The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-01-08

1t was a welcome sound when old
fhlllp's voice rang out at the door.
Done loss any chillen hyer?'
Mr. Deane, who had just returned,
rushed out,
yes. Do you bring any news p
Well, 'spects l does. Two chill.
len done spent the night in my cab
in
Come in cried the father, hastily
drawing him in. where are they
now? How did you find them ?.
Where is your house? Bless you, I'll
never forget thisn 2 he poured out in
stream.
'One at time, Massa,' said old
Philip, going up to the stove in the
hall and spreading out his black
hands to the pleasant warmth. NY
shanty is over in the woods a piece
nigh onto two miles from here,
reckon. An them two chillen sot
out, highs l can make out, about
sundown, to find Santa Claus. They
see my light, an come to my do
bout eight o'clock, l reckon, nigh
about froze and starved; the boy
cryin', but the little gal brave an
peart to the last
BY the time the story was finished
all the household had gathered
around and the father had Philips
rough hands in both of his.
Bless you, my man, III pay you
for this
No, you WON'T said Philip. I
don't want no pay. But them young
ones is alone in the shanty, an they
mowat set it afre, though l charged
the little gal to look out
is there road Can / get there
with sleigh p asked Mr.. Deane.
you kin go purity nigh,' said
Philip.
We'll, you get warm and have
some breakfast. Cook turning to
her, give him the best you can in
five minutes, while / see about
horses. You, Barbara, get cloaks
and things
Seated by the kitchen table, Phil
ip disposed of cup or two of hot
coffee and some cold meat and bread
in few minutes, and when the sleigh
came up to the door he came out.
Have you no overcoat for this
weatber?' asked Mr.. Deane, as he
put on his own in the hall.
NO, SIR said Philip. The wood.
sawin' business isn't over'n above
good since 30 many burns coal. /
hasn't had an oburcoat for many a
year.
Mr.. Deane turned to the rack
where he had taken his. Here's one
for you,' he said, handing him q
heavy overcoat.
Philip was overcome. Something
choked him so that he couldn't
speak; but he speedily got into it
and followed Mr.. Deane out to the
sleigh. He was already in, and he
bade Philip get in by him, and they
started off.
Ofcourse, it did notitake very long
to reach the point nearest the shanty,
though the road was not broken, and
it was rather hard pulling for the
stout pair of horses.
When the father opened the door
he found BERTHE prancing around on
his horse and Lily perfectly happy,
studying out her BIRDS eggs.
ooh Papa she exclaimed, when
she saw him, Santa Claus came here
and left us such beautiful thingsp
See my horse = shouted BERTHE.
Santa Claus briuged him!'
Mr.. Deane looked around the room
and understood the poverty of its
owner, and happy idea occurred te
him.
Philip said he, 'in the chamber
of my barn is comfortable room
built for man but my man don't oc,
cupy it. There's enough of furniture
about the house to make it comforta-
BILE, and l can find work enough for
you to do all the year round. We
burn lots of wood and have garden
in summer and, in fact, l take you
into my employment from this hour
at the beet wages going, to the last
of your life. You needn't say any
thing as Philip struggled to speak
Il can never repay you for what you
have done for me but 1'll do what
l can. Now, if you'll help me carry
these little ones over to the sleigh yo,
shall have team to come for youl
things
Well, the children were eoon il
their mothers arms; and Mr.. Dssne
with the help of the whole house
hold spent the morning in furnishing
up old Philips room.
A nice cozy place it was when al
was ready. A carpet, new little
cooking stove, nice bed, made up
with white sheets and things, table
chair or two, including one rocking
chair, cupboard containing dishes
tin and iron ware enough to set up {
family, jars of sugar and tea and
coffee and meal, and, in fact, every
thing the combined household coult
think of to add to the old mans com
fort--not forgetting a goodly ARA,
of half worn garments from the fami
ly store-room.
And Philip ! Well he stood AM
looked in silence, taking in item b
item, till he reached the pictur
which Lily had insisted on giving
hanging it up with her own hands
and just then he turned his face t.
) the wall and covered it with hi
hands.
And thew all stole awau and Lei