The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-26
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i C4Vt00h 9xO INN. IL rs yfs,3.
Yes, cir, they wear out EASTERN ma
can mend 'em. Little Paul's only four,
cir. an I guess he'd like some candy
best Of anything, an maybe, il It's MT
too much, an orange, too. You'll re-
member little Paul, sir2"
*Yes. yes, I've got him down. Now,
who else2v
~There's Tom, sir. Tom is such o
good brother, an he has to be out in
the cold all day. do wish Tom coald
have some warm mittens: an his shoes
are most gone, but guess the mittens
will do. He'll DO awfully glad to get
'em. Is Toms name DOWN."
"Yes, Toms name is down." Mr..
Fernald looked mp, waiting for tho
child to continue his requests.
"That's all, sir, 'ceptin' ma, an mo
needs most everythin,, but I guess shc
needs shawl most"
"But you, my little man. is there
nothing you wish for?"
*No, sir, I don't need anything. I'll
be so glad to see the rest, and I'll have
my secret bout meetin' you for my
Christmas. oh, it'll be the jolliest
Christmas ever was; an won't ma won
der, an won't Tom he s'prised, an won't
Nelly dance about! I guess Tom II
change his mind bout you, pretty
quick, SIR"
Bobby nodded his head emphatically,
and his eyes twinkled like stars.
snow tell me where you live,
Bobby" said Mr.. Fernald with q
warm glow at his heart.
The child gave the directions very
infinitely. Then Mr.. Fernald sent him
home, and doubt if there was hap
pier child in all the land than Bobby
Brown.
Mr.. Fernald then retraced his steps,
visiting clothing establishment,
shoestore, toy-shop, the confection-
er's, the bakers, the grocer's, and at
each place, after giving his order, he
requested that the things he sent, the
fret thing in the morning, to certain
address, and left at Mrs. Browns room
with Santa Claus compliments.
Bobby tossed restlessly in his bed
that night. How could he sleep with
such o wonderful secret on his mind?
At every sound he started nervously,
and listened attentively until the sound
had ceased, Toward morning he fell
asleep, and was only awaked by Tom
kindling fire in the old stove.
"Has he come yct?" cried Bobby,
springing out of bed.
"Who?" asked Tom.
But Bobby pretended to be too busy
pabout his wardrobe to heed Toms ques-
ton. He felt chagrined that he had SO
nearly betrayed his precious secret.
Mrs. Brown, with Il weary sigh, put
the last potato in the oven, and Won
dered where the dinner. for those hun
CRY little mouths, was to come from.
Her faith in Gods care was sorcly tired
at times. Poor woman, her burdens
were heavy to bear.
Suddenly there came IL knock at tho
door,
"It's him." cried Bobby, springing
forward to open it.
"Here's basket for the Widow
Brown, which Santa Claus sent from
the grocery, with lis compliments"
said the man, thrusting large basket
in at the door, and disappearing before
O question could be asked.
Before the contents were half taken
out, another rap came at the door, and
another basket was thrust in.
From the bakery, with Santa Claus
compliments, said the man, briskly,
slamming the door behind him.
Such basket full OF gooo things as
that ono was! The children stood
about it i'll wide-eyed wonder, until
little Paul broke the spell by snatcl.ing
a handful of brown ginger-cookies.
"Santa Claus compliments. an
nounced voice at the door, and u
large bundle, which proved to be good
stout shoes for the children all around,
was thrust in, and before the door
could be closed, more bundles followed.
By this time the little ones were
capering about the room in the wllurss
delight. Tom stood with the stove
handle in one hlnd, and an expression
of blank amazcment Oh his face, per-
feet statue of surprise. Mrs. Brown
had sank into chair, and with claspcd
hands and fearful eyes, was viewing
the presents which seemed literally to-
shower down upon them, and which
meant so much OF comfort and happi,
ness to her little family. Bobby was
the only one who did not seem to he at
all surprised at the generous display.
Nor did he cease to regard the door
with anxiety until the doll and tho
candy, together with other surprises
and toys not mentioned by him in his
conversation with Santa Claus, had
made their appearance.
where did they all come from
gasped Mrs. Brown, in perplexity
"There must be some mistake"
"No, there ANTI cried Bobby,
enthusiastically; Santa Claus sent
'em."
bat there isn't such person, Bob.
by"
ayes, there is. 1 saw him last night,
said Bobby, trying lack-knife which,
had his name on u card attached to the
handle. "TIiere's good stuff in it, 70
added, sending a long shaving off from
u piece of pine stick. Il told him where
we lived, an lie said he'd try to find us
this year."