The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-12-22


them"
"Bless your trusting little heart.
you are a great comfort 70 me. Midget"
the mother replied. But for your
sweet, cheering words would give up
all hope and pray God 30 take us both
home TO your angel papa. We nave
only God 20 look to IN our troubles,
daughter, and we must not lose our
faith In the dear Saviour whose birth
will be celebrated all over the world
tomorrow"
20. mamma, Is tomorrow Chris ="
The little one had looked up with n
quick. hopeful glance, then as she
checked the speech upon her lips
shade OF pain swept over her face ana
her eyes dropped. The mother caught
the changing expression on the little
ones features, and her heart swelled
almost 20 bursting, as the tears came
anew into her swollen eyes.
20, mamma, don't-please don't
Midget pleaded. II don't care about
Santa Claus and won't hang up n
single stocking, for know he would
never come 70 hunt me in this far
away place. He W I'll look for me back
at home, and, when he finds / am
gone, will give my presents 70 some
little poor girl
"Yes, you do care, Midget, darling,
but in your brave little soul you try TO
hide your disappointment that IL may
not prieve mamnn. No, darling,
fear good Santa Claus will not find
Won this time, as he has done every
other Christmas since your birth, and
IL breaks my heart 20 think you must
be so neglected"
Don't you mind IL bit, mamma
for | just amt going TO care. II you
will only smile and look happy like
YOU used 20, II will please me more
than anything good old Santa could
bring me In his great pack"
The mother drew the little one 20 hei
bosom and kissed her fondly, and kh'
started when deep sigh, which Midge'
tried in vain 20 repress, escaped from The
baby's breast Her face wore lool
OF desperate resolution as she released
her loved one and said: IA
midget, darling, you will hang nj
your little stockings tonight, ms yo'
have always done, and good Santi
Claus may come here when he visit
the few children in this dreary town
| somehow feel that he will do SO, an'
when you 90 10 bed tonight you mus
ask God in your prayers 20 tell tn
good children's friend where you are
He may find you, darling, but II h
does not you must not grieve to
greatly over Il. Mamma Is going on
for a little while, and you must sta
close TO the stove and try 10 kee
warm until she gets back. l will s
20 the post office, and | may hear iron
the Denver manager 10 whom ] wrot
for an engagement Good-by, baby
and try 10 think that Santa Claus ma
find you. even in this cherries place.
III the thin muslin wall which SCI
arnted her room from the adjoinin
one had vanished Mrs. Maynard woul
have seen sitting near it great biz
! rough miner, with tears sparkling lil'
diamonds In his honest eyes She III
l not know that, as she left her room
, big John" Rogers, as he was know
4 quietly arose and followed her frol
r the house and waded after her throug
a the deep snow in the street
4 He saw her enter the post Office, an
G few minutes later como forth agai
S with a look of distress and disappoin
l. ment on her face. She raised her eye
h 10 look about her. and he noticed thu
j. they were full of tears, but, when ju
c across the street, they encounterc
( three gilded bnlls, her face brighten'
r and she seemed about 10 start towai
L them. Then n cloud OF pain swel
Il over her features and she stood wi
2 bowed head, as IL irresolute- ~
Q stood thus for several moments, th'
her lips compressed, and, rapidly eros
Il ing the street, she entered the paw
d brokers' shop.
Ie "Big John" read the story alta glanc
D. Some cherished keepsake was goin
ir in order that her baby daughter mig
N not miss the expected visit from San
O. Claus--and how dear that keepsal
W must be, for what an effort it requir
IL 10 bring herself 20 the determinnti'
10 20 part with II. The warm heart
G. the miner was yet swollen from [
le conversation which he had heard
ID tween the mother and daughter, a
ne he crossed over 20 tender his ASST
IS. nnce when the shop door opened n
ly the woman came forth. Address,
IL him, she said;
I'd "Can you tell me, sir, II there is
ne shop or store In the town where 70
I'd and candies are kept? Such thin
IL as children like for Christmas, y
u.s. know"
n Tho great-hearted miner was abe
IT. to tell her that he had overheard
Is conversation with her little girl, a
he that she must go right back TO
N house out OF the cold and have no Il
he that Santa Claus didn't know his br
AZ ness, but her pretty, intelligent ia
IA musical voice and air OF quiet ref
e, mcnt nwcd him, and he feared n Z
tn der OF assistance aud a confession q
er he had been cavesdropping might
ed fend her, so he bluntly answered:
NJ. .'Yos ma'am. the big store right VIII
Die you sec that awnin' packs all 5