The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-12-22

this very day! And whatever is going to
be done had better be done.N
81 am sorry, DEAR" said the lady, ''to
have to disappoint you. l hoped it would
not be so bad. But you must be INV brave
daughter, and remember that although we
cannot afford to make any outward show
of our gladness, we have great deal to be
thankful for, and we can be really glad in
our hearts when we think what Christmas
means, to us and to all the world.n
Eyes, / know" said Kate, with her great
eyes fixed on her mother; land, besides
that, have you and you have me, and you
are my Christmas present and am YOURS
Then she gave the lady a kiss and con-
tinued: But it is very nice to have a
party, as we did last year, and Christmas
tree and such fun! Mamma, does Santa
Claus ask people whether they can afford
it before he comes"
The eyes were so steady that one of two
things had to be done-either answer or
run away. The lady on this occasion ran
away, SAYING: 'tWe will talk about that
some other time. must go out before the
snow gets too deep in the street."
''Very WE'LL" said Katy, with dignity
81 can wait. But, mamma, it is not wrong
to have as good time as we camp
"No, indeed, my darling"
"Then suppose you leave it to me- said
the child. Her mother was just going out
of the room, and scarcely paused to think
what Katy might mean; she said lightly I:
eyes, dear, I'll leave tito you," and went
up stairs to dress for her walk, with mind
full of more serious cares than those of a
Christmas celebration.
As soon as she was gone little Kate
walked straight to the register in the floor.
She had reasoned it all out beforehand.
Santa Claus couldn't get in by the fire.
place, because there wasn't any. But per-
haps the register, communicating as it did
with the furnace, and that with the Chin
ney, would do as well. And one of the
girls at school had told her. tf'e4-f you
wanted anything from Santa N5lAOs you
must call it Into the chimney the day be-
fore Christmas. So she held her pretty
head over the register in spite. of the hot
air; and thus it came to pass that the
agent, who was at that moment poking
about the furnace in the cellar, heard a
silvery voice calling, "Santa ClausW
"Thunder an lightning!" said the agent
"who's that" This remark was addressed
to nobody in particular: but Katy heard
it with great delight. "Thunder and light.
ming !" she repeated, softly; ''why that's
the same as bonner and blitzen-'On
Comet! on, Cupid! on Bonner and Bitten =
mamma said so! o, it must be Santa
SliuS hlhNNAAs JuoN SOiiS bOiOi g
hand. to find out what people would like
bestw And, not a bit frightened, she
called down the register again: "It's me
Katy. Don't you remember me? | would
remember you, just as plain as anything
if | could only see you once! Pm awful
glad | came to the register just as you did
but perhaps Istopped you coming up this
way into the parlor? We're you coming NJ
this way into the parlor, Santa Claus"
1.
who found it very warm, even where he
was; "when l come Pll come by the door
an advise you to do the same, me darlin'
This hot air isn't good for yer little lungs
go, Santa Claus, how funny your voice
sounds! 1t sounds just like the jolly agent
that comes for the rent"
"An' / couldn't lisimble bitter gintle
man; he's broth of boy, that agent, an
don't we forget it! Sure l know him well
But | must be gittin' out % this, or I'll spoil
me complexionw
every WE'LL" called Katy; 81 shall ex
pect you at the front door" But she got
no reply, for the agent had gone, and in q
minute more was rubbing his head with
snow to cool it down, as he said, to q
"plisant summer hate" while he hurried
away to old Crabbe's in order not to be toe
late with his report-and, for the time
being forgot little Katy and her childish
fancy.
Then Katy's mother came down stairs
and went out also--by the back door, be-
cause she was afraid of the front steps
and Katy was left alone in the house. Fol
more than an hour she sat by the window
watching for Santa Claus to come. Atlast
she saw figure in shaggy coat and big
hat, all covered with snowfiakes. That
must be he! she thought, as she clasped
her hands. He came nearer; he stopped
on the other side of the street; he looked
at No. 142;' he began to CROSSINGS, it
was Santa Claus! Katy flew through the
hall, opened the front door, and-to Be con.
tiRued in oar meet!