Connecticut western news., 1883-12-19
"Many happy returns of the day,

 nor Tilly's ten times," at which Sis re- seated herself, blushing with pleasure and feeling, perhaps, the least speck pufed up at her success. Poor little waif, it was something new for her to re- ceive praise.
 The speeches having been given to their entire satisfaction, Joe felt his duty as host somewhat relaxed and, leaning back against the side of the packing case, he remarked, carelessly:
 "What do you think of my pictures, Sis ?"
 "They're jess lovely, Joe; where did you get 'em ?" replied Sis, trying to sip the lemonade from her oyster shell, just as she had seen ladies of her acquaint- ance take their saucers full of tea.
 "Oh, picked 'em up round about Was you ever at circus, Sis?'
 "No;" and seeing that she had rather fallen in Joe's estimation at this confess sion she hastily added, "but I was to Moody's and Sankey's onct." This not producing exactly the effect she ex- pected, she continued with:
 "Do you believe in Santy Claws, Joe?"
 "What? The feller what comes down chimney and sich rubbish? Do you think as I've got anything soft about me ?" Then, catching the look of dis appointment on the girls face, he hastily added: "Maybe there's something int for girls"
 "Oh.I wish there was, exclaimed Sis, tucking up her little bare toes beneath her skirt, for, although it was rather a mild night for that time of year, still, now the fire was dying out and the feast fast dipappearing, the cold air began to make itself felt.
 "I don't s'pose Santy Claws has much time to bother about sich shabby little girl as me, but I'd like really, really doll," and the child's eyes shone with such a happy light at the bare thought that some one outside the packing-case came very near betraying himself.
 'And," continued the girl, "I'd want him to bring you sich 8 lot of things lovely big cake" Then, thinking that perhaps she was reheoting upon the smallness of the one they had just eaten, she quickly added: "But it couldn't be beautifuller nor your'n.'
 "Why, Sis, I say, what's the matter ? you've got sich red cheeks and"
 "Have I?" and Sis's little brown hand went up to her face at Joe's words, as she continued with-"perhaps it's the lemonade"
 "Cracky what's that ?" and Joe gazed open-eyed at folded piece of paper that had fallen from the sky, as it ap- paaned to him, right into his lap. elf it's any of them boys," he ejaculated, jumping up, "I'll put head on 'em." ''Oh Joe, look here, there's writing od it, maybe, oh maybe it's from Santy Claws" exlaimed Sis.
 Although Joe muttered "fiddlesticks, his eyes were round with astonishment when he read on the paper: "For Mas ter Joe and Miss Sis," and on opening it found ffty-cent piece and more writ ing, or rather printed letters, which read:
 ''Santa Claus is very sorry that he had nothing left to give Joe and Sis tonight, but if they will be at packing-case house tomorrow morning at ten, some one will be there to take them to friend ot Santa Claus, where perhaps there will g really doll and beautiful cake.'
 "Well, I'm blessed, was all Joe could utter, while Sis, clapping her hands with delight, cried out:
 "Oh, Joe, I knowed there was Santy Claws. Isn't he good? Jess think, he calls this packing-case house; how funny"
 "Well," answered Joe, 'there's the money and there's the letter, and it does look queer"
 "You'll be here, Joe, won't you ? questioned Sis, little anxiously.
 "Yes, I guess so I don't know of any other appointment to hinder" replied Joe, with a grin, who was rapidly re- covering his usual manner, and, after { moments thought, he continued with
 "I tell you what, Sis We'll gel Mother Mack to put us up tonight We'll have jolly good beds for once an6 breakfast that'll make your mouth water. Come alopg." So saying, Joe blew out the light and deposited tht the candle in his pocket, while Sis, ty ing her bonnet strings, followed hin forth into the night, casting a half expectant look around for the kind Sant, Claus who had not forgotten them Thus, together they pass out from tn, vacant lot, full of bright anticipations o the morrow.
 A year had come and gone since tn night of Joe's treat and the very sam store where Joe purchased his Christ mas Eve cake was again full of choic dainties in that line, and the same ol gentleman was there: but this time, in stead of gazing in at the window, h was making his way inside, holding b. the hand pretty little girl, with swee blue eyes and silky fair hair, hugging lovely doll possessing huff and flu tippet, while accompanying them was bright, intelligent-looking boy. Bot children were neatly, even handsomel clad. All at once the little girl ez claimed excitedly:
 "Oh! Uncle, there's the very sam cake man as last year. See, Joe, ther he is I wonder if he will know you2"
 'Of course he won't, Sis, I've change my tailor since then," and the boy