River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-31

away in her berth. sobbed herself to
sleep. overcome with disappointment
and inconsistencies.
See. isn't that pathetic!' 1t was
Mrs. Farnsworth who spoke, pointing
to a little red stocking pinned to the
had hung there in the faint hope that
the snow-birds might tell st. Nicholas
of her whereabouts.
Cant we fill it with something's"
asked Mr.. Grundy. I'll drop bright
silyer-dollar in the toe. And he suit
ed the action to the word.
They gave me some rosy apples
and few nuts over at yonder farm
house to-day" said Fred Howell, and
they ratified in after the silver
The conductor, who was Yankee,
and handy with the knife, carved
some funny little animals out OF wood,
and Young lady contributed pretty
/ blue hair-ribbon, while, to crown all,
Mrs. Farnsworth made her way to the
baggage car, and managed to open
her trunk, and bring out beautiful
i wax-doll that she was carrying to her
/ own niece II can buy Ellie another,
/ in New York" she said, and fastened
the doll TO the top of the stocking.
Christmas dawned in a flood of
sunshine, and the occupants of the
second sleeper on the eastward bound
train were awakened at an early hour
by glad shouts from section Z, where
Nugget was sitting up in bed, in-
vestigating the treasures hidden in her
Santa Claus stocking, and Merry
Christmasi" resounded from behind
the curtains on all sides.
lie came; the good Santa Claus
came, after ALL" cried Nugget, in
widest glee: land | am sure, the
snow birds sent him and good news
the conductor told them that the track
had been cleared and that they would
be off in ten minutes.
So this railroad Christmas was not
so bad, after all; for the travellers
gathered together in the pine-decked
parlor car, where merry games ana
sweet carols made the hours fly.
Nugget was the gayest of the gay, the
blue snood binding her soft yellow
hair; and, hugging her first real doll
closely in her arms, never realized
that she was an express package,
until Hollywell was reached Just
after dark. More sad good-byes
had then to be said, and she was
turned over to the tender care
of an expressman, with a covered
wagon and pair of prancing horses
The cosy parlor behind Miss Han
ford's shop was vision of comfort and
homely cheer on that Christmas night,
with the crimson curtains drawn. and
a glorious fire cracking merriiy on the
hearth. And the well-washed faces of
the four little Bats reflected all the
brightness as they gathered around the
simple Christmas tree twinklipg with
tiny lights, and made their mouths in
to round O's, with delight Miss Han
ford hustled about like mo:herly old
hen, passing doughnuts, filing mugs of
sweet cider. and distributing the little
gifts of which she had robbed the store,
to gladden. the occasion.
How the tongues ran! How Tommy
Bait beat his big drum, and Matt tOOt-
ed his tin trumpet! How Hetty hid be-
hind the sofa, to read her new fairy
book, and how Patsy carresscd a COW
eted doll with rosy checks, wild with
delight! while Christmas cheer and
charity reigned over all.
at is a shame!" exclaimed Matt, as
he set down his mug, drained of the
last drop; "every one has a present,
except Miss Hanford; it isn't fair!'
1T is enough for me to see you hap
DIV at my little party" their hostess
opened her mouth to say, when she
was interrupted by tremendous
knocking at the front door, and bur
ried off in furry, to open it.
There stood very large man and a
very small girl, looking like the big
bear and the little bear of the old fairy
story. wrapped in their fur coats.
Here, Miss Hanford, I've brought
you Jolly Christmas-box this time and
no mistake" said the big bear; sex
press charges all paid. "
BLESS US, and save us!' cried Miss
Hanford, feeling for her spectacles; but
the man had disappeared and the little
bear was clinging to her skirts and
stammering out, You're Aunt Han
nah, know, and please, I'm Nugget,
from Gold Ore Camp. Pop says, I'm
to live with you, and go to school; and
here is a paper to :ell you all about it.
Three minutes later, Miss Hanford
was reading letter from her long-lost
brother Cy., in which he begged her to
care for his motherless girl, crying and
laughing over Nugget, while she
warmed the child s hands at the fire,
and feeling that she was no longer all
alone in the world.
"Now | know why wanted so to
make Christmas tree" she thought,
as the graceful little figure danced
round the evergreen, eXclaiming with
delight, 1T is ever so much prettier
than the trees in Redskin Canon, and
must have grown in Heaven, am
sure" while the quartet of Bats sat by
in surprised silence.
And then the quaint little child drew
from beneath her scarlet gown an old
blue wooden sock that was fastened
about her waist. 1t was filled with
rich gold dust and ore, gift from ICY.
Hanford to his dear sister Hannah.
So Miss Hanford had her Christmas
present after all, and said it would
more than make up for all she had lost
by the new store. while visions of
plate-glass window in her own little
shop, danced through her head.
1t was a perfect evening to all except
Tom Tucker, who considered his nose
out OF joint, and sang in vain for his
supper, until Hettic took compassion
on him and gave him half doughnut.
Nugget said. she was $50 glad she
had come in time for little bit of
Christmas, and the lovely tree, and
when at midnight Miss Hanford bent
over the golden head, nestled in the
center of her big feather pillow, she
was sure no one in Hollywell had so
sweet Christmas-box as her precious
little Nugget from Gold Ore Camp.
Geysers of the Yellowstone.
The Geysers at the headwaters of the