River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-12-18

come.
When he had gone papa took off his
slippers and put on his boots, exchanged
his dressing gown for his coat, and made
preparations for going out.
where are you going?" asked his
wife.
cts Christmas eve, you know, my
dear, and Jim mustn't think that Santa
Claus has forgotten her. Well hang
up her stocking, and if the biggest doll
and the handsomest picture books that
can be found won't go into it candy and
knick-knacks will, and the rest can be
piled upon the floor" and kissing her
fondly, he went out into the street, the
happiest man in New York. Every poor
child he met had reason to remember
the Handsome gentleman" as they
called him. He had five dollar bill
changed into small coin, and this he
placed in his overcoat pockets, where it
was handy; and he gave literally to
every poor child he saw. At one place
he saw a crowd of poverty stricken
children gazing hungrily into window
at the dainties temptingly displayed,
and took them all in and bought gener-
Gus supplies of cakes, candies and or
anges, something for every one, saying
to them: ''These are from my little
jim !"
1t is Christmas morning. The big
house is all alive to-day; the curtains
are all drawn aside, and the glad sun
shine streams in everywhere. Mamma,
with a happy smile on her face, goes all
over the house, up stairs and down
stairs, as lively as girl. Nannette has
opened Jim's pretty little room and put
it all in fresh order. Christmas green's
are all over the house, and every one is
happy and busy, for Jim is coming
home Capt. Cain has not left his own
room (where the telephone is located
since breakfast. At about IL o'clock
comes lively ring, followed by Hello!
is that you. Capt. Cain ?"
Eyes, is it you, Morton?"
Eyes, the Sea Bird is at the pier!"
Before the captain took one step away
from the telephone he fell ON his knees
and earnestly thanked God for the safe
arrival of the ship. As he ose he called
fer mamma to tell the glad news to her,
but she had heard the telephone bell,
and was in the room all the time, and
was on her knees too, tying to express
her gratitude. The carriage was at the
door, and papa jumped in, and was
driven away to the pier where the Sea
Bird was lying. AS he alighted Nor
ton met him. "Your little girl is Gll
right, he said. 1--WE been ON board
and have seen her, and they hurried on
to the ship and in moment Capt Cain
had Jim in his arms. How she kissed
him, and Rugged him, her own dear
papa, whom she had not seen in such
long time!
Papa almost crushed Capt. Brooks
fingers in the grip he gave him. You
must come home with us" he said.
ooh thank you'll but it's impossible.
I have a wife and some little lads who
are expecting me. I've only waited to
deliver my passenger safely to you;
now Tn off for home!"
well, you will come and see us"
"Oh, yes, think too much OF my
little friend to be willing to lose sight
of her."
Jim with her "tat" her parrot, her
doll and other treasures. was soon m
side the carriage WITH papa rapidly
rolling toward home. Tt is impossible
to describe the scenes that took place
in Capt Gains house that Christmas
day. Mamma wept tears of joy and
could hardly let her little Ruth leave
her arms-arms that had been empty
so longl Nannette could not do enough
for her, aud all the servants shared the
general feeling of thankfulness and
Joy.
Kitty, Who had by this time grown
to be quite good sized cat, did not
behave very we'll; she acted as if she did
not remember that this was her old
home, and would like to get back to
the ship, so she had to be shut up until
she was hungry, and then, Nannette
said. she would stay where she was fed.
Mammal" said Jim, II can say cat