The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-12-30
SANTA CLAUS DID NOT FORGET.

SANIA CLAUS DID NOT FORGET.
Pussy got into the house somehow,
Just as the least little streak OF morning
light was begjnn NO to peep through
the WlndoW curtains, and stole up
stairs. She Jumped upon the bed. and
rubbed her cold nose against Lii 5 face,
and Weakened her.
l. Il sprang up in her bed, for il came
to her like flash: ITS Christmas
Day."
Bessie, wake up Merry Christmasn'
she cried, patte inc downstairs to the
slttlng-room, after the Christmas stock
ings.
hey hadn't doubt of finding them
full. Santa Claus had never forgotten
them yet.
You can imagine, then, their dismav
when each little girl clasped a limp
and empty stocking. with not so much
as a sugar plum to ill out the toe.
They ran to mammals bedroom to
pour out their complaints.
">anta laus forgot u.s." cried Lii,
with starting tears.
He didn't bring us anything" said
Bessie. throwing herself across her
mothers feet in an agony of grief.
Il think its too bad" said Lii.
''He's real mean. I'll never like him
again" said Bessie.
''Oh, 90 back to bed,'' said mamma.
"1ou've got up too ea,ly. How do YOU
expect Santa Claus can always gel
around before daylight? There are
suck numbers of little boys and girls,
the wonder is that he gets round at all.
He'd never fo"get you, I'm sure. Go
back, and curl down in bed tillit' really
light. Then get up and dress your
selves nicely be ore you come down.
and you il see what YOU IL see
Rather disconsolate the little GIRLS
went back to ed
. You needn't feel so bad Bessie
Bradley. Haven't you found out
more II q hundred times, that mamma
knows about things better'n we do?''
said Lill
Il amt feelin' bad any more'n you
are, and Santa Claus is a comm in
about nine or eight minutes, said
Bessie.
While waiting for daylight they talked
of the presents they hoped to have, and
as soon as the sun peeped above the
eastern horizon they were up, and put
ting on their clothes as quickly as pos
sible, went down stairs
There was nobody in the sitting-room.
A fire was burn NO in the CRATE and the
stockings hung against the mantel, but
they still looked limp.
They were not near enough to be
sure they were empty, when loud
;"ioot! t6oH t2otn' sounded from some
where, with ingling of bells and q
tramping of feet.
Hes coming o, Lii Bradley, old
Santa $ com nG." said Bessie, cling
ing to her sister, skirts Lii held her
breath and said nothing.
The door flew open, and in bounced
Santa Claus, sure enough. He woe q
very furry coat and red cap. high and
pointed at the too, and bound with fur.
His eyes were hidden behind great
silver-rlmmed spectacies, and his hail
and beard were long and white as snow.
Mamma came out OF the bed-roo m
Just then, and Bessie and Lii sidled up
to her, and caught each one of her han Is,
feel ng hall afraid OF the queer, ''iolly
old elf" and then stood, silent and
watching.
The great pack upon Santa's back
didn' seem to be empty yet, and there
were packages peeping out OF every
pocket. out OF the breast of his coat and
even out of his sleeves. He seemed in
a tearing hurry.
"Whew' whewn' said he. This is
the first chance Pve had to take breath
since | started out last night. SO many
youngsters to visit this year! thought |
never should get round. Whew! how
hot it is here. Well, let's sect
He whirled the pack from his back
down on the rug, and began rummag-
ing vigorously among the packages
within it. "Only two stockings to ill
here, and little ones at that. I've lots
of presents left over"
lie drew out a package, held his head
on one side with funny little grimace
as he peeped into it, and then thrust it
into Lilps red stocking.
9Th IT'S q doll, | know" whispered
ILL, squeezing her mothers hand.
A similar package went into Ressie's
blue one. Then other smaller pack
ages till the stockings would hold no
more.
All the time he worked he kept Jerk
ing out funny little speeches about tbe
children and their wants, as if he knew
all about them.
Lii and sBess We're in a state of ovful
excitement. ILL thought there was
something familiar about the voice or
th9 motions or something; she couldn't
:" | believe I've seen him before. Else
dreamed did! Else he's some lilo
father!" she whispered. INV
Her mother laughed aloud ut this, It