American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1877-12-22

( there in novels and tenement houses, and
who have known want and sorrow all their
! lives, to come, to- night, to the churches,
where my presents are displayed. Then on
each one bestOw what he or she most needs or
! wishes for, and so will this day prove, my
darlings, to be the merrieSt and happiest of
all Christmas Days. For truly it is said, 1t
is more blessed to give than to receive"
With much love,
hereby affiX my hand and SEAL
SANTA CLAUS.
1t was done, and the children, rich
and poor, fiocked from all quarters of
the city into the brilliantly lighted, beau
tifully decorated churches. The little
church around the corner was filed to
OVERLOOKING. Ladies in costly garments
mingled with women in faded calico
dresses, and ragged shawls. Children
clad in silks, velvet and rich furs sat be-
side pale little ones who had shivered in
their thin dresses, as they came through
the streets. But the blessed influence
of the holy Christmas time was over
them all.
A prayer from the good minister, and
then q sweet-faced, sweet-voiced lady
arose and said
Little strangers-but from this
time, we hope, strangers no more-you
have been invited here, tonight, by
Santa Claus. The children of this
church, grateful for the many things he
has bestowed upon them in years gone
by, have, this day, sent him many gifts
in return. But he, not having any boys
or girls of his own, wishes his Christ
mas presents should be given to you.
Here are candies, apples, cakes and
oranges enough for you all''-how their
eyes sparkled- and books, dolls, shoes,
hats and many other things, to be divid-
ed among you. Come forward, few
at time, and whisper to me, or one of
my friends, what most you wish fol"
Shyly they came, with wondering,
half-doubting faces, but to return to
their seats, with bright eyes and smiles
hands, pockets and aprons filed with
treasures, until all had partaken of the
bounty of Santa Claus.
But one beautiful little girl, with
heavenly blue eyes, and golden hair rip
pling to her waist, never moved, but
sat upon her mothers knee, looking
wonderfully about her. The children
who had to pass her to reach their seats
threw candies and nuts and cake into
her lap, as they passed, and she gave
them in return the sweetest of smiles.
At last nothing remained of the pres
ents to Santa Claus but the little pair of
crutches.
sNo one wanth them,' whispered the
small boy, who, with a nice, warm jack
ct upon his arm, and an orange in one
hand and box of figs ia the other, sat
beside his mother. "I'm tho thorry-
no! I'm tho extremely glad no other
poor child it'll lame.''
But just then the sweet-voiced lady
said, in still, soft voice, ''And here is
pair of little crutches."
The woman who was holding the pref
ty wee girl arose, and, carrying the
child in her arms, came modestly for
ward.
Oh! what lovely, lovely face that
child had! Wan and thin, but lit up
by eyes large, bright and blue, and her
hair shone and glistened in the brilliant
light like a mass of purest geld.
Her mother stood upon the floor, land,
taking the crutches, placed them under
her arms ''I thank Santa Claus very
much, said the child, in clear, must
cal voice. s'Mamma couldn't afford to
buy me pair, and 1 had to sit in my
chair, all day long"
Mother, she lookth like an angel! 1
muth kith her, said the small boy; and
forgetful of the large crowd-of every
thing but the beautiful child-he limped
toward her. "Will you kith me, dear
little childP'' he said.
eyes, said the child, with frank
smile, &C for think" looking straight
into his serious, dark eyes, "you are my
Santa Claus.''
And then great shout went up for
Santa Claus.
Gwen give him present every
Christmas, cried all the children.
sThree cheers for the dear old fell
low!"
And didn't they cheer!
"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! -
and one for good measure, ''Hur-
rah! !"