The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-12-23

suppose So"
"Wili we be acting right, then?"
Perhaps but it will be such disap-
pointment."
"No doubt of that. But light one
compared to what they will have to
suffer in after life. The fact is, trial
like this will help to prepare them for
the severer ones to come in the future"
Thus arguing the question, Mr.. and
Mrs. Lamberton finally came back to
their original determination, which was
to dispense with the usual "nonsense "
of toys, that would be broken or thrown
aside in an hour, and heal the wounded
hearts occasioned thereby with gener-
Gus distribution of few half dollars.
This would be saving, and, l am afraid,
the economy of the new order of things
was, in reality, its highest recommends
| ton.
Bedtime at last came, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Lamberton retired for the night,
leaving the expectant stockings hanging
empty in the chimney. corner.
Hours went by after the mothers head
rested upon its pillow before sleep came.
And then she dreamed it was Christmas
morning, and that the children sstock-
ings were filed, and they were wild with
delight. Charley was on her knee, show
ing his wagons, and dogs, and horses.
Harry was marching about the room
with his sword and drum, and Anna was
hugging in her arms wax doll with as
much delight as a young mother ever
felt in clasping to her bosom her new
born babe.
A noise, which seemed to come from
overhead, where Uncle Joseph and Aunt
Rachel slept, awoke Mrs. Lamberten from
this dream. She started up and listened,
but all was silent.
The mother slept again. But this time
her dreams were less pleasant. Christ
mas morning had come, but it brought
no joy to the expectant children. Their
stockings were empty, and their hearts
we'll nigh broken.
| Sleep passed once more from her eye
lids, and, although it was long before the
approach of dawn, the gentle visitant
came not again to her pillow.
And long ere the morning broke Mr..
Lamberton found himself awake, and
thinking of the children.
"They will be so disappointed" sighed
the mother, when she found that her
husbands slumber was likewise broken.
"Is there nothing we can put into
their stockingsp asked the father, thus
Indicating the state of his mind.
"Pve been thinking of that; but there
isn't thing in the house that would do.
I'm sorry we hadn't bought them some
thing"
ave can do SO still. / will 90 out
directly after breakfast and buy them
lots of things" said Mr.. Lamberton.
"The mischief will all be done long
enough before breakfast. The disap-
pointment of their eager hopes-the
scattering of their delightful dreams
will almost break their hearts Dear
little Charley he couldn't say his pray
ers last night for thinking of his we'll
filed stocking. Ab, mel We have done
wrong-I feel it"
"Suppose l put half dollar in each
of their stockingsT'
"You can do so, if you like. But it
won't satisfy them"
Undetermined what to do, or rather,
seeing no mode whatever of remedying
their error, Mr.. and Mrs. Lamberton lay
awaiting the approach of day, yet dread
ing to see the dark curtain that was
drawn close about the eastern horizon
begin to lift itself up. But, at length,
morning broke, and a dim, pale light
began to steal in at the window, showing
first one object and then another, until
all in the room became clearly visible.
In expectation Of trouble with the
disappointed children, Mr.. and Mrs.
Lamberton left their bed and commenced
dressing themselves hurriedly, in order
to be prepared to meet and offer the little
comfort that was in their power to give.
Soon there was sound in the room
above where the children all slept with
the nurse. Their pattering feet were
heard upon the stairs and anon, the door
of the adjoining room was burst open.
All was then still for some moments.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lamberton listened with
oppressed feelings. There was low ex-
clamation from one of the children that
sounded like a sob. Following this was
sudden burst of joy, and wild shouts of,
"Kriss has come! Kriss has come
Oh mother! mother! father! Kriss has
comep
Mr.. Lamberton sprung to the door and
threw it quickly open. His surprise and
delight were scarcely less than that felt
by the children. Sure enough Kriss
Kringle was there, sitting close within
the fireplace, we'll loaded with toys, his
pipe in his mouth, and his merry face
turned toward the shouting children.
The father and mother paused in won
der. Daylight came in, still but family,
through the halEclosed shutters, and
gave to the figure of Kriss the very air
and expression of life.
Some moments passed before they could
really convince themselves that it was
not breathing figure, but one cunningly
wrought by the hand of man, which was
before them.
Soon the children, at first disposed to
look on from distance, began gradually
to approach. Harry laid hands upon a
wagon, and Anna seized upon beauti-
full wax doll. Charley, last to overcome
his doubts as to whether Kriss was really
alive or not, came up cautiously, and,
while his eyes were fixed upon the laugh
ing face of the figure, he withdrew from
Its hand stocking crowded to overflow
ing with toys.
The good genius had forgotten no one
in the house. There was a beautiful
scarf slowed away in his pocket for
father, and handsome card-case for
mother. Uncle Joseph and Aunt Rachel,
too, were remembered. Even Betty and
Margaret had something, and there was
no end TO the toys and sugar-plums
contained in pack and pockets for the
children.
But, the mystery was, who had pre-
pared this delightful surprise, coming as
1t did 20 opportunely, and correcting In
such gocd.natured way the error Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Lamberton It was Uncle
Joseph and Aunt Rachel, of course, who
had been up nearly all night in order to
have every thing ready; though they
never clearly owned to the fact.