The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-11-12
SOMETHING ron BABIES.
Al Ineident Thar sd=zcssed \ Poau.
Tar Comedians Newest s,n-.

'-You want 10 know how I came 10
write that song. ehS'' said w. J. Scan
lan 20 reporter OF Tae Free Press who
had received hsnt Of some pretty in
eident in that connection. 'Tn tell
you:
Last Christmas week was PLAYING
an engagement at Havcriy's Theater,
Brooklyn. On Christmas day there
was heavy snow storm and the thea
ters we're comparatively deserted
While on my way to the hotel after the
matinee my attention Was attracted by
a little girl about s years Of age, who
was leaning against city lamp-post,
| sobbing as II her heart would break
just at that moment the lamphghter
| lighted the lamp and passed on.
The child did not even notice him.
The picture viii ever linger In my
mind-that slight, childish9 figure.
scantily clad, with the snow falling on
il, and reflected By the dim light, on
that cherries Christmas day.
Il approached and asked: What are
/ you crying abont?
"She answered between her sobs.
Pm crying because Santa Claus didn't
-didn't--come TO our house last
night
Il understood it all-poverty and no
Santa Claus
"Well. don't cry. little one. He may
come. The day is not over yet
''What an expression of joy lit up her
face as she quickly replied, 'Oh, sirl
do you think he will?'
q 4 am sure Of it-where do you
liveP
Just around the corner, sir
Il took her hand and said, Come; ]
will 20 with you.
'On our way asked. Have you any
sisters or brothers?'
"'Ycs. sirl I've got little sister
Annie, she's only 4, and Tony, he's 2.
and the baby. Annie and me hung uu
our stockings last night, but Santa
Claus didn't GOMEZ Aud bursting into
tears she added: Oh. sir! Wasn't he
mean?'
There. don't cry, my child.
know Santa Claus and I'll tell him tc
bring you something nice tonight
''She stopped and said: 'This is
where live, sir She led me through
an alleyway to rear tenement house,
up three flights of stairs, opened tbs
door and followed her into the room.
'lhere was the pale-faced mother
with her child in her arms.
81 explained to her privately what
had happened and what I wanted tC
do. During our conversation she told
me that her husband was 4 coal-heaveI
on one of the ocean steamers, and tha
she expected him home in a few days
| gathered the little ones around me
and seated with the baby on my knee
| told them to 90 and hang up theil
stockings and / would see Santa Claui
and tell him TO fill them. In an instan
of went shoes and stockings, and th,
children darted into the other room tC
hang them up.
''As soon rs they were out of hear
ing | said 10 the woman: Leave tn,
other door open and keep the children
in this room until return
''She answered: 4 will Heaven bles
you, sir--I Wilt
81 went to . toy store near by, fillet
a basket with toys, candies and pop
corn. l then stopped at corner gro
Gerry and filed another basket with pro
visions aud the largest turkey l coul,
find. Then loaded down | returned t,
the coa!-heayer's home. l slipped int
the front room, flied the stockings
placed the basket on the floor, an,
passing through the hall knocked q
the door of the room where had lef
the mother and children.
"As soon as / entered the little one
crowded around me.
Did sou tell Santa ClaIsa'
" Yes, go and look at your stock
iugs. He must have been here by thi
time
"OG they scampered, the mother fol
lowing with the baby.
: 'Such q merry shout of laughte
, greeted my ears; even the 'bab
/ screamed with delight In they came
tho children with stockings in hand an
mouths full of candy and popcorn an
the woman with the turkey on one arr
D and the baby on the other. The poe
mother, with tears in her eyes, sal,
You're 50 good. sir. What's yoJ
name, sir?'
NV "Peek-a-B Boo.
That's funny mama, sir-write
down, please, so can tell my husban
when he comes back.
81 did so.
> What shall l tell Santa Clau
, children?'
! "And the child l met on the stree
: answered: Tell him he's awful goo
Z sir. and you're awful good. too. sirI b
cause you made him come. There,
knew he would bring something for Il
babies
4 "a happy thought struck me-som
thing for the babies-a good title for
: new song. looked at my watch.
was after o'clock. / bade the moth
and little ones goodbye aad hurried
4 my hotel. 1t was nearing theater tim
= had only half an hour to eat my di
ner, but enjoyed my Christmas tn
| q