The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-12-24
HOYT g. CO., Proprietors.

with pleasurable excitement, ana tnelr pump
little hands diving in and out in search OF hid
den treasure!
Mrs. Stanley quietly wakened her husband
to enjoy it with her. and as he raised MS heao
to get better view, the children caught one
glimpse of the dear familiar face that had been
so long away and with shout loud enough TO
waken all the crusty old bachelors IN the coun-
try, they made g. raid upon the bed and were
soop tumblipg over their papa In the widest
excitement.
No happier party gathered around break
fast table on this Christmas morning, and it
was with difficulty their mamma could quiet
the table long enough to tell them of Frank
Werner and his family. She was glad that this
case of destitution had been discovered, even
at this late hour-for it was her earnest wish
to teach her children the luxury of giving free
ly; and they had already been trained to think
of others-on Christmas day especially-there-
by enhancing their own pleasure.
"And now,'' said Mrs. Stanley, "what will
my little ones give towards this Christmas gift
we wish to make? ?' -,
They were not long in deciding-especially
Master Bob, who leaned back in his high chair
and shouted, "Me give my drum"-hIs big,
dark grey eyes fairly dancing with pleasure
A large sleigh soon drove up to the door and
the whole family bundled in with baskets and
packages. They arrived, in short time, at
the lowly dwelling, and, upon entering, were
Mortified to find how much poor suffering nu-
manity can endure and yet live. Everything
betokened the most abject poverty, and, though
scrupulously clean, gave heart-sickening evil
dence of the straits to which they had been re-
duced. The eyes of the little Stanleys opened
wide in amazement that children just their own
l. L. md n1cnr
as the kind, cheering words of Mr.. and Mrs:
Stanley fell upon the ear of the sick man and
his wife, hope began once more to dawn in their
hearts, the heavy, sad eyes frightened, and
soon smiles took the place of tears as MIR. Stan
" offered to take little Frank into his store
and to secure permanent work for the father
as soon as his health should be sufficiently re-
stored.
"Until that time," added Mr.. Stanley, II
shall simply be performing duty enjoined
upon us by our Saviour, if spend a portion
of the bounty that has been showered upon me
so plentifully, in relieving the wants OF your
little family"
Language could not express their gratitude
towards this noble Christian man, who endeav-
ored to practice in his life the teachings OF the
good old book. But silence is sometimes as
eloquent as an elaborate speech, and one glance
into the cenntenance of this poor family told
of2emotion deeper than words could convey.
When the Stanleys left that humble abode it
seem to the sick man as if angels had minis
tered to him unawares. The little room had
suddenly grown much brighter; and as the
cheerful morning sun at that moment burst
through the clouds, lighting up everything with
a wintry splendor so in his good heart had the
shadows been chased away, and Joy and glad
ness filled his soul. With eyes moist with
tears, his wife slipped to his bedside and whls-
pered, "May God forgive me for doubling his
goodness, and I'll pray to be preserved from
ever sinking to such depths of unbelief again"
The Stanleys reached home, sitter delight
full ride into the country, just in time to wei
come grandma, aunts, uncles, and little COUSINS
of all ages, who were received with open arms
And now commences q very carnival OF fun.
Old and young We'd with each other to see who
could cause the most JOY and peace and good
will shone from every eye.
In the few moments of quiet that usually
follow Christmas dinner, while all the chill
dren were clustered around Mrs. Stanley, lis.
tening to one of her charming stories, the fold
ing doors were suddenly thrown open, and
there in all its beauty, glittered the Christmas
tree, blazing with candles on every twlg and
bough. Before the children had recovered
from their surprise sufficiently to express their
Joy in true childish style by sundry jumps and
squalls, side door opened and in walked
greatest of all strangers-Santa Claus. 1t was
amusing to see how differently the various
children were affected by his unexpected ap-
pearance. Some shrank back in awe at the
sight of Lis long, snowy beard and white hair,
but there was an attraction about the pack of
toys he had upon his back that was irresistible;
and as he slowly stalked about the room, ling.
ling his sleigh-bells and answering in deep,
hoarse voice the various questions put to him
by the older members of the party, the little
bit of fear remaining soon melted away, and
he was surrounded by the eager crowd, deligh6-
ed that at last they had really an opportunity
to see with their own eyes the far-famed friend
of children-"Kris Kringle."
The excitement was at its height when little
three-year-old Annie walked up to him, put
her little hands in his with the confidence OF
and, with smiles and bushes, COM
menced to dance round the room. But Santa
Claus was rather too heavily ladened to indulge
in such amusement-so, telling them all to be
good children till next Christmas, he wisely
beat retreat
But the longest, happiest day must soon come
to close, and at last, all the guests having de-
parted, quiet reigned throughout the house.
Mrs. Stanley having visited each little couch,
and gazed, with heart full of love, at the
peaceful faces of the fair young trio, returned
for few moments chat in the cozy sitting
room. Placing her hand upon her husbands
she said, "This has been the brightest
Christmas of my life; but to me the golden
hour of the day, the one round which memory
will linger most fondly, was when that sick
man clasped his thin, white hands, with the
big tears rolling down his cheek, invoked the
blessing of God upon us and our children"
And as they sat there, watching the dying
embers fade away, to each heart came the gen
tie whisper
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these, my brethren, ye have done
it unto me-"
- 1t is told of the late Judge Benjamin Tap
pan, of Ohio, that when he applied to the
Judges of the Supreme Court for admission to
the har of that State he was asked the follow