Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-12-28


Flo's old doll, and hang it from the branches
of the cottonwood at the point and, if the
child finds it there, she will become firm
believer in Santa Claus, and also in you, my
dear. Master Frank will have to buy a new
doll for his sister out of his own pocket
money, as punishment for storytelling"
Mrs Scott was only half satisfied with this
prosposal; but, since she could think of no
better, she accepted it and went to bed, fully
determined to tell Susie that the boy had
only been joking her. When morning came
she was so busy packing up and preparin g
breakfast that she had no time to run over to
the house, whose inmates were as yet not up,
and in the hurry of an early start she went
away without seeing the child.
Mr.. Scott, however, was true to his prom
ise, and fastened Flo's doll to a low branch
of the cottonwood tree, so that Susie could
not fail to see and get it, should she come
there.
The hours passed very slowly to Susie that
day. Her father was at home, with heavy
head and vile temper, so that the poor girl
had no chance to look at her new book until
towards evening, when Bill went out to chop
some wood then, slipping it from under her
pillow, she became so absorbed in the illus
trations that she did not notice her fathers
return. He no sooner saw what she was do
ing than he snatched the book from her.
You lazy, good fer nothin' crooked piece"
he yelled, eyer nice 'un ter be lookin' at
picters. What did those internal, stuck-up
fools want ter be givin' of sich trash to
you?" Then turning the leaves over, and
perceiving that it was quite a new book:
"Well, arter all, l kin take it down to Dutch's
gal tomorrow, and guess the old skunk III
set 'em up fer Christmas Git ter bed, you
snivelling brat, or I'll whale you goodH'
Too terrified to take time to undress, Susie
crept into bed with all her clothes on, Just in
time to escape blow from stick of wood
that her father threw at her. Burying her
head under the blankets, she lay there Sob
bing bitterly over the loss of her treasure.
Then she began to recall what had been told
her about Santa Claus and she felt some
what comforted by the thought that her
fathers absence at Dutch's on the morrow
would give her the longed-tor opportunity
of creeping down to the old cottonwood.
"And surely" thought the little wait, "if
Mr.. Claus and Him loves young 'uns so,
they'll not forget me altogether" and so
thinking she dozed of.
Christmas Day dawned at last,-a bright,
bitterly cold morning, with sharp east
wind, and Susies heart beat high with hope
and expectancy when she found that no
snow had fallen during the night, and that
the old tree was still standing, for she had
feared that Santa Claus might tear it down,
in his anger, if he were upset there.
Bill Girling only staid at home long
enough to get his breakfast. AS he rode away
be shouted to Susie
"Yon git ter bed at candle-light. Eff finds
yer up I'll straighten yer back, see eff
lon'tn'
Had Bill seen the CLEAN of satisfaction
that danced into his child's tired eyes, as he
rode down the road, he would have executed
MS threat there and then, for Susie felt
rarely excited at the thought of her coming
adventure.
Remembering what Mrs. Scott had told
her about the probable time of Santa Claus
return to Mica Gulch, she waited with anx-
ously expectant heart until the sun cast a
shadow from the hills to the westward of her
home; and then, pinning an old comfort
round her, and taking strong stick she had
found, to help herself along, she prepared to
yet out on her expedition; but, suddenly re-
Ealing that the stranger-lady had told her
hat Santa Claus was our Savior's great
friend, she turned first to her bed and took
hence the wood-cut of Him; 'for," thought
The, "if Mr.. Claus should meet me on the
'oad he'll see as knows Him." Then, con-
'idering that she must hold the picture so
hat it could be easily seen, she tied it to a
'mall stick, which she carried between her
eeth, and thus, with her banner futtering
n the breeze, she began her weary pilgri- !
mage.
Slowly she made her way onward. Twice |
Ter crutch slipped ON the frozen ground, and
he deformed body lay twisting in pain but |
ach time she managed with much difficulty |
o raise herself again to her feet 1t was
lear sunset, and Susies strength was almost
xhaus ted, before she reached the cotton
VoOd tree; but her WEAKNESS and troubles
we're all forgotten then, for there, dangling
o branch, was doll-a real aOar doll!
Had Susie ever been at school, she might
ave expressed her mingled surprise and de-
ght in appropriate terms; but, as she was
My an ignorant, neglected child, yearning
'r the love and attention she never found,
hose feelings had been trOdden down. but
OF destroyed, by cruel treatment, she simply
ried, in halfwhisper, "Oh, my!" and, hob
ling up to the place, she pulled the treasure
own and hugged it to her breast. Needless
ow of cold or cruelty, happy in the thought
lat "Mr. Claus" had really left something
II her at last, Susie sat there, with her poor
ack supported against the tree; the doll in
le arm, and her cherished picture of Him !
no is so fond of little children, in the other
md, wondering whether it was He who had
Id Mr.. Claus" to come; or if, perhaps, "Mr '
aus" had seen her picture; and thus she fell l
leep.-
But never doleful dream again !,
Shall break the happy slumber when II
He giveth His beloved Sleep" r
And thus, in the morning, they found her, b
th far happier smile on her face than any ;,
no had known Susie had ever seen there in y
Bill Girling had pIotracted his Christmas A
yelries until late in The night, and when h. :,
ached home he was too drunk to know or
re whether Susie was in bed or not 1t was
ly owing to the exertions of two men who al
me from Fort Botkin, with the gifts which Il
been collected there for Susie, that the =,
lids ifeless body was found the next :,
Y.
In the middle of that little valley to-day,
} two graves nicely fenced in, and at the
aller is q head-board bearing Susie Girl
Is name, and the words, Suffer little chill N
IN to come unto me.n . 81 fssis sutaas- 81