The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1897-12-24

doll rise and say just as plainly as a
real person could have said it: "Wel-
come, good people; I am very pleased
| to see yeu."
They all stood still and stared at her
She was certainly a doll, with cheeks
as red as any dolls; but they had never
seen such wonderful doll before. Will
| lie Nlinden, with more curiosity than
politeress, made bold to put his hand
upon her face and pushed her lips
aside to see if she had teeth; where
upon she slapped his hand smartly,
and Mr.. Minden, who was peering in at
one of the windows, shouted:
Hands off the queen!"
Suddenly they heard a great jingle
of bells in the castle park, and noise
like that of the pattering feet of rein
deer. The children turned and made a
rush for the door, knocking over some
of the dolls and almost wrecking the
castle in their haste to leave it; and
the queen followed them. .' '.'t
Mr.. Minden stood at the castle bridge
to direct the children.
"The queen is crying said he, lifting
her in his arms. God save the queen!"
But she became quiet as Mr.. Mipden
bore her to the Christmas tree in the
castle park-a tall pine all aglow with
lights that glittered through a marvel
Gus web of gold and silver strung from
bough to bough. And hanging in the
branches there was everything boy or
girl could wish for sIeds and skates
the rocking horses and shining toys
and mysterious packages tied in many
colored wrapnngs. A short, stout man
in a great fur coat stood beside the
tree.
Where is Davy Minden?' said he in
a deep, solemn voice.
Davy, who was a very small boy,
hesitated a moment, and then knelt at
the feet of Santa Claus, looking up a.
him with pale and awe-struck face.
There was moment of silence. Davy
was thinking hard, knowing he must
say something quickly, or forever lose
his standing with the good saint.
80, dear Santa Claus" he began, 81
wish you'd give me pair o. skates, an
big wagon with two horses an pic
ture book, an a watch, an a fiddle, an
gun, an big, big lot o candy, an
"a" here Davy hesitated, trying to
think of the things he needed most.
Anything else?" said Santa Claus,
rather gruff1y.
"An' one O. those things what We turn
with a crank" the boy continued, look
ing up inquisitively. ..... ..-.
"That'lI do" said Santa Claus, as he
went to the tree and took down the
things the boy had asked for and laid
them in his arms.
And all the children went to the feet
of Santa Claus, one by one, and were
Finally he called for the doll queen,
held her in his arms and kissed her,
and said: 'cPoor little waif; I'm going
to give you a home and a father and
mother" ...-.
Then he gave her a whole family of
beautiful dolls, and one of them-a boy
doll, dressed like prince-walked be-
tween her and little Mildred Minden'
to the ballroom of the castle, where 4
an orchestra of toy musicians, seated
on music box, kept up a great show
of fiddling, as if their lives depended on
it. Santa Claus came in with the chill
dren and sat down to see the fun. The
queen took her rightful seat upon the
throne and then the dance began.
Santa Claus sat smiling at the little
folks, but presently began nodding and
was soon fast asleep. Suddenly the
dance stopped and all the children
thronged about the sleeping figure of
the good saint.
isn't it too bad" said Mr.. Minden,
peering in at one of the windows; isn't |
It too bad that he's forgetting all the
poor children"
Little Davy, who had a very tender |
heart, came and knelt at the feet of |
Santa Claus. He was now awake and |
clubbing his eyes.
30 dear Santa Claus" said little |
Davy, "please don't forget the poor
children. Some of them don't ever have |
my sleds or skates or candy"
''Or any shoes or stockings or father
II mother or bread to eat" said Santa |
Claus, rising and buttoning his great |
.oat. That's right, Davy. I must be
IF, and III always remember the boy |
hat thought of the poor" Then he
ushed out through the trees and was
zone.
And when the children looked at the
queen they saw her leaning over the
rm of her little chair sound asleep, her
'are, baby arms hanging down so that
er finger tips rested on the carpet.
'The queens asleep-long live the
ueen," said Mrs, Minden, lifting up
er majesty and calling the children to
blow her as she walked, STOPPING out
f the castle door. "Poor little thing. |
b. shall always have a home with US"