Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-12-24
It said Santa Claus could not find.

W,
and stared across at her small brothers
bed in the opposite corner.
Why, Max Kendall!
She did, Elsie we have moved. Won
know, and ] suppose he will look for MS
in the old house, and won't know where
we have gone. Dot almost cried
But, Max, if Santa Claus goes there.
, wont the The; people tell him where we are?
Nobody sees him, don't you know
with touch of scorn at Elsie's ignorance
lie Just comes down the chimney when
people are asleep. | wish knew how to
let him know we have moved. He will
never think OF looking in this ugly street.
Elsie gave a puzzled sigh; she could
act she could not plan.
Elsie after a long silence; Elsie we
Will write to him ourselves, and tell him
about it.
But you don't know where he lives said
the practical little woman; all letters d-
rected wrongly get dead, and nobody
reads them Dot said so.
! Well-but-then we will take it to our
old house, Elsie, and then got leave to
put it by the chimney, where he will
see 1t when he comes down with our
| present. Then he can drive right over
here don't you see?
Max was triumphant and Elsie doubted
no more.
Writing was an unknown art to the little
ones, but Max could print, and the inn
portant letter was begun. 1t took much
time, especially as it was to be kept pro-
found secret from the elders.
We will surprise them, said Max glee
fully.
Dot will jump and laugh, but Rite will
smile the incest.
The days went by and Rite clear
eyes had Il troubled shade She knew
definitely now that she was to sing no
more at st. Jude's, and the salary small
as it was, could i'll be spared. 1t was not
now question Of how to provide Christ
mas cheer for the lite ones, but of coal
and Ielicaces for the invalid, OF the
wherewithal to be clothed If she could
only get part advanCe-pay for Lucy Jew
EFT y music quarter, the children should
have something, Rite thought, ii she had
to deny herself food afterwards to make
it up in the family expenses.
So on this errand Of uncertainty
pitiful Christmas errand-Rite joined the
gay, hurrying crowd on the street that
afternoon, never dreaming that Max and
Elsie were n dozen PAGES behind her,
tripping with joyous, childish faith on
their mission, the precious letter to Santa
Claus safe in Max's deepest pocket
This is the house don't you wish we
lived here now: Don't bite your gloves
now, while am asking about putting the
letter by the chimney.
ASH | should, cried Elsie Indignantly,
az Max tugged at the bell.
Alas for the little hearts beating 50 high
with hope and courage. surly servant
opened the door, and not waiting for FL.
sizes gentle voice, said:
Nobody at home gone for the holidays.
Max thrust out a sturdy arm to bar the
closing door, and began:
We used to live here, and please
Nobody at home! and the door went
together with snap.
Two little forlorn faces looked at each
other and then Elsie began to cry. The
disappointment was 50 bitter Max swal
lowed hard to keep down sob, then sud
denly dashed down the steps and grasped
the coat OF gentleman passing.
Please won't you ask him to let us in !
Do you live here? asked the one thus
unceremoniously addressed.
No we used to, and we brought let
ter because we have moved, and now Inc
wont listen; so we shant have any
Christmas.
The gentleman, not unnaturally, looked
perplexed and tritle annoyed; but tn,
Children's distress was evidently great
and he would not leave them without al
effort to alleviate it.
Tell me all about it, he said, and 81
drew from Max the story: how papa was
in heaven, and they had moved to nj
ugly little street, where Dot said Sants
Claus could not find them; so they haC
written him letter. 1t was not merely
that they wanted presents themselves
but they wanted to surprise Dotand Kite
who was 50 good, and worked so hard fo
them all.
Did you expect Santa Claus to mine
your letter? asked the stranger.
Why, yes; Santa Claus loved children
and they had tried to be good. Didn't Inc
know all about that?
Nav see your letter? perhaps | car
help you send it, said the gentleman.
Max hestated, but other resource h.
had not, so he slowly gave up tn
precious paper, and eagerly watched TIN
ewes that scanned the funny, pathetic
, crooked sentences.
DEER SANTA CLAUS. When papa went +
heaven we moved to % Sowth street-cul
: pleas tho it is is not nice like this one-bu
THAR is n chimney and we luv you and b
good-please bring Rite present and TIL
twins, but Rite most particky. Mamma
, sick. MAX AND ELSIE.
If you will trust me, Max and Elsie
said the stranger, and the childre
, thought his voice much more kind thai
, when he first spoke TO them, ii You vii
. trust me, | will be sure that Santa Clau
, has the letter tonight. He will certainl
mind it.
How the.children's faces glowed witt
, the promise; then turning back wit
them, the stranger walked almost to 2
| South u street, encouraging them to pra
| tie OF Rite and the twins, and the happ
Christmas times when papa was wit
his darlings,
, That is Rites church, said Max, Il
/ they passed it, She sings there. Nobod
sings like Rite. Don't you want to hea
/ her sing about the star? She sings it tC
, night, and Elsie and | are going
> hear her.
: DO come, said Elsie, you will like it $
= much.
= The children dashed into the house luI
+ of their secret, sparkling and CLOWN
= with hope, the brighter that it had CON
l 80 near to disappointment; and tn
t stranger went his way, lingering absent
! the little note, and thinking of matter
/ that had not stirred his heart for year
| lie smiled at himself more than ont
3 that afternoon, rs he went from shop,
4 1. II, 4 az, Ia u "A Ia a