The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-05-04

voices and the clicking of ivory
checks suddenly ceased. Then, in
an earnest voice, he told what he
had seen and heard, repeating every
word of the conversation between
the mother and her children. In
conclusion he said
BOYS, think | know you, every
one of you, and / know what kind
of metal yer made of I've an idee
that SANITY Claus knows jist where
that cabins sitiwated, an I've an
idee he viii find it afore morning.
Hvar's one of the little gals stock
in's that | hooked off7n the line whar
+ heard the wildly say she'd hung
! 'em with the washin'. The daddy o
them little 'uns was Il good, hard
workin' miner, and be crossed the
range in the line o duty. Just as any
of US is liable to do in our dangerous
/ business. Hyar goes twenty-dol-
lar gold piece right down in the toe,
an hyar | lay the stockin' on this
card table-now chip in much or
little, as you kin afford
Hold them checks of mine on
/ the ace. Jack" said Brock Clark, a
gambler, and, leaving the faro table,
he picked the little stocking up care
fully. looked at ii tenderly, and when
he laid it down, another twenty had
gone down into the toe, to keep COM
panv with the one placed there by
Dawson.
Another and another came up, un-
I Ill the foot of the stocking was well
filed, and then came the cry from
the gambling tables:
Pass her around, Jack"
At the word he lifted it from the
table and started around the hall.
Before he had circulated it at half
dozen tables it showed signs Of
bursting beneath the weight of gold
and silver coin: and Il strong coin
bag. such as Is used for sending
treasure by express, was procured,
and the stocking placed inside of it.
The round of the large hall was
made, and IN the m,a-time the sto-
~ had spread all over the camp.
From various saloons came messen-
gers saving:
Send the stockin' round the
camp; the boys are a waitin' for
it.
With a party at his heels, Jack
went from saloon to saloon. Games
ceased, and tiplers left the bars as
they entered each place, and miners,
gamblers, spectators, everybody,
crowded up to tender their Christ
mas gift to the miners widow and
orphans. Anyone who has lived in
the Far Western camps and is ac-
quainted with the generosity of
/ Western men, who feel no surprise
or doubt my truthiulness when /
say that after the round had been
made the little blue stocking and
the heavy canvas bag contained over
eight thousand dollars in gold and
silver coins.
Horses were procured and a party
dispatched to a large town down on
the Consummes, from which they
returned near daybreak with toys,
clothing, provisions, etc, in almost
endless variety. Arranging their
gifts in proper shape, and securely
tving the mouth of the bag of coin,
the party noiselessly repaired to the
widows humble cabin. The bag
was first laid on the step, and the
other articles piled up in heap over
it.
On the top was laid the lid of a
large pastebard box, on which was
written with a piece of charcoal:
"Santy Claus doesn't always Give
poor folks The shake in this camp.
Christmas morning dawned bright
and beautiful.
The night had been a singing
cold one, and when the rising sun
peeped over the chain Of mountains
to the East. and shot its beams upon
the Western range, the sparkling
frost flashed from the snow clad
peaks as though their towering
heads were sparkling with pure dia-
moHds.
Mrs. Stewart arose, and a shade of
pain crossed her handsome face, as
the empty little stockings caught
her maternal eye.
She cast a hurried glance toward
the bed where her darlingslay sleep
ing, and whispered:
"Oh, God how dreadful is power
ty."
She built a glowing fire, and set
about preparing the frugal break
fast.
When it was almost ready she APP
preached the bed, kissed the little
ones until they were wide awake,
and lifted them to the floor.
With eager haste Trotty ran to the
stockings, only to turn away, sob
bing as though her heart would
break.
Tears blinded the mother, and
clasping the little girl to her heart,
she said in a choking voice:
Never mind, my darling; next
Christmas | am sure mamma viii
be richer, and then Santa Claus will
bring US lots Of nice things"
"0h ! Mammal"
The exclamation came from little
Benny, who had opened the door
and was standing gazing in amaze
ment upon the wealth of gifts there
displayed.
Mrs. Stewart sprang TO his side
and looked in speechless astonish-
ment.
She read the card, and then, eaus-
ing her little ones to kneel down
with her in the open door way, she
poured out her soul in a torrent of
praise and thanksgiving to God.
Jack Dawson's burly fern moved
from behind a tree short distance
away, and sneaked off up the gulyl,
great crystal tears chasing each other
down his face.
The family arose from their knees
and began to move the stores into
the cabin. There we're several
sacks Of -four. ham, canned fruits.