Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-21

some time, through the one pane from which
he had scrapeG awav the frost, he heard a
jinCling OF bells and the tramping OF horses
feet. The sound grew more and more dis
tiEct anc a moment later Vigg saw dark
object moving over the snow, and soon dis
tiDCuished a tiny sleigh. drawn by four
small ponies, which tossed their heads as it
they enjoved the cold, rosty air. To Vigg's
great surprise, this quaint turnout stopped
before the cottage door, and q little old man,
with a wrinkled fIce and a long white
beard, dressed in fur from head to foot,
spraug out OF the sleigh.
"Wel, little curly-head," he said to
Vigg, who by this time had opened the
window. ''is no one at home9''
you see that I am here" replied Vigg.
"Why, Of course" said the little man,
chow very stupid 1 was to ask such ques-
tion. But why have you no Christmas
lgbts?"
y shall have those when Aunt Gertrude
returns, was the reply.
DO you know who amp" asked the
stranger.
"No. do not know you," answered the
boz, "and do you know who 1 amp"
The old man took off his fur cap. and bow
ing with mock reverence before Vigg, said,
while his ewes sparkled with fun think
I have the honor o. speaking to Vigg, the
great warrior of the heath, who HIS not been
frightened by the longest beard in the land,
and who is now wearing his first trousers.
You are Vigg, and l am Santa Claus. Have
you ever heard of me?'
"Oh, are you really Santa CLAUSE" cried
Vig- eIciteily, ''then YOU must be very
good man; FOR my aunt has often told me
about you"
s'Many thanks for the compliment, - said
Santa Claus. "And now cDme and take a
ride. I promise that you shall be back
before your aunt returns, and 1 want you to
mske some calls with me.''
Vigg needed no second invitation, ar d he
was soon seated by Santa Claus, and the
little sleigh few like the wind over the hard
surEace Of the snow. Vigg had nevel
thought 10 enjoy such pleasure. 1t was Sc
warm and pleasant under the soft tur robes
and the stars in the wintry sky seemed tc
shine brighter than ever before. When the
barren heath had been crossed and the road
TO the village reached, Vigg saw Christina
lights cleaning from many homes, anc
through the open windows he caugh
glimpSes o bright, happy faces, ana h,
could almost hear the sweet carols which
were being sung. Finally, the sleigh stopped
before little tumble-down house and SAINT
Claus said: Here 1 shall make nv frs
call, for 1 love the people in this poor cot
tage."
ANXIOUS TO see the people whom Sanu
Claus said he loved, Vigg peered curiously
into the bare room. Ibere, around a wooc
fre.-sst a pale woman and several children
Who. IN spite of their thin garments auC
pinched faces, were listening with great in
terest while the father read to them of tn,
Christ child, and his love for the little ones
Santa Claus opened large bag, which ht
carried in the sleigh, and took out book,
and knives for the boys, dolls and work
bo1es Tor the girls and warm clothes auG
spectscles for the father and mother, an6
last Of all, a basket of nutritious food. Th,
old man placed these gi Is at the door, and
without waiting to witness the Joy they
would bring, sprang into the sleigh and ht
and Vigg were soon on their way again
They visited the rich and poor. No on,
was forgotten, aud Vigg could not helI
thinking: 81 wonder if there will be any.
thing left TOR me in that great bag"
Finally, Santa Claus stopped before the
Kings palace.
'This will be my last call. he said, 81
have here two gifts for the young prince"