The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-12-27

forget little Davy, whom he has always
remembered in some way"
Davy took the precious child's docu-
ment, and, with his blue eyes full of in
nocent faith, held his tiny fingers over
the blaze in the CRATE; the draught
seized the paper, and carried it away
from his sight. Then he drew back,
and clapped his hands gleefully, ex-
claiming:
" See, mamma, the fairies have taken
wife hold of the letter, and carried it
away. Sandy Claws will get it quick!
He will bring every thing, see if he
don'tr'
O, the innocent, beautiful. unbending
faith of childhood! What will compare
with it2
Yes, the fairies took possession of
Davy's note-the fairies that hover in
the atmosphere. however black and
grimy, around every pure household,
high and humble The fairies seized
Davy's note, carried it up the sooty
chimney, unscathed and unsoiled, and
fingered for few moments at the top as
if waiting to leave blessing on the in
mates of the house. Then they sailed
buoyantly and joyously into the clouds
of smoke with their charge, dancing and
wavering about, hither and thither, now
above and then downward as if looking
about for some one in the crowded
thoroughfares of the city. Over the
house tops, down into the busy street,
they pursued their devious and unsettled
way, striking passenger here and there,
pausing on the pavement for moment,
nH nd Ilv
the note full and plump against the
cheek If a gentlemen who was standing
in front of gay Christmas shop-window,
admiring the wonderful and costly toys.
The paper clung to the gentleman's
cheek with so much tenacity, that he
was compelled to remove it with his
hand, and while doing so, the writing at
tracted his attention. He read the note.
A startled but pleased expression lighted
up his eyes.
"Why, what is this?' he exclaimed
aloud, involuntarily. "Wonder upon
wonder! Is this a miracle? ?''
And then he read the note over again,
/ becoming more excited as he read and,
finally after reading it again and again,
till he had got it by heart, he placed it
carefully in a memorandum-book, and
hurried away!
/ Little Davy's hour for bed came, and
his mamma had tackled two tiny red
stockings against the chimney-jam
right close to the fireplace, where old
Santa Claus would be sure to see them
the first thing when he peeped into the
room with his great, generous eyes.
And Davy fell asleep in his mothers
lap talking about Santa Claus and his
reindeers, and his big sleigh loaded
down with every thing to delight child
| hoods heart, and about his papa so fal
away from home, and about the pleasure
that>was sure to come to both of then
when the Christmas sun broke on the
city tomorrow.
Then the mother carried the sleeping
boy to his couch, and as she tucked hin
in, and watched for few moments the
sweet smile that played around hi
mouth, sigh stole from her heart il
spite of her, and an involuntary wisl
that Davy's plan of a happy Christina
might be realized.
She worked late in the night to finisl
some work that was to be returned to he
employer early on the day after Christ
mas, in order that she might spend tn,
next day as the Sabbath of the year
and having completed her task, sh
filled Davy's stockings with a few chea]
toys and some sweetmeats which she hat
purchased for him few days before
and then, breathing prayer for tn
peace and happiness of those she loved
and for the safety of the dear absen
one whom she could not believe dead
, she blew out her lamp and lay dow
, alongside of her babe.
All over the city was enjoyment. TIL
j sounds of music broke upon her ca
from instruments on the street, and th
noise of guns, Chinese crackers, and th
, bursting of rockets in the air, with a
occasional shout from jubilant revelel
) as they went by, for awhile kept he
awake; but at length exhausted natur
! yielded, and she passed into that quie
! realm where sorrow is for time lulle
and poverty forgotten.
Next morning, Davy was the first
awake-for the expected delights of tn
coming holiday fingered with him eve
< in his sleep. The early flush of dayligl
, came through the windows, and cast
l soft radiance into the chamber. Fl
looked at his mother, and touched hel
but tired nature had not yet regained i
. vitality, and she slept soundly. Lift
a Davy, eager to see the presents frol
l Santa Claus, leaped from the bed, an
y hurried into the next room; and
: spectacle met his eye that made h
d young heart leap with joy.
His stockings were swelling out fatl
o with good things. There was the roc
d ing-horse that Davy had written for, an
a a wagon with four real wheels, and
? real drum with drum-sticks, and lars
l. things, both for Davy and his mothe
5, that Davy had not written for.
', Davy's loud eXclamations of deligl
d rang through the house, and he ri
G his mother, calling upon her to'con
r and see how generous Santa Claus h;
been to them. His mother awoke, al
!. ON entering the room was even mo
+ surprised than Davy. Where could &
f. those valuable presents have come from
# What friend, what glorious spirit, cou
q have stolen into her room at night al
a so richly supplied it with the veal
d and plenty Of the season? She hurried
dressed, and wondered as she dresse
., and trembled as she wondered, and
7 delicious sensation of hope and j
j thrilled through every fiber of h
i frame--a premonition of intense ha
9 g piness!
- go, Davy," she cried, fSanta Cla
n has more than answered every line
n your letter except one, and am su
an answer to that must be near by
Davy, Davy; my dear babe-P'
9 But the high hopes that swelled b
> heart to bursting overcame her. S
Il clasped the boy to her trembling bosol
Ia and sank into chair, weeping
As she sat there, the door opened, a
- the honest face of an Irish woman,
# tenement neighbor, peeped into t
~ doorway, and a voice said:
4 30, Misthress Window! there was
w gintleman here to see you late |;
70 " night, and, as you war in bed, he Il
W worrud that he would not disturb yc
T but would call early in the morni
=, AS your door was not fastened, he brib