Nevada County picayune., 1891-12-24

letter he laughed and showed it to Thomas Raymond, another clerk who was busily engaged at another table. Mir. Raymond real it thro ugh. The name Oakley attracted his at tention. "What if it should be James Oakley, the friend of my boy hood 2" he asked himself
 Christmas eve came, Dick and Robbie, with the unwavering faith of childhood, hung up their stockings, said their prayers around their moth- CTS knee, and were soon tucked away in their little beds, dreaming of Christmas and Saatr Claus. Mr. Oakley, too feeb'e 10 si, np more than few hours at q time, had al. ready retired. Mrs. Oakley sat thinking sadly of the disappointment which seemed awaiting the children for the first time in their lives. Sud denly the doorbell rang, and as Mrs. Oakley opened the door, there stood an congressman and in the street a loaded wagon. From it's depths he drew out big fat turkey, hand sled and heavy paper box wrapped up in thick paper. Having deposit ed the things in the hall, he hurried out to his wagon and drove away, leaving Mrs. Oakley greatly puzzled. Surely there must be some mistake, she thought. But no; the packages were all plainly marked: "James Oakley, No. 36 East Fourth street, " and on the sled was neatly painted : "Dick Oakley In the paper box was a French doll with real hair and eyes that closed when she was laid down. A little card attached to it was marked: Margaret. There was also ball marked "Robbie. " and such lots of candy and pretty things for all. The stockings were soon filled to the very tops, and the other things laid out ou table, where the children found them the next morning.
 There was a joyful meeting around the breakfast table, but Mrs. Oak ley's face wore puzzled expression. Finally she asked: Where could all those things have come from ?"
 Why, mamma" said Margaret, "Santa Claus sent them. 1 know he did, cause 1 wrote to him..
 "You wrote to him?" said her mother.
 Yes, I wrote and told him where we lived"
 This made the matter clear enough to the children, but only deepened the mystery for the father and moth- CT
 In the afternoon, when full justice had been done to the turkey, Marga- ret sat holding her beautiful new doll, Dick was out drawing his sled through the streets, and Robbie was asleep, a summons came from the front door. As Mrs. Oakley went to answer it she found there tall bearded man, who inquired for Mir. Oakley. She led him to the little sitting-room where her husband sat propped up with pillows in his arm- chair. The caller went straight to him, seized his thin hand and asked l: "James, don't you know your old friend Tom Raymond?" It was in- deed the frieud and playmate of hls early ual B.
 But how did you find me-" n- quired MT. Oakley.
 "Oh, l had it from Santa Claus, laughingly replied his friend, and then he sat down and the two talked over the events of their boyhood. They had sat together in school {; together they had climbed the hills and hunted squirrels, gathered nuts and rowed their boats on the broad Hudson.
 As the talk went on suspicion grew upon Mrs. Oakley of the man. ner in which Santa Claus happened to send the presents. But the visit or gave no clew to the mystery, nor did she see through it until Margaret had told her the whole story of her letter to Santa Claus American Agriculturist.