The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-22

their stockings Christmas morning,
even il they are lucky enough to have
a stocking to hang up, and fireplace
at which to hang it.
And there are other little boys who
are going to have entirely too much for
their good. But my story is about one
little boy and the wonderful Christmas
old Santa Claus had laid by for him. 1t
is every bit true, but I am sure that
you will feel when you have read it
that the old-time fairy stories are no
longer grand enough and there should
be brand new lot written to fit the
modern inventions and discoveries.
This little boys name was William
Vincent Astor and he is the only
child of one of the richest men in the
world. One reason for the unusual
celebration this year is due to the fact
that the little chap has just passed
four years, and this is the first of his
four Christmases that he could really
and truly appreciate blessed old Santa
Claus and his wonderful gifts.
When William opens his big brown
eyes Christmas morning he wi see
first of all one of his little white lambs
the open fire in the beautifully ap-
pointed nursery. The stocking will be
even fatter than when filled by the
baby's plump little leg. The filling
will be old fashioned, just the same
things that you and and all the rest
of good little girls and boys have found
since Christmas came to make this old
world better place in which to live.
In the toe Of this particular stocking
there will be an orangs golden yellow,
a big round rosy apple will come next
and then nuts and candies of every
sort and kind. The toys will not be in
evidence until ter the Christmas
breakfast, then this little William will
be permitted peep into q fairyland
as beautiful and wonderful as Alsddin's
lamp could bring forth in the dear old
days of genii and magicians and elves.
The father Of the little lad, John
jacob Astor, is an electrician way past
the amateur stage, and he has spent
many busy days in his workroom de-
vising the wonders which are to aston
ish his son and all the little guests who
have been lucky enough to be hidden
to the Astor Christmas tree.
The grand saloon in which the tall
holly tree stands is one of the most
Besides the tiny porcelain candles of
white and pink and blue, the light
pours out from stars and snowy white
lily cups in pleasing contrast to their
bright red berries and the glossy green
leaves of the holly tree.
The fruit of the tree Is rich indeed,
for it is all of gold and silver. Toys of
such precious metal are new thing to
Americana, but in quaint old Holland
they have been played with for hun
dreds of years. Each family of impor-
tance iu the old Dutch land has these
toys, which being indestructible are
handed down from father to son and
from mother to daughter through gen.
erations. Bunched with gold colored
ribbons these wonderful solid silver
toys hang from every little twig and
branch of this generous tree.
Tiny coffee pots, sugar bowls and
creamers Of varying shapes and designs,
daintily shaped chairs for dolly to sit
in and rock in, cups and saucers hold
ing quite tablespoonful of milk or
chocolate are for the especial delecta-
ton of the little maids, who play tea
party with their dolles. For the lads
there are cleverly wrought animals,
goats drawing wagons, storks with
chRrlOC OF DaDy sCOrke, dogs barking
furiously with only their heads show
ing beyond the protecting door Of the
kennel, and rocking horses, all of d.
minutive size, but wrought with all the
skill which grown-up critics would de-
mand. At the foot of this tree are
placed the toys too large to hang upon
the tree, and these are all for the little
Astor child.
But the present Of all presents to the
favored boy is not in the house at all,
but safely guarded in the famous Astor
stables. It is real live pony. of the
gentle, intelligent Shetland breed; it's
coat is as silky as fine lady's sealskin
sacque, and it's eyes are almost human
In their softness.
Along with all of the juvenile mil