St. Paul daily globe., 1890-12-21

"rd like some candy, and-and a pict-
ure book, and ="
The little girl stopped.
"Yes. And? -" the old gentleman
said, in the most protecting and en-
| cOuraging way.
And doll" said Lizzie, in an awe
| stricken tone.
| were all settled and there was no more
to be said. And then he asked in
clipper way:
''And what does Tommy want. do you
II guess he'd like some candy and
| picture book" said Lizzie. dreamily.
! Tommy developed no new interest
lie gave one little sniff with his tiny
nose, but he would have probably done
that anyhow. even if his wants were
| not under investigation. he sunk his
| small red ear under his comforter a
| little more and looked. and SO it pleased
| the court he would accept picture
| book.
| ''Well, children, that is all right. You
| go home now to your nanny and be
| good little things" the old gentleman
said. gathering up his reins and setting
| his fur cap firmly oh his head. Good
| by. Good-by"
| The horses started briskly off through
I viz ouCNs anu Will JIllSlC vi
| silver bells disappeared in the crowd in
Broadway. The children stood and
watched MIN until he was out of sight.
and then they turned and walked On,
| the little girl holding Tommy'S hand
| more firmly than before, while Tommy
whose neither garments were far more
roomy than they need have been, rolled
along like half inflated balloon at his
| sisters side.
As the old gentleman guided his horse
| up Broadway he was shaking like a
mold of jelly, and a laugh gurgled up
from his fur-cOyered throat ana floated
a trail of cheerful melody behind him.
His eyes got so shut up and misty-was
1t snowiiakes, do you suppoSe?-that he
had to pull his horse into walk. 1t is
a wonder that he didn't laugh the pack
ages out of the cutter, because lie shook
for dozen squares.
''Oh, my gracious!" he said to him.
self. when be recovered enough to say,
anything; this is too good.'
| Since he was talking to himself, he
didn't have to state what was too good.
| 81 knew it was, cause he knew where
| we lived, and he wanted to know what
| Tommy wanted. As soon as L told him
| he knew"
Lizzie was dreadfully serious about
| and didn't realize for a moment that it
| wasn't very wonderful that the old
| gentleman should know where she and
| Tommy lived when she told him. She
| remembered how hard he had tried to
! recall the house He had forgotten it
with so many places to think of.
Mrs. Foley was washing Mr. FOley's
| red flannel shirt and thinking that if it
| Shrunk much more she would have to
make it over for Tommy, who never
seemed to be quite as warm as she
would like.
| The day after tomorrow was Christ
mas.
She gave sigh when she thought of
| it, and YEARLY twisted the red flannel
| shirt around in her fingers to wiring 1t
| out. Here was Lizzie full OF Christmas
| ideas, and it would be bitter disappoint-
| ment of Christmas morning not to find
| anything in her stocking. But the
1 little expense of buying few simple
| things was all item in a family where
4 the fathers shirts were worn in the
| second generation.
And you told him what You wanted,
| Lizzie?' she asked of the little girl.
| Yes. He asked me so he would know
| what to bring. will get picture book
and candy and doIl,'' said Lizzie,
| cheerfully.
Mrs. Foley sighed again. This old
gentleman, who liked to Joke with chill
dren and make them think he was Santa
Claus, hadn't made the Christmas stock
ing problem any easier for her by put
ting in the girls head what she was 60
ing to get. LiZzie's head was very full
of it.
Hes going to give Tommy some
| candy and picture book, too" she said.
| Then, after moments reflection, she
! caught hold of her mothers gown and
| looked rather wistful.
| Mamma, do you suppose he will give
| away all his dolls before he gets here?''
| perhaps he may, Lizzie; he has so
| many little girls to give dolls to-" said
| Mrs. Foley.
But he has more candy and picture
| books, so they won't give out, l guess.n
| She was rather relieved at the child's
| thought.
"Chomas,'' she said to her husband.
as he sat by the kitchen stove smoking
his pipe that evening, after his DAYS
work, some Old man met the children
| to-day and made 'em think he was Santa
| Claus, and that he would bring Lizzie
| doll and picture books and candy for
them both. Pm afraid we will have to
try and get them the things, or else she
| will feel bad"
'rll try and get 'em," said Mr.. Foley,
| e'shih1 ohO p!it'l WOou pipe out OF MS
mouth and looking at his wife. "They
generally give us something at Christ
mas time up at the store, and Christmas
! comes only once year."
But Nh Foley didn't have to get the
children anything. The next afternoon.
early. Mrs. Foley was told by one of her
neighb0rS that an old gentleman in big
fur coat wanted to see her down stairs
| for moment. So she told Lizzie to
| look after her little brother for few
| moments, and went down the narrow
| wooden steps to the narrow hall.
1t was the snowy-headed old gentle
| man whom the children had seen COM
| ing out of Tiffany's. He was standing
| just inside the door.
Ibid you want to see ne, slr? am
Mrs. Foley" said the good woman.
Yes. l wanted to see you for mo-
ment, Mrs. Foley. Haven't you got
little girl named Lizzie and little boy
named Tommy" asked the old gentle
| man.
Yes. sir, have" Mrs. Foley an
swered. wondering.
"W ell. they saw me yesterday Just as
was going away from an uptown
| store with lot of packages, and the
little girl thought was Santa Claus.n
and the old gentleman's smile parted
| his snow-white beard like the sun
| breaking through some pearl-colored
| clouds.
"'Deed. and you do look like him,
sir" said Mrs. Foley, meaning no Of
fense at ALL" she added.
THANK you," the old gentleman re-
turned. courteously. II think it is a
compliment. But it wouldn't be right
| to look so much like Santa Claus and
not act a little like him. So | have
bought few things, and they will be
sent here this afternoon. | sent for YOU
| to come down so the young ones
wouldn't see me. They must think [
can't get in except through the Chin
ney."
He laughed in his oily, mellow tones.
"They will be pleased, that's sure,'
said Mrs: Foley. gratefully. land it's
| very kind you are. l was afraid when
| Lizzie came home with her head full of
] ,sati,.as SIa 6,is..-.