The National tribune., 1888-12-20
SANTA CLAUS.
His Visit TO Dead Soldiers Children.
BY MRS. N. an

y
an Christmas fore last be brought US lots Of
things: but you can't member that" said
Harry. with an air OF superiority, for be was
past six, and bis little sister Madge was only
four.
Bat why did he stay away last Christmas
do member how you cried when you dldn /
find muffin IN your stocking"
Il don't zactly know Udg he staid away,
was the thoughtful reply. +" / guess he didn't
know where we moved after papa died. once
We lived in a real nice house, an had a carpet
-0n the floor, an big fires. Mamma didn't sew
for other folks then
"Oh do hope be win find US this Christ
mas; ] want him to come so very much,
pleaded Madge.
Mebbe be win; what do You want him to
bring you?
Something good TO eats answered the
child, hungriy smac6ing her lips.
NV poor babiesi" sighed the mother.
Then rising, she sprinklcd half the remaining
coal upon the embers.
Mamma, can we 90 an look in at the shop
windows lust a little whle?' asked Harry.
+" We won't 90 far; an they are 50 pretty"
Yes" replied the fond mother, and with
her consent came the sad memory OF happy
Joys at the Christmas-tide only two short years
ago Then aloud she added, Harry, bring
my shawl"
This was the one comfortable garment left
from former days, and she wrapped 1t about the
baby girl. pinning it up at the shoulders TO
keep il from dragging. Madge started OIL
quite comfortable, though the little shoes and
stockings were thin and old.
Harry was less fOrtunatc-his jacket, rusty
snd thin. was no protection; but he was a
sturdy little fellow, aud declared that he did
not mind the cold
After pressing her lips tenderly on each lit
tie brow tie soldiers widow turned into the
Iac1fa-a She sat h0Tfr
like one in q dream. Poor Edward He'd often
say Vow, Jennie. SO long rs we have somcthln'
coming IN from the store we're comfortable, an
don't need to bother about that ere pension
ought to have. Ny hips pretty bad, and what
with nv lameEess an the assesses, / N rather
ssaky, I know, but after while, Jennie, when
I'm not ft for work we'il ask Uncle sam Tor a
mite, seeing as ] stopped q ball in his defense.
Mebbe he'll give us the pension, and mebbe lie
won't: they're mighty uncertain and 1t takes
sight Of proof an evidence TO convince the
folks in Washington"
"Oh Edward Edward Your wife and
children would not be starving today if we
had the pensiOn-money: and ! have not got
your papers, Oh! II your friend who SAN yOu
taken of the field by tie Christian Commits
sion, and who loved you SO, would ever come
back to America, i might be able 10 gel a
little pensiOn-mOHey. Ny letters don't seem
10 get 10 him And on Christmas Day my ba-
bies must 90 without something good to eat;
his all they ask from old Santa Claus. Oh
my 6ariings, If mother could be strong and
well again, all would lie different SO her
brain kept mp whirl Of anxious thought and
retrospect during that hour Of solitude.
The children fingered at the various win
doWs looking with longing eyes at the beauti-
ful display. Particularly fascinating was z
bakery window, with its display Of good things
and the delicious odoFs issuing from the great
ovens made them more and more hungry. As
they peered through the large plate-glass win
dows they CHANGED to spy, standing At the conn
tel, stout, gray-bearded man, in far cap and
shaggy. 0Ferc0at
Harry, Harry" cried Madge, ezcitedly,
there's Santa Claus I know him by the
picture In your book.
Harry became excited too.
He does look jest like him. don't he?
blieve 'tisl"
oh lets 90 an ask him; an tell him
where we live cried Madge, tugging at her
brothers arn.
No; lets wait till he comes out, answered
the Ia0re cautious boy. The sh0pmau might
send MS AWAY
The old gentleman soon came ont, slipping
suadry parcels into his roomy pQekets.
Are YOU Santa CLAUSE" piped little Madge
her upturned face asl0y with expectation.
broad and beauing smile greeted the tiny
face, with hearty and prolonged Haw, haw,
haw-"
Dots fine choke now and the portly
figure shook with another burst Of laughter
How joiiy be appeared 10 the excited children
Old Santa Claus in tie book was Jolly TOO, ,
they thought
'' Veil vot II says va-as2 You viii not tel
someFoayG Dot ISL right, Of course you xii
nor. Vat shall prings you a"
Aacge peeped from behind her brother;
FORM where she had timidly shraDk ont o.
ssgbt. Tie kind. benevolent expression on tht
FadGy face treasured her, and she came for
ward, saying eagerly:
Something good to eat We don't live
where we used 10"
" Yell, ware you leefs now2 I co0ms to youI
house dis Christmas, If you tells me de vay''
Jest roun the corner in the alley; 20 III
two flights, an its the second door" replied
Harry, pointing with his numb little finger il
tie direction Of his home
at your names is2
Henry Aldrch, d" Margaret AIdrich." an
sTered the children at the same instant
= hat's dat you say, Aldreesh Aldreesh,
Aine Got Il desc can be Edwards childhers
Vat y0ur fader's name is2"
Papa's name was Edward l. Aldrich: hel
dead now; be was ia the war long ago. fore b,
knew mamma, an bali went in his side: h,
was lame aud had lois Of trouble, but be KEEP
little store TIL last year. Then he got sicy
Veil! veil! ii dot don't peats evervtinps
Ware deed your fader cnleest; DO you know
dot2"
Not 'zaetly, cause mamma don't tell u
much Don't the war; she don't member.
guess. cause she's good deal younger than
papa"
Nine Colt in himmels. dis ees most sur
pEising! Edwards childhers sure 'noughi
Then, turning to Nadge, he said:
j on wants something's 70 eatI COON RICH
IN here He led the way into the bakery ant
told the children TO eat all they wished.
Can / carry a little 10 mammal" aslze,
Harry, as he greedily partOok Of the goo
things before him.
Santa Clans viii do dot" was the kindl
answer You shOost eat"
When the hungry children were satisfied tn
kind stranger said:
Now, den, you runs right home md tell
your mudder dot Santa Claus is coomin' by
uBd-by."
on they scampered as fast as the cumbersom
Shawl would allow for IN eXtricatiug her hand
from is many folds 10 eat the goodies Madp
bad loosened the CAREFUL " placed pins. Tn
little feet lad hard work to move at all. wit
the corners and fringe winding about them q
every step.
Mamma! Mamma, they shouted. as the
bounded into the room, where the sad. sic
mother sat in a deep reverie. We've see
santa Claus. an he's comm, an we talke
With him, an we've had lots to eat!"
The clamoring voices made enough noise II
Hail dozen children instead of two