Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-12-27
SANTA CLAUS.
BY ROSE HARTwICK THORPE,
BOWER.

.flease, Slr, De you santa Claus r
The small voice rang out, shrl and eager.
ON the crisp evening air, and j. P Fernald,
senior member of the firm of Fernald a. Co.,
turned and looked down into the child's ami
mated face, upllfied with an anxious inquiry
shining through the large, dark eyes, made
larger and seemingly darker, by want and pow
erty.
''Santa Claus-I-ha, ha, that is a Joke -
said Mr.. Fernald, good naturally, viewing the
immense bundle in his arms, from which pro-
truded dolls foot through an opening in the
paper that enveloped it, and whose uneven
surface bore wonderful resemblance to Santa
Claus mysterious package.
''Well, my little man, it does look like it,
but how did you find me out?"
sob, sir" cried the child, with an expression
OF rapt admiration on his small pinched face.
II knew you in minute, cause you look lust
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-waitin for you to
come along. l 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 his boldness in addressing SO great person.
age as Santa Claus.
"And what did you want to see me for, my
little man?" said Mr.. Fernald, taking both lit
tie blue-veined hands in one of his great,
warm ones.
81 wanted to tell you where we live, sir. I
guess you don't know, cause you never find
US, an Tom-Tom's my big brother; he 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 dent care one bit
about the poor little children; that you'd lust
as lief they'd starve on Christmas Day, as on
oil, ,lo,y. l,,kr
He works hard an gets tired an then he's
cross. When looked at your picture in the
toy-shop windows, l said to myself: "Bobbv
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?"
II think you were, my boy. certainly do
not know where you live" sad Mr.. Fernald in
an unsteady voice, for the child's trusting faith
in Santa Claus, who had never frightened
Christmas for him, touched the rich mans
heart as it had not been touched for many
month.
''Tll tell you whera live, an how many
there is, an everythny cried Bobby, breath
lessly, 'so't you can't stake the place. My
won't Nellie be glad't you found lis. I won't
tell Tom that limited, cause he id 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
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 do with
her dolly. You won't forget the doll for Nelly,
Sill ?"
NO." said Mr.. Fernald, writing something
i'll little book. Step into the. store with
me- my boy. twill be more comfortable for
you. 1 see your clothes are thin.'
"Yes, sir, they wear out Eastern ma can
mend 'em. Little Paul's only four, sir, an 1
guess he'd like some candy best of anything,
an maybe, if 'tisn't too much. an orange, too
You'll remember little Paul, sir?"
Eyes, Pve;got him down. Now who else ?"
'Theres Tom, sir. Tom is such a good
brother, an has to be out in the cold all day. I
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
EN-. Is Toms name down."
''Yes, Toms name is down." Mr.. Fernald
looked up, waiting for the child to continue
his requests.
''That's all, Sir 'ceptin' ma, an ma needs
most everythin', but guess she needs shawl
most"
But you, my little man, is there nothing
mo, sir, don't need anything. I'll be so
glad to see the rest, an I'll have my secret
about meetin' you for my Christmas Oh, it
will be the jolliest Christmas ever was; an
won't ma wonder, an won't Tom be sprised,
an won Nelly dance ABOUT ! guess IOmll
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
Mr.. Fernald, with a warm glow at his heart
The child gave the directions very infinitely.
Then Mr.. Fernald sent him home, and doubt
if there was happier chlld in all the land than
Bobby Brown,
Mr.. Fernald then retraced his steps, visiting
a clothing establishment, a shoe store a toy
shop, the confectioner's, the bakers, the gro
GERS, 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 ,estlessly in bed that night.
How could he sleep with such wonderful
secret on his mind? At every sound he
started nervously, and listened attentively I'M
til the sound had ceased. Toward morning he
fell asleep and was only awakened by Tom
kindling fire in the old stove.
HAS he come yet" cried Bobby, springing
out of bed.
"Who?" asked Tom.
But Bobby pretended to be too busy about