The daily Cairo bulletin., 1884-11-08
SOMETHING FOR BABIES.
An Incident That Suggested a Popu-
lar Comedians Newest Song.

% "You want to know how | came tc
% write that song, ehp" said w. J. Scan.
v Ian TO reporter of The Free Press who
had received u hint of some pretty in.
70 cident in that connection. I'm tell
u YOU:
Last Christmas week | was playino
: an engagement ut lIavorly's TheGter,
Brooklyn. On Christmas day there
0 was heavy snow storm and the thea
lerS were comparatively deserted.
While on my way to the hotel after the
matinee my attention was attracted by
a little girl about 6 years of are, who
was leaning againsta city lamp-post,
sobbing rs if her heart would break
just at that moment the lamplighter
lighted the lamp and passed on.
"Ihe child did not even notice him.
The picture will ever linger in my
mind-that slight, childish figure,
scantily clad, with the snow falling on
it, and reflected by tho dim light, on
that cherries Christmas day.
81 approached and asked: What are
you crying aboutP
"She answered between her sobs.
I'm crying because Santa Claus didn't
-didn como 10 our house last
night
II understood it all--poverty and no
Santa Claus.
Wei, don't cry, little one. He NAV
come. The day is not over yet
"What an expression of joy lit up her
face as she quickly replied, 'Oh, sir!
do you think he will?'
"'I am sure of it--where do YOU
livc?
Just around the corner, sir
a took her hand and said, Come;
will 90 with you.
"On our way asked, Have YOU any
sisters or brothers?
"Yes, sir! I've got little sister
Annie, she's only 4, and Tony, he's 2,
and the baby. Annie and me hung up
| our stockings last night, but Santa
Claus didn't GOMEZ And bursting into
tears she added; 'Oh, sir Wasn't he
mcan?
There, don't cry, my child. !
know Santa Claus and I'll tell him to
bring you something nice tonight
"Sae stopped and said: This is
where live, sir She led me through
an aIIeyway to a rear tenement house,
up three flights Of stairs, opened the
door and followed her into the room.
There was the pale-taced mother
with her child in her arms.
a explained 10 her privately what
had happened and what ! wanted TO
do. During our conversation she told
me that her husband was coal-heayer
on one OF the ocean steamers, and that
she expected him home in few days.
! gathered the little ones around me,
and seatel with the baby on my knee
| told them to 90 and hang up their |
stockings and would see Santa Claus |
and tell him to ill them. In an instant |
of went shoes and stockings, and the |
children darted into the other room 10 |
hang them up.
"As soon As they were out of hear
ing | said 10 the woman: Leave the
other door open and keep the children
in this room until return
"She answered: 4 will. Heaven bless
you, sr--I willN
81 went to Il toy store near by, filed |
basket with toys, cauiies and pop
corn. then stopped at q corner gro-
Gerry and filled another basket with pro-
visions ana the largest turkey could
find. Then loaded down retufhed 10
the coal.heayer's home. slipped into
the front room, filed the stockings,
placed the basket on the floor, and
passing through the hail knocked Mt
the door of the room where had lett
the mother and children.
"As soon as entered the little ones
crowded around me.
Did YOU tell Santa Clals?'
Yes 20 and look at your stock
ings, He must have been here by this
time
ION they scampcrcd, the mother fol-
lowing with the baby,
"Such merry shout of laughter
greeted my ears; even the baby
screamed with delight In they came,
the children with stockings in hand and
mouths full Of candy and popcorn and
the woman with the turkey on one arm
and the baby on the other The poor
mother, with tears in her eyes, said:
You're so good, sir, Whats your
name sir?'
My name-"Peek-a-Boo. ~
That's funny name, sir-write it
down, please, so can tell my husband
when he comes back.
81 did 50.
What shall tell Santa Claus,
children?'
"And the child met on the street
answered; Tell him he's awful rood,
sir, and you're awful good, too sir! DO.
cause you made him come There, |
knew he would bring something for the
babies.
"a happy thought struck mo-some-
thing for the babies--a good title for n
new song looked NJ my watch. 1t
was after 6 O'Clock. badc the mother
and little ones goodbye and hurried to
my hotel, IT was nearing thcater time.
| had only half an hour to eat nv din.
ner' but enjoyed my Christmas tur-
key" wa
a Philosopher Stumprd.
l..