The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-12-23
fur tbs CHILDREN.
Written for the Vermont Waterman.
Christmas at Widow Hale's.
ny LOUISE.

ny LOUISE.
"You must save out the two biggest
ones for us to hang up" said little
Jimmy Hale, as he was standing in
front of Bridget while she was mend
ing stockings.
"What for do we want to be hangin'
up yer stockings?" asked Bridget.
"For Santa Claus to fill, just running
ouer fitll," answered Jimmy.
"Why, Bridget! have you been an
fordot it's Kismas" lisped four-years-
old Prue, in great surprise.
"Indade it's not mesilf that's for
gittin', but we mustn't be expectin'
ould Sanity will be a rememberin' of we
iuery year. Can she now, Jimmy?"
"We didn't have very much last
year-not near as much as Fred and
Willie Bray had" said Jimmy.
Well, thin, 'tisn't loikly yell git
Anything now, wild yer marmy sick in
bed an not a clint o. money in the
house," argued Bridget, whose ideas of
Santa Claus didn't quite agree with
Jimmy's.
WOhuCl why SANTA Slduo IiOou
always leaves presents to boys and girls
whose mammas have money, and could
buy 'em things" unused Jimmy.
IF l was Sanity Klaus I'd dess dive
poor boys and dirls lots an lots o.
fings," piped up Prue.
Fred Bray says he knoCs Santa Claus
is coming to has house, and we live so
near don't believe he'll skip us, any
how" said Jimmy.
"They lives in a foine hoouse wild a
big chimbly atop, and ould Santa could
slide down aisy but our chimbly is so
shmall he couldn't git down wild his
pack at all" said Bridget.
This was such discouraging view of
the matter neither of the children spoke
for several minutes. Then Jimmy eX-
claimed: ooh, say! See here, now!
We can hang our stockings on the door
handle, and then Santa Claus can't help
seeing them"
AM the fings he tant put in our
stockings he tan leave on the doorstep"
added Prue, with immense satisfaction.
Loik as not the ould haythen won't
be afther seein 'em," replied Bridget.
This proved such a disheartening
speech to both the children Bridget
hadn't the heart to say another word
against it.
" l can put swate apple in the toe of
en-" she said to herself, while to the
children she said: "Afther all, think
he'll see 'em; these big red stockings
the ould Teller can't help seein'. Joost
hang 'em outside the dure. Wait till ]
sew the stockins together this way-see
nOw-an' thin we can room out an twisht
it aroond the dure-handle so; an thin
we must come in an go to bed, else yer
marmy will be shpakin' to me about yel
settin' up so late"
n
What in the world do you suppose
the widow Hale's children are up to-
said Captain Bray to his wife, as he
came in from the pOst-office that night.
Why?" asked his wife.
Gas l came by, both the children
were on the doorstep. Jimmy seemed
to be tying something red to the door
handle, while little Prue was holding
the light. l heard Prue say: finl
he tant help SEEM dese'-aud gust o.
wind carried away the rest of the sen
tence."
"The little midgets are hanging thei
stockings up out there, I'll bet ;
guinea" said Mrs. Bray.
/ shouldllike to know who will act tn,
part of Santa Claus" said the captain.
Dear me! l don't know; unles
you do" laughed his wife.
d" Mep'
ayes, you; supposing you go on
and buy them something-no, wait
I'll go with you. The children ar
asleep, and if they waken Ann will tax
care of them"
In very short time the captain an
his wife might have been seen o.
Widow Hale's doorstep. They to,m
an apple in each stocking, but whe
they left both stockings were g full an
running OVER" and, besides, Their
were large packages for Mrs. Hale an
Bridget on the doorstep.
GA Merry Christmas to you all" sal
the captain, bowling toward the hous
as he turned to go away.
And to think how near they cam
to having nothing but an apple, and
frozen one at that" said Mrs. Bray
with SILVER. g am ashamed of my
self because we never thought of thei
before"