Middletown transcript., 1893-12-16

| not expect any presents. Susie ha'
been warmly clothed and her wretche'
home had been frightened by the visi
of Jack and his mother, The boy wa
satisfied. He had made his choice ant
expected to abide by it.
But, marvellous to relate, as h'
looked towards the fire he saw a crowt
of tiny people hurrying and fussinf
about on the fur rug before the fire
Three or four had a miniature ladder
which they were putting up against ths
side of the fireplace. Several other:
had hold Of one of Jacks long stock
ings. When the ladder was in place
little man, with elfsh eyes and spider.
like legs climbed the ladder, dragging
Jacks stocking after him, and hung ii
up on a hook and then coming down
put his hands on his hips and surveyed
his work with great satisfaction.
"That's what call good Job" he
said. "Now hurry up, you folk, and
get your presents in there before st.
Nicholas gets along"
Then fairy after fairy climbed the
ladder and put in his presents. There
was fat brownie, who brought a
basket of nuts from the woods.
II have worked all day." he said,
looking under hedges and dead leaves
to gather these nuth for the boy who
was kind to Susie.''
A quaint little fairy in curious
gown and cap approached. 81 have
come clear from the borders of the
Black Forest in Germany" she said,
"to bring this music-box for the boy
who was not ashamed to look after
poor little girl"
There was quite a stir as a remark
ably fairy approached. He was cop
per-tinted and had feather stuck in
his black hair, and he bore on his
shoulder beautiful bow and arrow.
From the lands of the setting sun
/ have Gomez said he. 81 am Puck
wubjie, an Indian fairy, but wanted
to bring an offering to the young pale
face who has good heart"
A merry little man in green climbed
the ladder, hauling up a beautiful toy
sword which he had brought from
England for Jack. Then there fol-
lowed one of the ''good people" of
Ireland with a drum which he had
brought from the Emerald Isle. "Sure,
its hurrying 1 must be after doin,"
be cried, ''to be back before daybreak. I"
In the midst of all this excitement
there came paving of tiny hoofs
overhead and jingling Of bells, and a
voice down the chimney cried, 'Whoal'
very loudly.
at this every fairy yanishad abb
iuptly. But the stocking was left
hanging there, and presently, with a
scramble and rush. down the chimney
came the good Saint himself. Jack
knew him directly from his picture.
He examined the stocking attentiveiy.
$50 they've been here ahead Of mel"
be observed. tThat's great ideal
never was left before. Well, no mat
teri There are few things they've
forgotton. Here are the skates, the
games, the box of caramels, the books,
and as he talked he piled the packages
up on table near the fireplace.
Jacks eyes we're SO heavy he couldn't |
hold them open. He shut them for an |
instant, and when he opened them
again it was Christmas morning.
He sprang from his bed and rushed |
% the fireplace. Yes, there hung his |
stockings full and running over, and
he table near by was loaded with |
lifts.
And, if you were to argue forever,
,ou could never make Jack believe that |
here is no Santa Claus or such things
Is fairies.
81 know BETTER" he says, with a de
,ided shake Of his curly head. "Iknow
,etter, for I've seen them.'