The Brookhaven leader., 1884-12-25

side the packing-case came very near
betraying himself.
"And," continued the little girl, I'D
want him to bring you such lot Of
things-a lovely big cake" Then.
thinking that perhaps she was rejecting
upon the smallness of the one they had
just eaten, she quickly added: but it
couldn't be beauterfuller nor your N"
"Why, sis, say, what's the matter?
you've got SIGH red cheeks and"
Have r." and sis 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?n and Joe
gazcd open-eyed at folded piece of
paper that had fallen from the sky, as
it appeared to him, right into his lap.
"If its any of them boys" he ejacu-
lated jumping up, 'Tll put head on
EN-.
"Oh! Joe, look here, there's writing
on it, maybe, oh! maybe it's from
SANITY Claws exclaimed sis.
Although Joe muttered fiddle
sticks, his eyes were round with as
constituent when he read on the paper:
For Master Joe and Miss Sis, and on
opening it found inside a fifty-cent
piece and more writing, or rather
printed letters, which read:
Santa Claus is very sorry that he
had nothing left to give Joe and Sis to-
night. but if they will be at the pack
ing-case house tomorrow morning
at ten, some one will be there to take
them to a friend of Santa Claus, where
perhaps there will be really doll and
a beautiful cake"
"Well. I'm blessed" was all Joe
could utter, while Sis, clapping her
hands with delight, cried out:
"Oh, Joe, | knowed there was a
Sanity 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, guess so; | don't know of
any other appointment to hinder" re
piled Joe, with a grin, who was rapidly
recovering his usual manner, and, after
moments thought, he continued
with:
Il tell youwhat. sis; We'll get Mother
Mack to put us up tonight. Well
have Jolly good beds for onct and a
breakfast that'll make your mouth
water Come along" SO saying, Joe
blew out the light and deposited the
candle in his pocket, while sis, tying
her bonnet strings, followed him forth
into the night, casting half-expectant
look around for the kind Santa Claus
who had not forgotten them. Thus,
together they pass out from the vacant
lot, full of bright anticipations of the
morrow.
A year had come and gone since the
night of Joe's treat and the very same
store where Joe purchased his Christ
mas Eve cake was again full of choice
daintes in that line, and the same old
gentleman was there; but this time, in
stead of gazing in at the window, he
was making his way inside, holding by
the hand pretty little girl, with blue
eyes and silky fair hair, hugging a
lovely doll possessing a mutf and fur
tippet, while accompanying them was
a bright. intelligent looking boy. Both
children were neatly, even handsomely
clad All at once the little girl ex-
claimed excitedly:
"Oh! Uncle, there's the very same
cake man as last year. See, Joe, there
he is, I wonder if he will know youP"
'Of course he won't, sis, I've changed
my tailor since them" and the boy
laughing eyes twinkled with fun, while
the old gentleman chuckled until he
was red in the face, and the two
children had to pat him on the back to
keep him from choking.
1T must be plum cake and big
was the little girls order, and she had
her way Years after, when she grew
up and had nice home of her own.
she used to tell her children about Joe s
treat and how through it two of New
York's little waits found such happy
hOme.-F7Orence ReUere Penddr, IN
Philadelphia Times.