The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-12-17
fur tbe CHILDREN.
The HOffmans' Santa Claus.


o. things; but you can't member that"
said Fritz, with an air of superiority,
for he was past six, and little Bah was
only four.
But why didn't he come last Chris
mas? | member that, cause you cried
when there Want anything in your
stockin'."
"I don't zactly know" was the
thoughtful reply. 81 guess he hadn't
found out where we lived, for we
moved after papa died. We used to
live in real pretty house, an had a
carpet on the floor an such nice fires!
An mamma didn't sew for other folks
then"
"But l wish Santa Claus would
come" pleaded Bah.
." Mebbe he will,'' said Fritz, hope
fully. What do you want him to
bring?"
'Somethin' good to eat" answered
the child, hungrily smacking her lips.
Poor babes!" sighed the mother.
Then, rising, she sprinkled half the re-
naming coal upon the embers.
Can we go an look in at the shop
windows Just a little while?' asked
Fritz. eve won't 90 far, an they
are so pretty"
Yes replied the mother, mentally
adding, " it is little Christmas pleasure
they can have at the best" Then,
aloud, " Fritz, bring my shawl"
This was the one comfortable gar
ment left from former days, and she
wrapped it about the little girl, pinning
it up at the shoulders to prevent its
dragging: and, except that the shoes
and stockings were thin and old, Bah
was quite well protected. Fritz was
not so fortunate, but he was a sturdy
little fellow and declared that he did
not mind the cold.
AS they fingered in front of bakery,
looking with longing eyes at the tempt
ing display of good things, and snuffing
the delicious odors issuing from the
great ovens, they CHANGED to spy, stand
ing at the counter, stout, gray-bearded
man, in fur cap and shaggy overcoat.
L" Fritz! FRITZ" cried Bah, excitedly,
"there's Santa Claus! | know him by
the picture in your book"
Fritz became excited too.
cit does look jest like him, don't it?
b'live 'tis!"
cob, let's go an ask him, an tell
him where we live," cried Bah, tug
SlnS il uCl DlOlnCl dllu'
"No," answered the more cauti-
Gus Fritz, Z" let's wait until he comes
out: the shopman might send us right
away"
They had not long to wait, for soon
the old gentleman came out, slipping
sundry small percels into his capacious
pockets.
Are you Santa Claus ?" piped little
Bah, her upturned face aglow with
anticipation.
A broad smile overspread the ruddy
features, and a hearty Haw, haw,
haw!" followed.
"Dot's a good choke, now" and again
the shaggy Overcoat shook as though
keeping time with the laugh. Truly,
Santa Claus appeared to be very jolly
individual. "Vell, den, l say ya-as
but don't you tell somepody. Vat shall
l prings you ~
Little Bah had shrunken timidly be-
hind her brother, but now, treasured,
she came forward, saying, Somethin'
good to eat"
I'VE want to tell you where we live, :"
added Fritz, 'cause we've moved since
you used to come to our house"
Ya-as, but cooms dis time. Ware
you Ifs now?"
Jest round the first corner in the
alley, second door, upstairs" replied
Fritz, eagerly pointing with his be-
numbed forefinger.
Swat your names is?"
Fritz Hoffman, Z" Barbara Hoff-
man." answered both children at once.
Hoffman, Santa Claus stared per-
ceptibly, " Vat your fader's name is?''
''He's dead,' answered Fritz, in a
low tone; I" his name was Heindrich."
"Vell if dot don't beats everythings
Heindrich Hoffman's children"
Then turning to Bah, he said gently,
you wants something's to eat-coom
right in here" and he led the way into
the bake-shop and babe the children eat
their fill
"May l carry little to mammal"
questioned Fritz, his blue eyes full of
unshed tears.
"Santa Claus will do dot" was the
kindly answer; you shoost eat"
When the hungry children had Toasted
until they were satisfied, the old gray
beard said, " Now, den, you runs right
home and tells your mutter dat Santa
Claus is coomin' sure 'nough."
Fritz and Bah needed no second bid
ding, but scampered home as fast as
their feet could carry them.
g Mamma! mammal" they shouted
"Santa Claus is comin' We've seen
him-we've had lots to eat-he'll bring
us coal!'
Such a clamor of eager voicesl II
seemed as though there were half,
dozen children instead of two.
"Why, what do you mean? Have
you gone crazy?" asked the mother
rising from her bed and for the moment
almost forgetting the pain in her side
The fire was nearly out and the room
was cold.
"Please put more coal on" urged
Fritz, " so to have it little warmer
when Santa Claus comes"
"Then we shall have none for morn.
ing, dear" answered the mother, A" anC
it seems very warm to me-"
Alas, she did net realize that she was
burning with fever!
"But Santa Claus will bring more .
cried both children. Z" He was Sc
kindl'' and they expected all that the
new-found saint had said.
Mrs. Hoffman listened passively; she
was so accustomed to disappointment
that Il oil oaap,ad lilo q hnav hnt n .