The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-12-26
which your letter came, but I'll keep
watch and telephone you if she does


which your letter came, but I'll keep
watch and telephone you if she does
come"
When he had gone papa took off his
slippers and put on his boots, exchanged
his dressing gown for his coat, and mad,
preparations for going out.
Where are you going?" asked his
wife.
Its 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
knlck-knacks will, and the rest can be
piled upon the hoor," 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 q five dollar bill
changed into small coin, and this he
placed in his overcoat pockets, where il
was handy; and he gave literally to
every poor child he saw. At one place
ne saw o crowd of poverty stricken
children gazing hungrily into a window
at the dainties temptingly displayed,
and took them oil in and bought gener-
GUS supplies Of cakes, candies aud 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 q happy smile on her face, goes all
over the house, up stairs and down
stairs, as lively as o girl. Nannette has
opened Jim's pretty little room and put
it all in fresh order. Christmas greens
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
m a lively ring, followed by "Hellol
is tina. you. Capt. Camp"
Eyes, is it you, Morton? /"
Eyes, the Sea Bird is at the pier!n
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 rose he called
for m 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 ell
right" he said. tive been on board
and have seen her, and they hurried on
to the ship and in o 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 q
long time!
Papa almost crushed Capt. Brooke
fingers in the grip he gave him. "You
must come home with US" he said.
ooh thank you! but it's impossible.
I have a wife and some little lads who
are expecting me. I've only waited tc
deliver my passenger safely to you;
now I'm off for home"
"Well. you will come and see us!"
"Oh, yes, I 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 in
side the carriage with papa rapidly
rolling toward home. It 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 long! Nannette could not do enough
for her, and all the servants shared the
general feeling Of t~hankfulness anG
JOY.
Kitty, Who had by this time grown
to be quite q 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
and Capt. Cain My captain said rs
too big to say tat"
One of the sailors had taken pains to
teach Polly one English sentence, and
every little while she would laugh heart
lily and then call out: "Wish you Mer-
rey Christmas!"