The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-12-23
HOW SANTA CLAUS CAME.

HOW SANTA CLAUS CAME,
Il was Christmas eve. clear and frosty.
Toe sky stretched above, one eloudles:
canopy Of blue, studded with counties.
genIike stars, While the silvery moon
shed is bright and matchless radianse
over al
The night came on apace, snd the many
feet that thronged the crowded streets
or entered the briIliAntly-lighted stores
or saloons, whose tempting wares for
bsde that any should pass them by. grew
less and less while within the Dwellings,
whose tail fronts stood up sgainst the
quiet sky, many little hearts beat high
with hope OF anticipation, and many =
childish voice might be heard inportun-
Ing the good = Nicholas for the posses
sion Of some coveted treasure.
But Il IS not Kiih the rich that sc have
to-io tonight: %. passing The homes Of
stHnenee and pride, We viii pause before
tiny cottage in remote part Of the
great city.
Very tiny, indeed. il appeared at first
sighi, for it was only one-story high, and
over the low roof the dropping e4yes
might also Dc touched by your hand. A
small wooden pzliBg fence enclosed the
Iiny strip Of garden IN front, and plot
sc1rceiy lsrcer &; the hack Of the house ;
and here lived the widow Martin and
two chiidren-twins-a boy and girl Of
seven years
The blinds that protected the two small
windows h4i been drawn Close and in
a los chair, With her eyes bent upon
some fine sewing, sal Ms Martin: glsnc-
inz occasionally AZ the innocent sports
OF her children, 2hile 8 pensive smile
res.ei upon her lips ROus ng herself at
last from the painful reTerie into which
she had fallen, and which had drawn
more than one sigh from her lips, she
said, quieily
Come, children, its time you were to
bed and asleep
The children ceased their play and
came 70 her SIDE then throwing their
arms about her neck and casting a bright
glance toward the FIRE place. where two
little stockings were suspended, Nellie,
her m0ther's uzmesake, said
. We mus. 4sF good Santa Claus first
for what Ee want, and then We can 20 70
bzd, mamma"
Mrs.. Martin sighed Little chance
there E&s for gifi- al this holiday time.
Alone in the world, her husband dead
and her only brother zlienated and wan
deriug, she knew not where, her utmost
exertions for the last twelve months had
scarce sufficed to win for them the bar
est necessities-
Il ~zs hard % diszppoins their child
isb faith, and her eyes filed with tezus
a. she answered; sadly;
= an afraid santa Claus viii pass Is
by tonight, my darling He IS very liz
tie likely to ind MS way into our PoOT
home.
~Oh, YES, be viii, mamma cried Ed
die, confidently be has never forgot
ten Us before, and I know be won't this
time I mean to cal up to him night
away
i slight sound outside, Al this moment
a. If a foot crushing the crisp snow, eAus-
ed Ms Martin % start then she re
sumed her sewing, While Eddie sp-
preached the chimney, and in hi. eiezr-
childish voice petitoned Santa Claus not
70 forget then, but to bring the overcoat,
czp and boots 50 sorely needed, and
Whatever toys he could spare from bis
generous store, beside
There, now ne exclaimed. stepping
back, his little cheeks closing with an
ticspation-
NoE, Nellie. lis your turn
The little girl advanced timidly, and
bsnt her face dosn, with grave earnest
hess
~pe4r santa Claus she called, sweet
". please come to-nigh; and bring u =
few presents. Mammals sfraid you'll for
zet Is. 6ut I knoS you sent
Vow. mamma she said. returning
TO her mother with her little face rzdian,
With the Trust her words had inspired,
you asa him for something. and then
he'll come, I'm sure he vent disAp-
point al Of G=-7
Mrs Martin smiled through her tears
You Kill have 10 ask him for ne,
Nellie. He doesnt listen to the old PeO-
pie"
Very vel, mamma What shall l
ask him for -
But Mrs Martin didn't hear her in the
emotions thai overpoxered her.
On, that some good angel would
guide my brothers wandering footsteps
back 70 me- she fzltered, br1kenIy, -ths;
I might offer him my forgiveness and
ask his, ihat might once more have q
sympAthizing Lezrt TO love and to lean
upon
She bowed her head upon her hand;
and wept. Nhile The child, slipping from
her side, SzAin stepped fOr~srd 10 ths
chimney.
Dear santa ClAns.r once more she
pleaded, sOa'I ysa please bring Uneis
Eddie back 70 mznDs she wants tc
forgive him-she loves him-ske cries fol
him every DAY on. dez- Santa Ci&us
say you viii =
What made The little one start back