The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-12-19
child in all the land than Bobby Brown.

Mr.. Fernald then retraced his steps,
visiting clothing establishment, shoe
store, toy shop, the confectioner's,
the bakers, the grocer's, and at each
place, after giving his order, he request
ed 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 restlessly in bed that
night. How could he sleep with such
wonderful secret on his mind? AT
every sound he started nervously, and
listened attentively until the sound had
ceased. Toward morning he fell asleep
and was only awakened by Tom kim
ding fire in the old stove.
'Has he come yet2' cried Bobby,
sp1inging out of bed.
'Who?' asked Tom.
But Bobby pretended to be too busy
about his wardrobe to heed Toms ques-
tion. He felt chagrined that he had so
anearly betrayed his precious secret.
Mrs. Brown, with weary sigh, put
the last potato in the oven, and won-
dered where the dinner, for those little
hungry mouths, 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.
1T is him. cried Bobby, springing
forward to open it.
Here is a basket for the widow
Brown, which Santa Claus sent from
the grocery, with his compliments,
said the man, thrusting a 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,
slamming the door behind him.
Such basket of good things as that
one was! The children stood about it
in wide-eyed wonder, until little Paul
broke the spell, by snatching handful
of brown ginger-cookies.
Santa Claus compliments, announc-
ed voice at the door, and large bun
die which proved to be good, stout
shoes for the children all around, was
thrust in, and before the door could be
closed, more bundles followed.
By this time the little ones were ca
pering 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, per-
feet 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 her
little family. Bobby was the only one
who did not seem to be at all surprised
at the generous display. Nor did he
cease to regard the door with anxiety
until the doll and the candy, together
with other surprises and toys not men
toned by him in his conversation with
Santa Claus, had made their appearance.
'Where did they all come from2'
gasped Mrs. Brown, in perplexity,
There must be some mistake.
NO, there ain't!' cried Bobby, en-
Enthusiastically, Santa Claus sent en-
'But there isn't such person, Bobby
sYes, there is. I saw him last night,
said Bobby, trying jack knife which
had his name on card attached to the
handle. There is good stuff in it, he
added, sending a long shaving off from
piece of pine stick. 4 told him where
we lived, an he said he'd try to find us
this year.
'Who could it have. been?' murmured
Mrs. Brown.
Santa Claus, of course, said Bobby,
emphatically. HE is jolly old man
looks just like his picture, too
And Mr.. Fernald, as he placed dia-
mond ring on the finger of his grand
daughter, thought of the humble home
his bounty had blest, and how much
more that gift was priced than the one
which now sparkled on the hand of her
who had never had wish unsatisfied.
1T pays to be Santa Claus he soli-
loquized. 1T pays in here, laying his
hand over the place where a warm heart
throbbed beneath, 'and believe I'll
make general Santa Claus of myself
next year, for the benefit of poor little
children whom the usual Santa Claus
fails to fnd.'