The Wilmingtonian., 1884-12-20
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1854.
SANTA CLUUS.
lease, sir, be YOU Santa Claus pn

senior member of the firm of Fernald s. Co.,
turned and looked down into the child's
animated face, uplifted with an anxious
inquiry shining through the large, dark eyes,
made larger and seemingly darker by want
and poverty.
"Santa Claus-I-ha, ha, that is a joke"
said Mr. Fernald good-naturedly, viewing
the immense bundle in his arms, from which
protruded dolls foot through an opening
in the paper that enveloped it, and whose
uneven surface bore wonderful resem.
blance to Santa Claus mysterious package.
"Well, my little man, il does look like it,;
but how did you find me out ?''
"Oh, SIR" cried the child, with an ex-
preston of rapt admiration on his small
pinched face. 81 knew you in minute
cause you look just like your picture in the
toy-shop windows. There's the long, white
whiskers, an the white hair, an the fur
cap, an the great overcoat an the bundle
of toys you're a-goin' to give to the rich
children tonight. I've stood on the corner
here ever so long, a-watin' for you to come
along. | knew you'd come down this street
sure, cause the rich children live here"
The child talked rapidly, catching his
breath between the sentences as though
frightened at its boldness in addressing SO
great parsonage as Santa Claus.
"And what did you want to sec me for,
my little man ?" said Mr.. Fernald, taking
both little blue-veined hands in one of HI,
great, warm ones.
II wanted to tell you where we live, sir.
guess you don't know, cause you never
lind us, an Tom-Toms my big brother;
he's most twelve years old, an helps ma
lots. He earns much as fifty cents some
days, an ma don't know how she'd ever get
along 'thout Tom. Well, Tom says that
you don't cale one bit about the poor little
children; that you'd just as lief they starve
on Christmas Day, as on any other day; but
you must 'cuse Tom, sir. He works hard
an gets tired, an theu he's cross. When l
looked at your picture in the toy-shop win
dows, said to myself: ''Bobby Brown.
don't you believe it of Santa Claus. He
does care for all the children, only he don't
know where to find you, that's all. Was l
right, sir?''
Il think you were, my boy. l certainly
do not know where you llve," said Mr.. Fer
nald, in an unsteady voice, for the child's
trusting faith in Santa Claus, who had
never frightened Christmas for him,
touched the rllh- mans heart Us as it lad not
been touched for many month.
'I'll tell you where live. an how many
there is, an everything. cried Bobby,
breathlessly, ''so't you can't stake the
place. My! won't Nellie be glad't you
found us. won't tell Tom that l limited,
cause he'd say it wasn't perlite of me to do
it. But you see, sir, just couldn't let this
Christmas go by 'thout finding you, cause
Nelly-Nelly's little thing, sir, only five
last summer-an' Nelly is talkin' all the
time bout Christmas dolly, an she really
thinks you'll bring her one, an it makes
poor ma cry to have her tell her what she'll
do with her dolly. You won't forget the
doll for Nelly, sir?"
NO" said Mr. Fernald, writing some.
thing in little book. "Step into the store
with me, my boy. 1t will be more comfort
able for you. see your clothes are thin. y
Eyes, sir, they wear out faster'n ma can
mend 'em. Little Paul's only four, sir, an
guess he'd like some candy best of any.
thing, an maybe, if 'tisn't too much, an
orange, too You'll remember little Paul
sir?"
eyes, I've got him down. Now who
else?"
"There's Tom, sir. Tom is such a good
brother an has to be out in the cold all
day. do wish Tom could have some warm
mittens; an his shoes are most gone, but
guess the mittens will do. He'll be awfully
glad to get 'em. Is Toms name downP"
"Yes, Toms name is down" Mr.. FDr-
nald look up, waiting for the child to can.
Time his requests.
That's all, sir, 'ceptin' ma, an ma needs
most everythin', but l guess she needs a
shawl most"
"But you, my little man, is there nothing
you wish for?''
mo, sir, don't need anything. I'll be
SO glad to see the rest, an I'll have nv
secret about meetin' you for my Christmas.
Oh, it will be the jolliest Christmas ever
wasi an won't ma wonder, an won't Tom
be s'prised, an won't Nellie dance about
guess Tom'll change his mind bout you,
pretty quick, SIR"
Bob nodded his head emphatically, and
his eyes twinkled like stars.
"Now tell me where you live, Bobby"
said MIR. Fernald, with warm glow at his
heart.
The child gave the directions very minute
ly. Then Mr.. Fernald sent him home, and
doubt if there was happier child in all
the land than Bobby Brown.
Mr.. Fernald then retraced his steps, visit
ing clothing establishment, shoe store,
toy shop, the confectioner's, the bakers, the
grOcer's, and at each place, after giving his
order, he requested that the things be sent,
the first thing in the morning, to certain
address, and left at Mrs. Browns room with
Santa Claus compliments.
Bobby tossed restlessly in bed that night.
How could he sleep with such a wonderful
secret on his mind? At every sound he
started nervously, and listened attentiyely
until the sound had ceased. Toward morn
ing he fell asleep and was only awakened
by Tom kindling fire in the old stove.
''Has he come yet" cried Bobby, spring
ing out Of bed.
"Who ?" asked Tom.
But Bobby pretended to be too busy about
his wardrOba to heed Toms question. He
felt chagrined that he had so nearly betray-
ed his precious secret.