The Wilmingtonian., 1884-12-20

was to come from. Her faith in Gods care
was sorely tried at times. Poor woman, her
burdens were heavy to bear.
Suddenly there came knock at the door.
"It's him." cried Bobby, springng for
ward to open it.
Here's basket for the widow Brown,
which Santa Claus sent from the grocery
with his compliments" said the man,
thrusting large basket in at the door, and
disappearing before question could be
asked.
Before the contents were half taken out,
another basket was thrust in.
"From the bakery, with Santa Claus
compliments" said the man, briskly, slam
ming the door behind him.
Such basket Of good things as that one
wasl The children stood about it in wide
eyed wonder, until little Paul broke the
spell, by snatching a handful of brown
ginger-cookies.
'Santa Claus compliments" announced
a voice at the door, and large bundle,
which proved to be good, stout shoes foI
the children all around, was thrust in, and
before the door could be closed, more bun
dies followed.
By this time the little ones were capering
about the room in the widest delight. Tom
stood with the stove-handle in one hand and
an expression of blank amazement on his
face, a perfect statue of surprise. Mrs.
Brown had sank into a chair, and with
clasped hands and fearful eyes, was viewing
the presents which seemed literally to
shower down upon them, and which meant
| so much of comfort and happiness to hei
| little family. Bobby was the only one who
| did not seem to be at all surprised at tb,
! generous display, Nor did he cease to re
gard the door with anxiety until the doll auC
the candy, together with other surprise,
and toys not mentioned by him in his con
versation with Santa Claus, had made thei
ppearance.
"Where did they all come from P'' gaspeC
Mrs. Brown, in perplexity. 'Therc mus
be some mistake"
'N0, there ain'tr cried Bobby, enthu
siastically; 'Santa Claus sent EN-"
But there isn't such person, Bobby.
yes, there is. saw him last night,
said Bobby, trying a jack-knife which hat
his name on card attached to the handle
''rhere's good stuff i'll it" he added, send
ng long shaving off from piece of pin
stick. 81 told him where we lived, an h
aid he'd try to find us this year"
"WhO could it have beenP" murmure,
Mrs. Brown.
''Santa Claus, of couse, - said Bobby, EN-
rhatically "He's a jolly old man-look
just like his picture, too"
And Mr.. Fernald, 40 he placed diamont
ring on the finger of his granddaughter
thought of the humble home his bounty hac
blest, and how much more that gift wa
priced than the one which now sparkled OF
the hand of her who had never had wisl
unsatisfed.
sit pays to be Santa Claus" he solilo
quzed. SIT pays in here" laying his hant
over the place where warm heart throbbeC
beneath, sand believe I'll make a genera
Santa Claus of myself next year, for tn,
benefit of poor little children whom TIN
usual Santa Claus fails to find"
(By the way of pointing the moral to tn,
above beautiful story, let each one, Of th
readers of THE WILMINeroNIAN. select a
least, one family whicb~ifas been born,
down by sorrow and,siverse fortune and Oh
christmas carry to that affected fam
ily greetingsof joy, messages of comfor
and tokens of substantial encouragement
The heart aches to think of the numbers o
little ones, in our midst, to whom Christina
will be as sealed book because of the dul
times, and to-day we saw generous mothe
force back her unbidden tears as she hear,
her rrattling children talk of what 5000,
Old Chris" would bring them, because sh
too well knew that a father with tw,
months enforced idleness meant a forlorl
Christmas. ED.)