St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-25

called him, eked out livelihood by dis
posing of property about which ques-
lions might be asked. TO him Bill made
his request.
II want good horse and sleigh for
two or three hours, Smith,
''All right, BILL" said the old man.
Anything in it for me?"
Not this night, Pop. No, I don't
want cutter. Give me a sleigh with
some body to 1t; plenty of robes and no
BELLS" he added.
In few moments lie was driving
through the heavy snow. 1t took him
put an instant to make up his course.
Out from the sin and misery of his own
neighborhood, acsoss the bridges to a
distant part of the town. Judging Alright
that rather in the homes of the humber
well-to-dO would security and generoS-
lty bring him the best return.
After hall an hours steady driving a
gleam OF light shot out across the snow.
The horse swerved a little, and looking
TO the side he saw man standing at a
window with gayly-bedecked tree
gnstenlng In the brightness behind him.
de noted the house and went on.
An hour later he had hitched his
horse a block down the street. 1t took
put a moment to push the butt of his
tuC HOlSS III lUS
bottoms of the street lamps near by
and put them out. He returned
TO his vehicle and walked him care
1ully up to the house. A few minutes
more and he had taken out the entire
sash In the window where the man had
been standing. One by one the articles
ne wanted in the pretty little parlor
were carried out and laden on the
sleigh. The tree, the bundles and boxes
near 1T, some of the chairs. even an oil
stove his lantern had revealed. were
carefully packed aboard and covered
with the robes. He did not take time
to replace the window, but left the snow
beating in upon the bright carpet.
Everything in readiness, he speeded by
somewhat devious course to his home.
Chapter Nv.
Again Bill entered the door of his
room. Maud was on her knees wipIng
mp the floor. She rose and kissed him
before he set down the oil stove he was
carrying and lighted it.
Il was working to keep warm" she
explained as she stood smiling, holding
her hands Ill the hot air, and happy in
the light.
Are the youngsters asleep ?'' he
asked smiling back
mo, dear; they're too hungry" she
answered simply.
Were all hungry, Maud" he said.
Lock the inside door and come down
and help me.''
Many trips they made down to the
old stable in the alley, going with
empty hands and coming back with full
ones. She was too weak to be of much
help, so after Bill had brought up an.
arm chair, he left her in it before the
little stove.
tlast everything was in, the Christ
mas tree arranged, the little candies
found and lighted, and even the eight
little stockings he had stolen hung upon
the wooden shelf at the side of the
room. Then the little people, who were
begging piteOusly to be let out, were
admitted to the splendor and warmth.
Even the little fodder seemed happy,
blinking in the bright light, but he
looked up at his father and lisped.
"Bwead, dada
The happiness faded from Bill's face.
Turning he saw a big unopened box.
Again his short steel lever came in play.
Lifting the cover, he displayed to the
chlldren's admiring gaze all the posi-
bilitieS of New England cookery.
Quickly the tree was lifted from the ia
bic on which it had stood in its former
liOthC dllu q JONIdl ldllllty Scdleu lGScll
about roast turkey, doughnuts, mince
pies; even some lOaves of hop-yeast
bread and jar of cranberry sauce were
not wanting.
The first hunger satisfied, the joyful.
eager little folk turned to their pres
entS. The stockings had been emptied
on the table first. as the mother had
helped her barefOoted little charges put
them on. Maud, who asked no QueS-
lions, even as Bill had asked none of
her from the time they first met, was re-
warded with many things they had
never hoped to own. Allhad more than
they had asked for. a
'e just when the fun was at its height
and the wonderful box had been ex-
plOred to the bottom Maud saw sheet
of paper. Unfolding it Bill read:
Dear John and Ruth, F" and glancing at
the end saw the sentence, do you ever
see poor Willie Wilder?' and the sigma
ture "KeZiah Northway."
As he crushed it in his hand, he NUT
tered: THANK God, I'm part way even
with those whelps at last!"