Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-12-31
S. CLAUS LETTER.
By ANNIE ISABEL WILLIS.
[Copyrish,. 1891. An rights reserved ,


self and began opening pile Of letters
that lay near. They were variously ad-
dressed: Simon Claus, Esq -" Mr. Simon
Claus" Hon. Simon Claus" and so forth
Finally he took up one which bore in a
boyish hand the words Mr.. S. Claus,
Esq, and the name of the city.
The letter ran thus:
DEER Mr. S. CLAUs-kitty is awfie bad
this is TO tell you you wood bring her good
Chrismuss. If you Guild bring something that
wood make her well Id like it IL not bring
something she kin play with to forgit laying
still. There's a man kin cure her. He cures
spinel people. boy told me. he lives on
ward St. I'm going to earn enuff to pay him.
Yures truley,
JOE WoRRELL- Gunnison alley.
Mr.. Simon Claus preoccupation was
only slightly interrupted by the quaint
letter, decidedly unusual in his business
mail. IN see what the little woman says
about it, was his passing thought. Then
he straightway forgot it, as he had the rest
of his mail.
Just then "the little woman came softly
in. She was a complete contrast to her
big, fair haired, blue eyed Saxon hus band,
being petite and graceful, with head that
rat like lily on her slender neck. and ten
der brown eyes that were, like her hus-
bands, full of sorrow. She placed herself
on the arm of his chair, while his eyes
sought hers with an unspoken question.
The doctors have gone" she said.
They will be back this afternoon
How is she2" the man asked.
Just the same. | wanted you to know.
She is very Ill, Simon l believe they have
little hope"
Il was cowardly to come of here" he
said huskily, but l could not bear it. Oh,
my baby My only child II money could
make you well"'
I'VE cannot depend on money now, said
the wife very sweetly and solemnly There
Is but one place to look for help"
There was short silence, and then the
ladys wandering eyes caught sight Of the
soiled paper lying in front of her husband
She took it up and read it mechanically
That's singular letter." he said, as he
saw her reading. 81 don't understand 1t. %
Her woman's wit did.
He was writing to the children's patron
saint of Christmas, don't you see," she
said-'Santa Claus? wonder, now think
of it, that you have never before had let
tiers intended for him. Probably because
the dears who write them throw them into
the chimney place or do not put good
stamps on them. l will see to this, but
come; let us go up stairs to Margaret.
And" she added, leaning over to kiss him
before she rose, "let us have mighty hops
and faith for the result of the consulta,
tioni'
The room which they entered was an ex-
quisite setting for the jewel it held, the
most precious one in the wealthy mer-
chants possession-his only child. She
lay like q flower among the rose colored
hangings and furnishings, but no refec-
tion of their hue could bring color into the
pale face lighted by large brown eyes and
short gold curls.
Three Of her ten years had been spent in
pain, which instead of making her selfish
had done the very opposite, and she was
eager and loving with the little services
she could render, especially to the poor
whom her mother helped.
Mamma" she called, as the parents
entered, ''are all the things ordered for
Christmas?"
"Yes, darling"
"How long is it till Christmas, mammar'
the little voice continued.
"A week, Margaret"
"Pm 20 glad it's near" she said, with .
happX dgh,