The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-12-19

infinitely. Then Mr.. Fernald sent him
home, and doubt If there was happier
child in the land than Bobby Brown.
Mr.. Fsrnald then retraced his steps
visiting clothing establishments. shoe
makers. the grocers. and at each place,
after giving his orler. he reqaeste that
the things be sent the first thing in the
morning, to u certain address, with the
compliments Of Santa Claus.
Bobby tossed restly in bed that night.
How could he sleep with such "onder-
full secret on his minde At every soand
he started nervously, and listened atten-
lively until the sound ceased. soward
morning he fell asleep and was only
awakened by Tom kindiing a FIRE in The
old stove.
Has he come yeti" cried Bobby as
he sprang out Of bed
Who3n asked Tom.
But Bobby pretended to be too busy
about his wardrobe 70 heed Toms cues
ton. He fel. chagrined that he had so
nearly betrayed his precious secret.
Mrs Brown, with weary sigh, pat the
last potato in the oven, and wondered
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 a knock at the
door.
'It's him. cried Bobby, springing for
ward to open it.
Heres basket for the widow Brown
which Santa Claus sent from the grocery,
with his compliments" said the man
thrusting large basket in al the door
and disappearing before question could
be asked.
Before the contenis were half taken
cat. another basket vas 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 shoe:
for the children all around, was thrust in
and before the door could be closed, more
I bundles followed
! By this time the little ones were caper
ing about the room in the widest delight
Tom stood with the stove handle in ons
hand, and an expression of blank amaze
ment on bis face, perfect statue Of sur
I prise Mrs Brown had sank into a chail
and with clasped hands and fearful eyes
was viewing the presents. which seemed
TO be literally showered down upon them
/ and which meant so much Of c, mfort anc
happiness to her little family. Bobby
was the only one who did no, seem at al
/ surprised at the generous display. No
did he cease to regard the door with snx
iety until the doll and the candy. togethe
with other surprises and toys not men
toned by him in his conversation witt
Santa Claus. had made their appearance
where did they all come from p gasp
ed SIrs. Brown, in great perplexity
There must be some mistake"
( "No, there sin'tl7 cried Bobby, enthu
siastically. santa Claus sent en-
~But there isn't such a person, Bob
by
"Yes, there is. l saw him last night,
said Bobby, trying jack knife, which
had his name on card. attached to tn,
/ handle. There is good stuff in it, ht
aided. sending long shaving off from 4
! pine stick. Il told him where we Iived
an be said he'd try to find Us this Christ
mas
@who could it have been?4 murmuret
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 blessed, and how much
more that gift was priced than the on'
which now sparkled on the hand Of hei
who had never had wish ungratified.
1T pays to be Santa Claus" he solilO
/ quized. at pays in here laying hi
hand over the place where warm hear
throbbed beneath, and believe II
make general Santa Claus Of myself
next year, for the benefit of poor littl,
children whom the usual Santa Clan:
fails to find