Smyrna times., 1882-01-11

pun llCClC SlIlS, anu LudJ she must not eG-
pect he would come to their home this |
Christmas But little Mary's faith was
strong.
Why, papa" she said, inaocentlv. |
"didn't he bring ever 80 many good things |
to Maggie Stuart's home last Christmas? ? |
A big turkey, Il lot Of potatoes, big doll, |
and, you know, they was awful poor"
All, yes, my child; but they were sent
by God. lie saw in his infinite goodness,
that Widow Stuart was in need of those
things. and so put it into the mind of good
old lars0n Metcalf to send them to her"
And wont God be just as kind to us.
papa. ANA send Santa Claus here?"
The question was too much for James
Fleming. Although he thought God was
dealing strangely with him, yet his faith
IN Divine Providence was strong.
,oAe, Mary, 1t is time you were in
hyd said Alice, closing her Bible and
rinng from her seat
Yes, just wait till pin these stockings
aP. There one torpapa. one for mamma.
one for you, and this little one for me.
There IS little hole in mine. but have
pinned it up, and | guess the candies
won tumble ont, SO saying she set to
work to place them in a row over the fire
place.
net t'iAh Al NSl hlCC OAC gave YOU,
Allie, said the child, when she had com
pleted her task. 1t was the best could
lind, though ii is all stuck together with
molasseS or something Of that kind"
" 1t will do very well, dear" said Alice.
sno herring sob for she identified the
stocking at once as the one she had thrown
in the ragbag at Mrs. tiraham's on that
memorable day when the baby spilled the
mucllage on the floor and daubcd every
thing within his reach. 1t brought up
tond memories Of those happy by-gone
days.
Kissing their parents goodnight, they
both retired to bed Nary buoVant and
hopeful, and Alice sad and thoughtful.
The morning dawncd clear and cold
\ beautiful Christmas Day Mury was
the first TO open her eyes. and it was not
long before she had Alice wide awake.
Alice managed to keep her iii bed, low
ever, notwithstanding the little one anx-
iely to &C down stairs and see what Santa
Claus had brought, She told Mary that
she must not expect 70 find ANYTHING in
her stocking, as they were too poor 10
have Christmas presents But Mary
would not believe i. She knew santa
Clada would not pass them by. She WAS
sure he would bring them something.
Consequently, when it got lighter. she rot
her sisters consent TO 90 down stairs.
Softly She glided down and reached The
room where the stockings were hung.
/ Her own was the first to occupy her attcn-
ton; bat Il look of disappointment came
love her bright face when she found that
there Was nothing in it. She next went TO
her mother BUTT was also empty; then her
| fathers, but of course, found nothing in
1t. She was ready to cry when she saw
| Alice stocking as empty looking as the
rest. She took hold of it to assure herself
that 1t was empty, when her countcnance
suddenly changed, for she certainly felt
/ some little thing down IN the Toe. Yes.
/ Santa Claus had come She knew that he
had left that little thing, whatever it was.
III her sisters stocking. 1t seemed to give
her us much JOY as if her own stocking
had been crammed full Of good things.
Swiftly running up to her room again.
where Alice was already up and dressing.
she informed her of the news. She was
surprised 10 see the child so clated, but
ioid her hat probably piece of rag had
got into the stocking.
No, Allie, know it's present Santa
Claus has brought you. Come down and
see."
Get on your clothes, Mary, and then
we will go down and see what it is" said
the sister cheerfully, although it made her
feel sorrowtul to think what sad Christ
mas Day it would be in their home.
Mary was soon dressed, and ran down
stairs 10 wait for her sister, who said she
would come down as soon as she opened
the windows and fixed the bed clothes for
airing. There she sat gazing at the stock
ing, wondering what it could be that Santa
Claus had brought. Mr.. and Mrs. Flcm-
ing came in, and Mary told them Of the
good fortune that was in store for Alice
Mrs. Fleming went up to the stocking.
but saw at glance that it had not been
touched since it was hung up the night
before by her little girl.
But feel, mamma said Mary, hope
fully, there is something in it.
Mrs. Fleming took hold Of the toe of
the stocking.
Only little roll of rags, dear. Never
mind, mamma 5 darling shall have good
Christmas some OF these DAYS" Fleming
gave sigh at these last words. Would
that promise ever he kept? The future
did Mt certainly look very encouraging.
Alice came down presently, and was
met at the door by her little sister. who
fairly pulled her toward the place where
her stocking hung.
" See,' said Mary, hor eyes sparkling
with expectation. Here it is, away
down in the toe"
. 1t is nothing but some papers, or a few
rags, dear that have gotten in there when
among the rags" said Alice, as she turned
away.
NO. am sure it is something from
Santa Claus persisted little Mary, still
holding on to her sisters dress. "Open
it, wont you, Allie, please?"
Alice took the stocking, and to satisfy
the child, tried to work her hand down
into it, but she found it impossible as the
mucilage held it tightly together. Taking
u pair of scissors, she cut small hole in
the toe, and out fell small roll on the
floor. She saw sticking out at one end of
the roll something that very much re-
sembled money. She picked it up. Could
she believe her eyes? 1t way money
With a trembling hand she quickly united
the piece of pink cord which was around
the wad, and unfolded the piece of paper
in which the bills were enclosed, and saw
at q glance that it was n bill bearing Mr.
Grahams name, from Lloyd & Russell.
NervOusly she counted the roll of bills
and discovered the amount to be $l75 ex-
|, actlyl She saw through the whole thing
in an instant. This was the money which
had been lost out of Mr. Graham's pocket
book, and which he thought she had
stolen. The roll of bills had fallen out OF
the wallet, which had boen thrown on the
floor by the baby upsetting the stand,
The young scamp had stuffed il into the
stocking, which he daubed with mucilage
and which had been thrown into the rag
4 ha0 bV herself Thara IL had ran,o;n ad