Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-06-20

box on which was written with piece Of
charcoal:
"Santa Claus doesn't always Give poor
folks The shake in this camp"
y y
Christmas morning dawned bright and
beautiful. The night had been a sting
ing cold one, and when the rising sun
peeped over the chain of mountains to
the east, and shot his beams to the west
ern range, the sparkling frost flashed
from the snow-clad peaks as though their
towering heads were sprinkled with pure
diamonds.
Mrs. Stewart arose, and shade Of
pain crossed her handsome face, as the
empty little stocking caught the matern-
al eye. She cast a hurried glance to-
ward the bed where her darlings lay
sleeping, and whispered:
"Oh, God how dreadful is poverty"
She built a glowing fire, and set about
preparing the frugal breakfast. When
it was almost ready she approached the
bed, kissed the little ones until they were
wide awake, and lifted them to the floor
With eager haste Totty ran to the stock
ings, only to turn away, sobbing as
though her heart would break Tears
blinded the mother, and clasping her lit.
tie girl to her heart, she said in chok-
ing voice
"Never mind, my darling; next Christ
mas, am sure mamma will be richer,
and Santa Claus will bring us lots Of nice
things"
"Oh. Mamma ~
The exclamation came from little Ben
ny, who had opened the door and was
standing gazing in amazement upon the
wealth Of gifts there displayed.
Mrs. Stewart sprang TO his side and
looked in speechless astonishment. She
read the card, and then causing her little
ones to kneel down with her in the open
doorway, she poured out her soul in a
torrent of praise and thanksgiving to
God.
Jack Dawson's burly form moved from
behind tree some distance away, and
sneaked off in the gulch, 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 were several sacks Of -four, hams,
canned fruits, pounds and pounds of cof-
fee, tea and sugar, new dress goods, and
a handsome warm woolen shawl for the
widow, shoes, stockings, hats, mittens,
and clothing for the children, a big wax
doll that could cry and move its eyes, for
Totty, and beautiful red sash for Ben
ny. All were carried inside, amid alter
nate laughs and tears.
Bring in the sack OF salt, Totty, and
that is all" said the mother. ." Is not
God good to u.s.
q can't lift it, mother; it's froze to
the step"
The mother stopped and took hold Of
it and lifted harder and harder, until she
raised it from the step. Her cheeks
blanched as she noted its great weight,
and she carried it in and laid it down
upon the breakfast table. With tremb-
ling fingers she loosed the string and
emptied the contents upon the table.
Gold and silver-more than she had ever
thought of in her widest dreams of COM
fort, and almost buried in the pile of
treasure lay Totty's little blue stocking.
We will not intrude longer upon such
happiness, but leave the joyful family
sounding praise to Heaven-and to Santa
Claus.
The whole story soon reached Mrs.
Stewards ears. She knew Jack Dawson
by sight, and when she next saw him, al
though the honest fellow tried hard to
push by her, she caught hold of his coat
and compelled him to stop and listen to
her fearful thanks. The tears shed were
not all hers, for when Jack moved away
there were drops of crystal hanging to his
ruddy cheeks.
Four months from that "Merry Christ
mas" Mrs. Stewart became Mrs. Jack
Dawson, and every evening, when the
happy miner returns from his daily labor
to his comfortable and happy home, Tot
ty and Benny will climb upon his strong
knees, and almost smother him with
kisses, while they lovingly address him
as Sour Santa Claus Papa. - Williams
port Breaktast-taJle.
Sarah Rernbardt carried n Greek