The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-12-24

self and began openiEga pile Of letters
that lay near. They were varously ad-
dressed: Simon Claus, Esq, MIR. SIMON
CIau-," 'Hon. Simon Claus" and 50 forth.
Finally he took up one which bore IN
bovish hand the words Mr.. :. Claus.
E.4q, y and the name Of the city.
The letter ran thus:
DEER MIR : CLAUS Kitty is awfle bad.
this j. 10 tell you 20 you wood bring her good
Chrismuss ~ you cIId bring something thai
wood make her well Id like it if not bring
something she EIu play with 1" f"rglt laying
still There's Il man kin cure her. lie cures
spinel people y boy told me. he lives on
ward St. I'm going to earn enuff to pay him.
JOE woRRELL, Gunnison alley.
Mr.. Simon Claus preoccupation was
only slightly interrupted by the quaint
letter, decidedly unusual in his business
mail. cpl see what the little woman says
about it," was his passing thought. Then
lie straightway forgot it, as he had the rest
of his mail.
Just then 1.-The little woman" came softly
H. She was a complete. contrast to her
big fair haired, blue eyed Saxon husband,
being petite and graceful, with head that
sat like lily on her slender neck, and ten
der brown eyes that were. like her hns-
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 she!" the man asked.
Gust the same. l wanted you to know.
She il very i'll, Simon. / believe they have
little hope"
Il Wa, cowardly to come OFF here" he
said Luskily, but / could not bear it. Oh,
my baby! Myonly child! If money could
| make you well!'
eve cannot depend on money now, said
the wife very swcetly and solemnly ''Ther
| is but one place to look for help
There was short silence, and then TIN
| lady's wandering eyes caught sight of TIN
soilcd paper lying in front OF her husband
| She took it up and read it mechanically.
That's singular letter." he said, as b
saw her reading. II don't understand it.
Her wOman's wit did.
"Hc was writing to the chi!drens patrol
saint of Christmas, don't you See" sh
said-"Sauta Claus: wonder, now thin1
! of il, tina: Won have never before had let
ters int nded for him. Probably becaus
| the dears who write them throw them int
the chimney place or do not put goo
! stamps on them. | will see to this, bu
come; let us go up stairs to Margaret
| And" she added, leaning over to kiss hin
| before she rose, "let us have mighty hop
and faith for the result Of the consulta
| toni =.
The room which they entered was an ez
| quisite setting for the jewel it held, tn
most precious one in the wealthy mel
chants possession-his only child. Sh
lay like flower among the rose colore
| hangings and furnishings, but no ref1et
ton of their hue could bring color into th
pale face lighted by large brown eyes an
short gold curls. ....
| Three of her ten years had been spent i
pain, which instead of making her selfis
had done the very opposite, and she wa
eager and loving with the little service
4 she could render, especially to the poo
whom her mother helped. sz.s 1T n
/ .Mamma," she called, as the. parent
entered, "are all the things ordered IL
/ Christmas?"ss Is IS -<s5 gE5.sal i -as. ..
Eyes, darling" n'
"How long is it till Christmas, mammaf
the little voice continued.
"a week, Margaret
I'm SO glad it's near" she said. with
happy sigh.
Here is new person to help" ii
mother said, thinking To divert her 81
read Joe Worrell's letter
Margaret was at once deeply interested
and began to plan whit they should sen
to q GuunisOn alley.
I'm so glad | can play Santa Clau
mamma" she said happily. Don't 70
remember used to think we We're son
relation to nimy wish seine more lette
would come
After she had decided what to send .Jo
and Kitty, her thoughts reverted to tt
letter.
Papa. can't | have the doctor that tt
boy told abDut?" She asked suddenly.
why do you want him." the fathe
asked The fellow didn't say that he W.
a doctor. ! wouldn't think of it nov
dear"
"Yes. yes she persisted. Il want hin
Will you ask him to come" And he,
soothe the child, promised.