The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-12-14
blowed me off to it. Wat would youse like
fnn. ~, D,ll.nD'f

looh, I'LL one uell llllSS WIZ Wheels Nut
| seed Il lame chap ii ridn' in one day in
Patterson Park.
''Well,' said Jimmie with an air of
wistful longing on his honest little face,
81 want enough tin to pay de rent, an
to Git some coal an tings like dat an den
| would like some clio es an sich fer Nam
an me-but say, wat $ de use o wishin'
fer wat you can git? And with that
Jimmie darted away, nearly catching the
reporter as he gazed through the window,
listening to conversation never intended
for his ears, and which could easily be
heard through the broken and patched win
dow panes
Jimmie passed the reporter and went on
his way. He had hardly gotten out OF
sight before policeman tapped the report
er on the shoulder
What are you after, young fellow! said
the man of law 1--WE been watching
you for some time. The reporter turned
around, and as the light from a street lamp
shone on his face the policeman recognized
him.
Il beg your pardon, Mr. Nicholas, he
said II didn know who you was
.,All right, Nike, said Mr.. Nicholas
DO you know the name of the people liv
ing in that room?
Yes, sir; the widow Mullin lives there,
and has a hard time Of it, hear she 5
going to be put out next week unless she
can pay the rent. Good night sir, he
called out, as the reporter moved away.
Mr.. Nicholas walked slowly back to his
quarters thinking very seriously, and they
were not pleasant thoughts, for reporters,
as rule. cannot afford to make Christmas
presents which are high priced, and he felt
a great desire to relieve the want and pow
erty he had just seen.
Presently. however, he frightened up,
and said ''Tll do itr'
Taking car he rode up to Charles
street, and rang the bell Of a house not
very far north Of the Monument, and where
he evidently was frequent visitor, if one
can Judge by the smiles Of the maid who
let him in
CHAPTER IL.
Little Jimmie Mullin woke on Christ
mas morning at an earlier hour than usual
because it was too cold to sleep. He went
to the fire place where he had hung two
little stockings, full of holes, the night be
fore. and when he saw how empty they still
were, he sat down and cried as if his pool
little heart would break. II knOwed ii
warn no use, he said, with a long sob,
and after putting the scanty bed clothes
more closel around his still sleeping mother
and brother, he opened the door to start
on his round to sell the morning papers.
1t was very dark, and he struck his foot
against something heavy, and fell forward,
humping his head on another something
heavy, which proved to be two big store
boxes. He thought somebody must have
thrown them there for joke, but he founc
they were too heavy for him to move, and
then, with happy light in his eyes he
rushed back to waken his mother.
Wake up Mani he said breathlessly
Il IN Il chunp if Saint Nick aint been
here
He literally dragged her out Of bed anc
to the door, and with her da zed assistance,
managed to pull the big boxes inside.
''Ain't we got no hammer? asked
Jimmie, but without waiting for a reply he
cot battered old axe from corner of the
room, and pried one of the boxes open
As he did so, his mother sat down anc
cried ed,-somewhat to Jimmie disgust.
There aint nothin' to cry fer, Nam
jest wrap de bed cloes round yer, an pile
in.
The poor, overwhelmed woman meekly
obeyed her small master, and they began
OH the box.
The first thing to come forth was big,
soft comfort; beneath that, 4 pair Of
blankets; then bundle of warm wooler
cloth; then tle-boy's suit Of clothes
then another little-boy suit Of clothes
then three pairs Of shoes Of three different
sizes; then Il lot Of paper and packing
which they removed tc find a big turkey
il ham; jars of preserves; box of candy
oranges; a pair of skates; train ofrailroad
cars; a ball; balloon; and lastly, bundle
of fire crackers. \ queer little sound from
the bed awakened Jimmie and his mother
from their contemplation Of the things be-
fore them. There sat Bobbie, his face
blue with cold but with an expression OF
such awed surprise as to be almost laugh
able
wat is it, Nanny? Did Saint Nick
get here?''
,'Dat's wat, Bobbier' said Jimmie
shouting with happiness, Get up an
watch us open de odder box >
DE odder box was not SO heavy; il
contained wheel chair, or perambulator
which was just the right size for Bobbie
the cripple, and on the seat of it was ;
letter which Jimmie handed to his mother
After much trouble she stirred the ashe,
into few live sparks, and by the light o
the fire made of box tops, she read the
following letter:
CHRISTMASTOwN,
Christmas Day, 1895.
Nv dear little Jimmie Mullin:-
One of my boys sent me word where
you live, and what you would like for YOU
mother and your brother. As your chin
ney is too small for me to get through,
leave these things at your door. Away
keep up your spirits, and try to be a flint
fellow, and | will not forget you.
Faithfully yours,
s'ST, NICHOLAS.
Happiness reigned in that little family
and so filled with it were they that small
bit of paper fell to the floor unnoticed til
Bobbie picked it up.
1t was bank note for fifty dollars
While Mrs Mullin was recovering from
this last shock, clutching the money to he
breast and inwardly thanking God for thi
release from her troubles, Jimmie was max
ing the fire burn more brightly, and th'
happy little family was soon eating break
fast of fried ham and numerous slices o
bread and preserves.
In the midst of this feast, loud knocl
was heard, and loud voice asked if ''tht