The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-12-25
DICKS SANTA CLAUS.
ny ErrA xAnrls.


only served to intensity the dreariness Of
the scene.
Many times had Dick wondered where
those giistening rails ended, and had
built air castles about the time when he
would dash By the old tenement house
in one Of those brightly painted cars. al
ways picturing ss the end Of his journey
the green fields andl spreading trees %
the country home his mother bad 50 Of.
ten described TO him.
Cripple Dick bad been slone all day
except when good-natured Mrs. Reilly.
who lived on the first floor, had nun in
to look after his dinner in his mothers
absence at her work, and the time had
hung heavily, more 50 fora fear that had
been tugging at the lads heart-strincs
ever since his mother had said that
morning. in reply to 4 question about
Santa Claus, Try not to think about it
this Christmas. dear, for am afraid Santa
Claus will not come here
Tomorrow was Christmas, and a great
idea struck Dick as be walked out in the
street.-the would seek santa Claus. lie
wen; to where the shops were thickesf.
and Sood around-waiting Just as he
was staring at a window filIed with TOYS.
he started, for there, close to hiin, was
Santa Clans-at last
Il certainly was Santa Claus there
could be no doabt about it. The same
jolly face, the bright, twinkling. blue
eyes, the snow-white hair and beard. the
great fur coat and cap. and, tc complete
the proof, the eapacions pockets. fairly
overflowing with suggestivelv shaped
bundles.
Dick looked for the pack on his back.
but felt no doubt when he did not see If.
for of course Santa Claus had left that at
home.
A moment later, this pleasant-faeed
old gentleman felt a timid pull at his
coat. and heard ehild's voice say.
~Please, Mr.. Santa Claus wait a min
ute"
Turning, in astonishment, he looked
down into a pair of bright. dark eyes
that went straight 70 his heart.
What is it, my little man ?" he asked.
~And what was it you called megs
"Oh, please, Mr.. Santa Claus. mother
said she didn't think you would come 10
our home tonight, and wanted to ask
you not to forget. And bring me book
if you can spare one" with an apologize
accent.
Bless the childr And then, Just as
he Was about to say, with a laugh, that
be was not Santa Claus, the child's look
Of perfect faith, his evident sincerity in
taking him for Santa Claus, swerved him
from his psrpose, and he determined he
would accept the role thus strangely
thrust upon him. II be could obtain the
child=s address the rest would be easy
enough
swell, my boy, tell me where you live.
so I shall be sure not to forget. And then
get home as quick as you can, for it's too
cold for baby like you to be out"
Please, sir, AZ, Fielding court, on the
second floor
"AIl highland your name7"
"Dick Morton"
"All right, Dick. Be sure Santa Clans
will remember. But, bless ny soul.
there's my car. GOOd-by, my boy
@Good-by, sir, and | thank Won so
much"
His face fairly radiant with happiness,
the child turned to go, but his erutch
striking a bit Of ice it flew from his
grasp, and he fell heavily, striking his
head agsins. the stone curbing.
Mr.. Hamilton caught him 10. Dick
was insensible. He secured a carriage
and Dick came to just as he vas carried
into the room where his mother. with a
frightened look, greeted him.
Wasn't Santa Claus good to bring me
home, mother cried. @and he ism
going TO forget me
Mrs. Morton loo ked up in wonder. but
the old gentleman warned her BY a
glance not to undeeeiye the child. So
absorbed had she been in the little feI-
low that not till now had she looked Mr..
Hamilton in the face, and it was evident
that she recognized him.
When ne left the room she followed
him, and in the little entry said under
her breath, that Dick might not hear /:
Dir Hamilton, don't you remember
Mary Benson, who lived at Pleasant Val
ley years ago p
Bless my soul - This seemed to be
q favorite exclamation Of the old gentle
man. ~Sure enough, it is little Mary
Benson, but you have changed since the
days l knew you"
@Ah, yes, sadly changed, know. Sor-
row and sickness take ones youth away
50 quickly. But you look just the sane,
only a little older Pleasant Valley.
Shall ever see the dear old place
again."
Mr.. Hamilton gave little jump.
THE very thing Mrs. Morton, if you
had an opportunity to go to Pleasant
Valley and earn an honest living would
you go?"
"Doitl Oh. sir, hos can you doubt il
But it is impossible
Not at all Not at all. Here. have
been hunting through intelligence offices
for week to find an honest, tidy Amer
ican woman to take charge of my sister
Deborah's household Affairs. OF course,
you remember Aunt Deb. as everybody
calls her. She will stay az the old home
stead, and refuses all our entreaties to
come to Us. She wants a companion.
The work will not be hard you will
have a good home, the compensation
will be fair. What do YOU say ?"
~Mr. Hamilton, how can thank you ?
Indeed | will"
And with a promise to send a bundle
for Dicks Christmas and to see her again
in a day or two, he was gone, leaving her
almost dazed with her good fortune.
What Christmas that was for Dick. to
be sure. When he awOke it was 70 fnI