The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-05-03

to the east, and shot its beams upon the
western range, the sparkling frost flash
ed from the snow-clad peaks as though
their towering heads were sprlnkled
with pure diamonds.
Mrs. Stewart arose, and shade of
pain crossed her handsome face, as the
empty little stockings caught her mater
nal eye. She cast q hurried glance
towards the bed where her darlings lay
sleeping, and whispered
"Oh, God how dreadful is poverty !"
She built glowing fire, and set about
preparing the frugal breakfast. When
1t was almost ready she approached the
bed, kissed the little ones until they
were wide awake, and then lifted
them to the floor. With eager haste
Totty ran to the stockings, only to turn
away, sobblng as though her heart
would break. Tears blinded the moth
er's eyes, and clasping her little girl to
her heart, she said, in a choking voice:
Never mind, my darling; next
Christmas l am sure mamma will be
richer, and then Santa Claus will bring
us lots of nice things.'
"Ohl mammal"
The exclamation came from little
Benny, who had opened the door and
standing in amazement looking upon
the gifts there displayed.
Mrs. Stewart sprang to his side with
speechless establishment. She read the
card and then, causing her little ones to
kneel down with her in the open door
way, ,she poured out her soul in torrent
of praise and Thanksgiving to God.
Jack Dawson's burly form moved from
behind tree short distance away,
and sneaked off up the gulch, great crys-
tai tears chasing each other down his
face.
The family arose from their knees and
began to move the stores into the cabin.
There were several sacks of flour,
hams, canned fruits, pounds and pounds
of coffee, tea and sugar, new dress goods
and handsome warm wooden shawl for
the widow; shoes, stockings, hats, nit
tens and clothing for the children big
wax doll that would cry and move its
eyes, for Totty, and beautiful red sled
for Benny. All were carried inside,
amid alternate laughs and cries.
Bring the sack of salt, Totty, and
that is all, }" said the mother. is not
God good to us ?"
" can't lift it, mamma; it's froze to
the step."
The mother stopped and took hold of
1t and lifted harder and harder, until she
raised it from the step. Her cheek
blanched as she noted its great weight,
and she carried it in and laid it on the
table. With trembling fingers she loosed
the string and emptied the contents
upon the table. Gold and silver-more
than she had ever thought of in her
widest dreams of comfort, and almost
buried in the pile of treasure lay Totty's
little blue stocking.
We will not intrude longer on such
happiness, but leave the joyous family
sounding their praise to heaven-and
Santa Claus.
The whole story soon reached Mrs.
Stewards ears. She knew Jack Dawson
by sight, and when she next met him,
although the honest fellow tried hard to
push by her, she caught hold of his coat
and compelled him to stand and listen
to her fearful thanks. The tears shed
were not all hers, for when Jack moved
away there were drops of liquid crystal
hanging to his ruddy cheeks.
Four months from that merry Christ
mas" Mrs. Stewart became Mrs. Jack
Dawson, and every evening, when the
hardy miner returns from his daily labor
to his comfortable and happy home,
Totty and Benny will climb upon his
strong knees, and almost smother him
with kisses, while they lovingly address
him as "Our Santa Claus papa''