ralph, "do you
know me ?"
"Mr. Wentz, 1t is Mr.. Wentz !"
cried the amazed woman.
"Yes, it is /" and he told again
the story already written here.
"And now," he added, "tell me how
Mrs. Wentz 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, sir. When we heard
: of the loss of the Labrador, my
mistress almost died; but there
were the children, sir, to be taken
{ care of, so she looked about for some
Y thing to do. Mr.. was board.
ing in the house he went to wait
y for you, sir, and he had big cloak
S house in Boston, where he told
Mrs. Wentz he would give he
J, work. Well, sir, she went, and
went too, to take care of the child
d ren and she was handy and got
ahead till Mr.. - started store
here last fall, and asked her to
! come on, and be forewoman. But
o she took q fearful cold on hel
o lungs, sir, going out in all weather:
e and the doctor says she must have
rest. I'm thankful your come, sir
F, to save her life, for she was going
out again as soon as she was able,
2 and she is nearly worn out"
! "Can you prepare her to see me,
Martha ?"
81 will try sir. You can wait in
! the entry and come in when l CALL
, But Martha found the invalid
sitting up in bed, crimson with ex-
citement, and trembling violently.
"Martha who are these men p
: she cried. "What is this story the
children are telling about Santa
Claus, and papa coming home
Martha, tell me quick. Ralph |!
Ralph !"
He was there, holding her fast
in his arms, his kisses falling on
her lips, and her hair. Joy does
not kill, and the rapture only made
her peacefully happy in the strong
embrace she had never hoped to
feel again. The children soon
learned to love the bearded stran-
ger, but Ellie from the first show
ed strong partiality for Toms
blue eyes and blonde whiskers.
For ten years he was her Santa
Claus, and dear friend, and then
Christmas eve when chimes where
ringing from the church bells,
Ralph and Ellie Wentz gave their
blue-eyed daughter to brighten the
home of her patient, faithful lover,
Tom Bayley, who declared his love
dated from the hour when they
selected wax dolls and tea sets on
Christmas eve when Ralph found
his wife.
Proceedings Of school Board.