Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-22

jamin Mckee and the little Harrisons cam
in. We had four good Christmas days an
four grsat trees, every branch of which wa
loaded down with gifts"
BABY MKEE'S GREAT CHRISTMAS.
At this the Brownie jumped from out tn
tree and sat down on the stool at Santa
feet. He asked the old man questions, AM
Santa Claus went on:
THE first great day for Grandpa Harrison
i mean Christmas day, of course; there
are no great days but Christmas-the fur
began with a big tin horn, blown by Mrs
Dimmick At this the white house family
came together and Greatgrandpa DR.. Scott
and Grandpa Harrison formed them into line.
Little Ben Mckee, and Mary walked side by
side, and in double file the children end the
grownups marched into this room. The toys
were not put on the tree, but piled up under
1t, and Mary had a dozen dolls, a toy piano
and a full doll housekeeping GU fit. Ben was
most delighted with a toy steam engine,
which really went by steam and pulled its
way about the room. There were presents
for the president and Mrs. Harrison and all
the white house servants, and Black Jerry,
the butler, | remember, grinned all over
when he was handed out an order for a
turkey and a pair of gloves. There were
games In which the 80 years old DR.. Scott
played with little Ben, and Ben and Mary
recited German poems as Christmas greet
ings to thsir grandparents
WHAT said the Brownie, as his round
eyes grew big. Babies speaking German!'
'Yes!" said Santa Claus. And these are
Just the words that little Mary said:
"G~rossmamma Dir Gottes Legen
Gluck Und Ereund auf allen Wegen
und Gesundheit aller best
Au den Schooner Weinachtsfest."
kind to the president. 1t. was written
out In German text, and it read something
this:
IMei1en Grosspapa dem lieben =.
Hat dies versen ich verschrieben-"
Here the Brownie, who evidently did not
German, broke in. Eyes, Santa,
mat is very nice, but wasn't it rather stiff
for Christmas?"
Yes. perhaps So" was the reply. But it
suited The president, who, just between us. is
to any one, but Baby McKe so wrapped him
self about the old mans heart that the two
made me think Of "Old Abe Lincoln and
lively little Tad"
Here the Brownies eyes grew from pennies
hto saucers, and his round mouth opened
vide until It became a big, round hole in his
at, round face, as he gasped out: IAN did
'ou know Tad Lincoln?"
A STORY OF TAD LINCOLN.
Yes, indeed y said Santa Claus. Il knew
lin and | loved him. He wanted all other
'oys to have as good times as himself, and
how one stormy Christmas day
10 brought a crowd Of hungry, ragged news
oys to the white house kitchens. The cook.
curly, pieaT-eyeI, thln-llppeu DacheI0r, was
asting the Christmas turkey and hot mince
les were smoking on the range. A savory
nell of steaming dainties fioated forth and
lade ths boys mouths water. But the cook,
mn anger In his eye, ragged at young Tad
nd told him to take his ragged squad away,
low Tad's eyes flashed. He flew upstairs,
ut his father was not in. He found him in
he yard, walking toward the War depart
lent and talking to Secretary Seward upon
rairs OF state, and ran TO him and cried:
Papa papa! Isn't that our kitchen, and
mt ! bring those poor, cold, hungry boys
here to eat '
president Lincoln stopped. Tad seized him
y the hand and excitedly went on. !
= Papa, l. want those boys to have a good. {
arm dinner. They are cold and almost .
and two OF them have soldier papas. :
papa, | want to tell you that ! am going =
discharge that cook II he don't give us :
me turkey and mince pies. Say, can't a,
'pa? And isn't that our kitchen?' !.
Il remember" Santa Claus went on. his !
eat round stomach moving convulslyeIy .
AMI down as he laughed within; Il re- b
emDer how Mr.. Seward smiled and how "
IDS fathers face grew tender as he told v
IN to run along and feed the hungry boys. "
I'd Tad did feed them, too! He stuffed their \
omaehs full, and as they went away he p
them with candy and with nuts from II
= sto:e which l had thrust into his own g
,ckings." - d
CHRISTMAS IN ARTHUR'S TIME. al
How many Christmas mornings I've spent d,
Santa Claus went on. Here | came "a
NIL the stockings Of Nellie Arthur, when CT
r father was the president. She was a al
est Guild too. and 1t was through her that m