The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-12-22

tell me which Of those ships 60 to
Germany?'
why, that one yonder, my lit
tie, lass pointing to one over
which the German flag floated.
But Nina thought be meant the
little ferry boat that ran to Wee
hawken.
Thank you,' she said, and few
away. A bell was ringing; She
hurried past the ferryhouse,
dropping her two cents into the
hand of the ferry-master, and the
boat was off the next moment.
1t did not take long to cross the
river, and Nina went on shore
and looked about. A great, good
natured looking man sat smoking
his pipe at the door Of o shoe
makers shop.
Nina went up to him and said
softly:
please, sir, will you tell me
where Nr. Santa Claus lives?'
! Mr.. Santa Claus p said the
man, in broken English. Veil,
l do not know-does he keep
shop or work at trade? You
tell me vot he is, den maybe l re-
member him
Don't you know: l thonght
every one knew Mr.. Santa Claus. ,
said Nina. 'Ile--he makes toys
for little children
'Sor said the German !! so.
Vas. I know. Go up dis street
and along to the noxt corner, den
you see a little gate. Behind dat
you find de man dot max es toys
for de children
Nina said that she was much
obliged. She fclt that people
were amiable in Germany, and
her hopes rose bigh. She follow.
cd her old Germans direction and
soon came to high fence. There
was a gate in 1t. She lifted the
latch and opened it, and before
her was a low,. brown house. Soft
ly she crept up to the window.
Yes, yes, she had found Santa
Claus at last. There, before the
fire, sat a little fat OLD man, with
white hair and rosy checks, hard
at work with turning lathe. An
old woman, as rosy as he was,
was gluing pieces of wood togeth'
er with a brush-toy chairs, tables
bedsteads, wagons, milk-maids
iointed dolls; and at table sat four
. little girls painting away at the
finished toys with the brightest
c jlors. Oh! this was delightful
and Santa Claus and his wife look
ed 90 kind!
Nina knocked on tho door
Some one cried, 'Herein,' and
she entered.
She stood at the threshold and
dropped the lite courtesy her
mother had taught her, and said
please, Mr.. Santa Claus, l want
, to speak to you particularly Ii
, is about Christmas
'So!' cried the old gentleman
, and truly he was German
rising. But what did you cal
, me, little one?'
Mr.. Santa Claus said Nina
} 1--we been looking for you all day
and poor mother is so sick. That
is Why l want to see you. You
} used to come in at the window on
Christmas eve when she lived ir
t Germany, and you always put
!, something in her shoe, and now
: she cannot earn money because
she is sick. l want you to come
e down the chimney aud put enough
Q in her stocking to last until she ii
: we'll, for father is dead, and We
e have nobody who cares for us
0 And you-oh! you are so good
, always going over the roofs OF
Christmas eve, and giving pres
e ents to everybody
The child thinks you are SAINT;
Claus whispered the old German
e woman in her husbands ear. oh
how like she is to our little Nina
do you not see?'
> DO you speak German, child !
10 said the old man.
,t Yes said Nina, 'it is my me
e theirs language. Yes, 1 speak
l very we'll
q 'And what is your name p aske
the old gentleman.
X Nina Hoffman, Mr.. Santa Claus
d if you please replied Nina.
1t The old woman caught her hu
St bands arm.