Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-10-12

but their clothes were Of eoarse materi-
al. and carefully patched and darnea.
woolen nittens covered their fingers.
and coarse boots their little feet.
Did yOa ever see such angelic faces p
said Ton. softly. '-Come nearer
Drawing nearer. thsy heard the Oldest
q the children. demure little daasel
Of eight years. say gravely:
If only Santa Claus knew We had
moved. sister. he might come yet
No. nurse said he couldn't come be-
cause mamma was sick. Minnie"
aBut when she gets veil 2''
.@Thea it won't De Christmas, 1t viii
not be much like Christmas now, with
cut Santa Claus. viii 1t
"Who IS that talking about ne %
said Tom, in . gruf yOiee; who IS talk
ing about Santa CIans -
oh Oh - cried the children. look
ing up
Were yOu saying I forgot you p
said Tom
But you amt Santa Claus" said
Minnie. He is ever 50 old
That's nv father. He's awful busy
tonight, 50 he sent ne to find some of
his pets: and l was 10 look especially
for Miunle-Ninnie- vas the
name ??
Minnie Wentz.." cried the child ea-
gerly: and this Is sister Ellie =
Ralph Ralph for Heavens sake
bear up" cried Ton. IS his friend reel
ed against him, as If fainting- Come
inside"
Grasping Minnie with one hand. and
half carrying Ralph With the other. Ton
pushed his way into the crowded store
The shack Of the discovery was but mo
mentary. and. Onee inside the store.
Ralph drew the eldest child TO him, while
good-natured Tom took Ellie 70 make
purchases
Did you say your NAME vas Minnie
Wentz p asked Kalph, taking the child 5
hands in his own-
"Yes. sir.
And your papa and nanna-are
they dead ?"
Papa was drowned when was lit
tie girl. but mamma IS only sick
Where do you live %
In Bleeeker street Nurse said We
might come to see the stores. if I took
care Of Ellie"
But have you been in New York ev-
er since papa was drowned 20
+ % NJ. sir Mamma made cfoakz. and
we lived in Boston, but she came here
10 make eloaks. too. for the gentleman
ether store here Nurse takes care Of
Is when mamma Is out, but she IS sick
now. Oh. if you please sir. can't l @
10 Santa Claus, TOO
/ Scarcely able yet 10 realize the happi-
ness that seemed 50 near him. Ralph led
the child u where Tom was loading FL
lie with toyz. and carrying On : laugh.
Z inc conversation In his assumed eharae-
ter
..Rzlph. old fellow he said. kindly
.-they are yours Dent carry that death
II face to your wife Your wife Deal
Old boy. don't look 50 beEiIdered- It i
al true. Ian going for 3 carriage
while you see tc the little ONES.
He dashed cut As he spoke. and Ralph
stood trying 10 steady his train, listen
ing to Ellie Is she grzveIy informed hel
sister .-thzt Santa Claus bought two ot
everything. one for Tou and one for ne
and he's gong to buy sone grapes 0l
nznmA And. 0 Minnie. only think
he's going to find our papa =.
-He can't: papa Is dro~ned-dead =
said Minnie Mamma wouldn't CIT
about hin. and wear black dress. If b
could eoue down the chimney at Christ
mas like toy. Don't Be silly, Ellie. :
she added grzudIv, and then RaIpE
Izughed out
They we're really flesh aud bIood chill
dren after III. and Ellie was not dead
Oh. eould he bear the overwhelming JOY
tie swelling rapture IN his hsars?
/ The arrival Of the carriage and Ton
Was > signal for leaving the toy store
and while The little oBa piIed IN tbei
treasures. Tom spoke grzvely 70 Ralph.
Remember. Mrs Weuz Is SICK" L.
aid- and may be. eann0t bear : sud
den surprise Ny little friend tells n
there i . n9rse- We will see her first
/ The bozrding-hoase was son found
and the children sent up stairs 70 dis
play their presents and send nurse down
Al doubt vanished when the Eouzl
stood IN the dogr-EaT.
Martha" szid Ralph, do you no
kno= ne
-Mr- Weutz- It is Mr. Wenz !" erie
the smzzed woman
-Ies tEI' and he told again ii
story already written here And nov,
be added. It'll ne hoE Mrs. Wentz "a
discharged fron TIE hospital -
she Eas Dever II : hospital Th
. story you hard rnast hare been abou
so1e GEe else Cf the saxce uzrne. SIR