National Republican., 1885-12-25
SANTA CLAUS.
by tho Author OF "Cast on" "Thc
Child Of the street." sc.

Child Of the street." sc.
II was Christmas morning, and themerry
Ginning Of bells brought new Joy to the
beautiful city Of b. Mrs. Donaldson,
seated in her handsome parlor, was recall
ing the picture which thirty years OF life
had painted, and although some lines were
q tfine too heavily shaded, the sweet ex-
preston Of her face gave evidence that her
life had been happy one. Little Rose,
child OF six summers, came softly to her
mothers side, and said: "Mamma, please
tell me all about Santa Claus, how he came
down the chimney, and II anybody helps
him down, and, mamma, wonder II he
brought Annie Frazier big doll like he
brought mc.n "I fear Santa Claus forgot
Annie" replied the fond mother as she
looked into the artlcss and beautiful face
Of her child; "like great many with whom
we'havo 10 do every day, he forgets to visit
the homes OF the desolate and passes by to
enter the abodes of comfort aud luxury.n
Rose saw the thoughtful look on her
mothers face, and said impulsvely,
"Mamma, | don't like wicked, bad, Santa
Claus one BIT wish he hadn't brought
me any doll aud lots of nice things. | hate
him, she added, with vehemence; ''lf he
won't love Annie Frazler.n "Why, Rose,
darling, you must not speak so of so good
friend fear my little girl is disposed
to bo ungrateful." "oh, mammal said
the child, won't you please tell him to go
down Mrs. Frazier's chimney and take
Annie somo pretty. toys, for can't love
him II he won't.n Mrs. Donaldson had
made an impression on the mind Of
the child that would not soon be
removed, for the words of the wise
are as wells OF salvation. Do
we ever think how much we are like
wicked, bad Santa Claus,n when we pass
by the forlorn and wretched without one
tender sympathizing expression OF pity,
without giving even the cup. OF cold water
In the NAME Of disciple9 Do we remember
that when the Saviour was on earth he
sought out the broken and crushed children
of humanity and gave them comfortby put
ting His hands upon themY The impulsve
words OF Rose were not lost upon her
mother, who tried in vain TO conceal the
sweet tears of sympathy as she pressed to
her heart the fair little teacher. A servant
| entered announcing visitor, and Mrs. ID.
arose to receive amorning call. Her vlsl-
tor, Mrs. Elliott, was woman Of the world,
and we VIII look upon her face and see how
! far she may be likened 10 the time-honored
| Santa Claus. Her thin, sharp nose is the
very counterpart Of her high narrow
forehead; her lips, when in reposc, are
closely compressed, and her cold gray eyes
are without expression, save that Of ac.
| quisitiveness; her manner is nervous and
restless, but her words are well studied and
carefully expressed. Mrs. Donaldson has
been telling her Of the suffering of Mrs.
Frazier, and in reply she says: ~ am deeply
affected, and did feel II my duty to assist
her would do so at once, but SO far at
dressing meanly and going to church Il
concerned think It quite out of place. NJ
doubt she designs to excite the sympath,
Of those whom she well knows are PLACED
In circumstances so different that II woult
be out Of the question to acknowledge her a
an acquaintance. Indeed, l donot intend Il
involve my reputation by doing so. He
own folly In marrying that inebriate ant
miserable spendthrift, Frazier. has brough
her to her present condition, and who is I,
blame2 ~ "Ah,u sighed Mrs. Donaldson, I
is true, poor Frazier was unfortunate, bu
his history was not without redeeming fea
lures. His kind heart and generous impulse
led him to confide In those who are eve
waiting to deceive, and the result was til
wine cup and ruin. Friends who sough
him in prosperity forsook him in the shadoN
Of adversely, until the only legacy he coul
leave to his devoted wife was his incoheren
utterances of remorse. Poor Julia mus
soon receive assistance, or she will ad
another to the list who have fallen In th
struggle to maintain orphan children. Mr.
Elliott's cold leadcn eyes betrayed som,
thing that might be termed a slight expre
sion Of sympathy as she replied: ~ woul
I be willing to give her something do nj
need IN my own family, articles no doul
which would be useful to her, br
should do so, she might pr
sumo upon an invitation to my house-an
yeti do not know why she should, even
her family was one Of the first in the city {
/ ~ H.. I'D a.. L., 10 a.1
some people are doomed to meet with r
verses, and they should submit GRACEFUL
and cheeffully and not expect to be recoI
nized by those whom fortune sees prop,
to favor. 'You know, Mrs. Donaldson
they that SOW the wind must reap III
whirlwind.n Mrs. Donhldson's eyes nashe
Indignantly. She almost lost all self-coi
troll, but, with the dignity of true lad
she said VI never saw more patience
trial, more gentle forbearance. Byapow'
that is divine, poor Julia Frazier is 'lifte
above her Affections, and hopefully lool
forward to time when the clouds mi
disappear from her cheerless home. O
1t is heartrending to think OF Il
beautiful and accomplished Jul
, Carlton, now lonely widow, destitute
, the real necessaries of life, Her maria!
! was, believe, her only act OF disobedienc
and even In that she was not to blame, f
3 who won her heart, but the highly giftt
and elegant gentleman who, when he W
y admitted to the bar, was complimented
the Judge for his marked attainments.
assure you, Mrs. Elliott, that II you cou
see the holy expression In her eyes as 81
bends over the couch Of her sick child "
d would forget how far she is removed fro
% you by circumstances, and would only l
member the lovely and almost worship
companion of our glrlhood days" Nj
Donaldson, all unconscious to herself, W
10 holding up before the woman Of the W woi
a mirror into which she had never glanc
before, and after brief silence she arose a
biddinga polite s'good morning. conclud
her visit. "My dear, at what hour "
your little party be ready? / have an c
gagement for the afternoon, and should Ii
\ Mr.. Donaldson, who had entered soon aft
= the departure OF the visitor. Mrs.
looked at her watch, and replied: ~
expecting our friends every moment, n
when they arrive we will start for G
.. drive.n ...t . =.
ID In an out-of-the-why part OF the city, Il
t low-ceiled. and badly-ventilated room,
Is mother was kneeling by the couch Of
" dying child. The fire had burned low, a
TO few wooden chairs, worn and faded C
SSe pet, chest of drawers, and n table co
" prised the furniture Of the apartme
~ NMother," said low, sweet voice, "N
~ little brother dief o wish Santa ClG
W would send the pretty lady to bring WI
10 some more nice oranges and vine and t
nr doctor; little Willie wouldn't die tn,
ed would he mothers Oh, how / wish we h
q y nice warm home; Willie's hands wouidr
n be so cold then" "Hush, darllng,n int
rupted Mrs. Frazier, "God will take CT
- of us, and II he takes little brother aw
" from us II win be to dwell with the ang
al in the beautiful world above 1t will !
he cold and lonely there, but all will
SSee bright and happy and Willie won't die o
" more,n Out In the streets happy vol
blended with the Ginning of Christn
Il bells; evergreen trees We're tossed w
III snow and long pendants Of icicles glitter
hrn.,,,, La, n hnnlanrnn annn lrnun III hnf