The Red Cloud chief., 1882-01-12

Daisy grew quiet as she listened TO
the sweet old story of the Babe i'm a
manger Graded eighteen hundred years
ago; and looking up with her own sweet
smile, she said: IL dcSs Santa Claus
don't know we're here; but l Lss
God'Il tell him."
The days flew on. and Daisy's fears
flew away with them. Santa WAS com
ing. sure. He hadn't known, but he
was coming now. No one said any,
thing more to weaken her faith, aud
she chartered on, planning gifts for
every one.
Heavy SHOWS fell the week before
Christmas. and the children kept in
doors or built forts in the ward. Two
days before, Old Jim seemed deter
mined that n one but himself should
leave the premises. Mrs. Hurst Won
dered at his unusual readiness at errand
doing. but thought no more OF it. Ii
her windows had looked out upon tho
main road she would have wondered
what the passcrs-by found to look at on
The corner; and If she had sailed out to
solve the mystery. this is what she
would have found in black. staggering
letters or n white boarG, nailed up like
a country guide board, with an index
finger pointing straight at the white
house in the lane:
SE- MR.. SANITY CLAWS
PLEEsE REMEMBER TIL
CHILDREN HEAR.
Some of the passers-by laughed
Some said: That is a good joke but
Remember the children here" rang in
many a fathers ears as he planned
Christmas gifts for the boys and girls at
home. Farmer Dykes little boy and
girl were some of the children. and
Farmer Dyke had been good neighbor
and a faithful friend till the drink
spoiled him.
Everybody remembered brave Cap
tain Ben and his pretty wife, and their
little children were there. Before
night it was all over the village. The
fathers and mothers were all astir; the
young folks were wide awake. and the
children were wild with enthusiasm.
Mrs. Hurst was surprised and delighted
at a request to furnish a list of the in
mates, with their special needs and
wishes, from old Jim down to little
Daisy. 1t was decided TO have it all
done quietly in the ld-fashioned way:
and even Mother Moody was Oguiled
into hanging one of her .'bluc and
white mixed" in the long row of wait
ing stockings.
Mrs. Hurst and old Jim worked late
in asserting and arranging the generous
pack that Santa Claus lett at the door.
Some one proposed sending the children
Testaments; but the white-haired old
pastor said: I'VE will give the gospel
of good works first, and preach to them
next summer"
But Christmas morning! Who can
describe 1.-THE establishment. the bOis-
ferrous delight of the children, the pa.
thctic pleasure of the older ones whose
tears came quicker than their smiles!
Daisy, with a precious mother doll and
a wee baby doll pressed close in her
arms, trOttcd from one to another in a
state of distracting delight. There
were "hosses and dogs. and pictures,
and books, and dollies little bits of
black dollies. and great big dollieS."
just as Daisy had said, and that which
met the wants of the grown up children
besides; and when to the noisy mirth of
the day was added the tender. encour-
aging words and b~eseeching prayer of
the white haired clergyman, it seemed
to be Christ's day indeed!
But the beautiful day was over at
last, and tired little Daisy whispered
softly, as she offered a "good- night"
kiss: "God sent him, and didn't for
get"
"Yes, darling" said Mrs. Hurst.
tenderly, "God sent him, but Jim
showed him the way"