The Delta independent., 1889-12-24
"Whoar' The sleigh came to a stand

NV hoa!" The sleigh came to stand
[ still, and Kris Kingle, taking the little girl
in his arms leaped to the roof, clambered
to n tall chimney, and in moment the big
| fur cap and the little golden head disappear
cd in its depths.
| place is thisr'
at is the children's hospital" he an-
| swered.
| But won't they see usf'
NO" answered Kris Kringle; ~ have
provided against that
Ladies were moving from cot to cot,
their faces alight with the beauty OF a ten
der sympathy. To some of the little suffer
ers they gave flowers; to others, toys,
dollies, trumpets, books; ana over each
bed spril. Of holly was tied.
| "Ahn' There came u startled exclama-
| tion from one OF the nurses bending over o
| little cot and all tho ladies and several
kindly-faced gentlemen hurried in that
direction. Come" said Kris kringlc;
| then taking Estelle in his arms he carried
her to the bedside.
There lay a little newsboy. Estcllc had
often seen the poor little fellow on the
streets, bu: his CHEEKY voice was hushed,
and his eyes were dim; over his pinched
face the shadow of death was creeping and
one manned hand was raised in the mir,
held softly by the nurse.
"How do you feel, my dearl" asked one
of the ladies with fearful eyes. 80" gasp
ed tho little boy, Il am so-tired-but tho
parson said that ef--ef Iud hold my
hand up--tha--that Good would see it,
an when He cum here to-night-He 'ud
hold 1t an take me home"
'And does my little friend feel happyr
asa1-a L. rf.1lt
side him.
20. y-yes," whispered the little fellow
cd has-ha--" the little head fell back
the pillow; the plaintive voice was
he'd forever, and US the nurse softly
v the eyelids over the slightless eyes,
gentleman kneeling by the cot finished
sentence that the poor little sufferer
began as he said 'God has Gomez
I'd Kris Kingle whispered to Estelle,
hid her sorrowful face upon his
lders and sobbed "See, dear, Johnny's 9
.istmas has come" And 10! us she raised
.r eyes tho room had disappeared tho
| beautiful ladies, the kindly gentlemen. A
| flood OF light spread everywhere. Once
more she saw the angels, and once more up
the avenue of light went happy soul
| 'Or' cried Estellc, sit is Johnny! / am
SO glad-so giad!"
Yes; 1t was Johnny; beautiful angel led
him by the hand through that glorious
multitude. His face was light and happy,
md sec, his hand was no longer manned,
q little voice joins in tho sweet song that
the Heavens; there was a twinkle OF
the CLEAN OF moonlight, a celestial
Z and glory; then 1t all faded away,
tile girl, hiding her face on her
rdian's shoulder, sobbed and
IN so glad, so Glad!'
When she opened hnr eyes
.rself in the sleigh oncc more.
through the silvery moonlight;
housetops; up to brcathless
wn startling depths: and then
!" and "Hullol" crack OF tho
the Jingle and clattcr OF merry
up over the cathedral spirc, then
sides Of night faster than the pur-
Wind, till Just as the faintest of
ig gray announced approaching
tho sleigh stopped on n roof, and
Jingle, lcaping therefrom, took her
nore In his arms. Down tho chimney
went, and then the little girl laughed
lelight, for shc stood oncc more in her
Dom.
w, good bye, dear" said Kris Kingle,
nber what you have seen-thinle In
Ir pleasures that there nre others
lffer-little girls who got cuffs and
instead OF ydollics poor boys
My Christmas Is n crust. Think OF
%, and yon will never bo selfish and
clip being happy. Now, ono faro.
od-byc, dear Old Kris Kinglc," OK.
shc littlc girl-and she was alone.
never exactly understood how it
there was u sound OF Ginning
blare Of noisy trumpets in tho
slow, tho hubbub OF frolic and
I'd she--why she was snug In hei
9 bed. '.rhis is funny" shq
then she looked toward tho fire.
sop there was the big stocking
overflowing, and on tho floor, direct.
sncath It, q new dolly and q nun, and
rat picture books!
HDcar, good Kris Kingle i'' sho said. And
mping from bod she knelt again by the
eside and asked God to help her TO bo /
girl, and TO .'bless papa and mamma,
--every body"
d Il was in this position that her
Tna found her, ~ she came TO wake
,.tle Estollo TO tho Joys and fustivitiei
aChristmRs Day And / knov II tbiI
!, glrl could say what % IN her heart, d
i.nf Hrv,,S HSS Xasr II