McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-01-03
to the widows humble cabin.

repaired to the widows humble cabin
The bag was first laid on the step, and
the other articles piled up in a heap
over it. On the top was laid the lid Of
| large pasteboard box on which was
written with piece of charcoal: =,
"Santy Clause doesn't always Civ
poor Folks The shake in This camp."g
| Christmas dawned bright and beau
tiful. The night had been singing
cold one, and when the rising sun peep
ed over the chain of mountains to the
east, and shot its beams upon the west
ern range, the sparkling frost flashed
from the snow-clad peaks as though
their towering heads were sprinkled
with pure diamonds.
| Mrs. Stewart arose, and a shade OF
pain crossed her handsome face as, the
empty little stockings caught her ma
ternal eye. She cast Il hurried glance
toward the bed where her darlings lay
sleeping, and whispered: :.
aOh, God! how dreadful is poverty!''
h. She built glowing fire, set about
| preparing the frugal breakfast, and
when it was almost ready she approach
ed the bed, kissed the little ones until
they were wide awake and lifted them
to the floor. With eager haste lofty
ran to the stockings, only TO turn away
sobbing as though her heart would
break. Tears blinded the mother, and
clasping her little girl to her heart she
said in Il choking voice:
"Neyer mind, my darling; next
Christmas / am sure mamma will be
richer, and then Santa Claus will bring
us lots of nice things"
"Oh! mamma!''
The exclamation came from little
Benny, who had opened The door and
was standing gazing in Management upon
the wealth of gifts there displayed.
Mrs. Stewart sprang to his side and
looked'in speechless establishment. She
read the card, and then, causing he1
little ones to kneel down with her in
the open doorway, she poured out her
soul IN a torrent Of praise and thanks
giving to God. '.
Jack Dawson's burly form moved
from behind tree short distance
away, and sneaked off up the gulch,
great crystal tears chasing each othe
down his face. u.,..
The family arose from their kneesr
and began to move the stores into the
| room. There were several sacks of
flour, hams, canned fruits, pounds and
| pounds Of coffee, tea, and sugar, new
dress goods, and handsome, warm
wooden shawl for the widow, shoes,
cfnclrinrc hafc ,,,iffapo onI nlnt nr-
| for the children, great big wax doll
that could cry and move its eyes for
lofty, and "a beautiful red sled for
Benny. All were carried inside amidst
alternate laughs and tears. a=.
'sBring in the sack of salt, Totty, and
that is ALL" said the mother. SIS not
God good to usp''
81 can't lift it, mamma, it's frozen to
the step!"
The mother stopped and took hold of
it and lifted harder and harder, until
she raised it from the step. Her cheek
blanched as she noted it's great weight,
and breathelessly she carried it in and
laid it upon the breakfast table. With
trembling fingers she loosened the
string and emptied the contents upon
the table. Gold and silver-more than
she had ever thought of in her widest
dreams of comfort, and almost buried
in the pile of treasure lay Totty's little
blue stocking.
We will not intrude longer upon such
happiness, but leave the joyful family
sounding praises to Heaven and-Santa
Claus.
The whole story soon reached Mrs.
Stewards ears. She knew Jack DaW-
son by sight, and when she next met
him, although the honest fellow tried
hard to push by her, she caught hold
of his coat and compelled him to stand
and listen to her fearful thanks. The
tears shed were not all hers, for when
Jack moved away there were drops of
liquid crystal hanging to his rudy
cheeks.
Four months from that "Merrie
Christmas Mrs. Stewart became Mrs.
Jack Dawson, and every evening, when
the hardy miner returns from his daily
labor to his comfortable and happy
home, Totty and Benny will climb
upon his strong knees and almost
smother him with kisses, while they
lovingly address him as "Our Santa
Claus papa" -TWilliamsport Breakfast
Table. ....
Married the Wrong Twin.
Portland Oregonian.
II s--I.l