The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-12-18

fifteen or twenty minutes her mind would
become as clear and as bright as ever.
One day, as my neither and l were on
our way to Elkton, we heard the chatter OF
horses hoofs away in the distance, coming
from toward Elkton. | recollect what my
mother said, pulling me to the fence corner
it was, that is Paddy coming and his mis-
tress is in one of her mad spells''
All see it all again now, that beauti-
full white steed going like the wind, and
his lovely rider looking straight ahead and
seeing nothing, but urging the horse with
these simple words; Cup, up, Paddy, and
away !"
Now, it was said that Butler Lyons was
the lady's stage name and that she was
formerly the greatest actress in the world,
and that she always went by her profess
sional name while in Cecil county. There
must have been a terrible skeleton hanging
in the closet of the beautiful lady for
everything about her seemed shrouded in
mystery.
Now, see this is the same splendid lady
that is in the carriage which comes up to
where these five little children are still
shivering in the road in front of the cottage
This was she whom had seen pass up and
down the Blue Ball road all through the
following summer on her magnificent
snow white steed Her jeweled hand was
pushing the curtains to one side that she
might the better see the little ones.
Stop! Stopn' rang out her sweet voice,
and the coachman brought the vehicle to a
standstill.
Well, little children, she said, ''are you
looking for Santa Clause
''No, ma am said Betsy, "We only
come this far with pap and mother. They
have gone to town"
"But," said the sweet voice, "you are
shivering from the cold. Oh, put that
dear little cherub in here and | will en-
velope him in this robe that he may get
| warm" she said, pointing to little SILVER
ing Ned.
She wrapped the child and pulled him
to her loving heart then asked if the clothes
they had on were the warmest that they
had and Betsy told her they were.
docs Kris Kringle bring you anything
at Chrismas?" asked the kind lady.
Betsy told her that Uncle Kris did not
come to their home on Christmas but he
went to the rich folks homes.
The good lady took out her pencil and
book and told them to tell her just what
they wanted the dear old white-headed
saint to fetch them that night. "For, u
said she, 81 shall put the letter in the post
Office as soon as l get to Elkton, and Kris
will get it this afternoon.
And what variety of nice things the
dear little poverty stricken tots did give
the kindhearted lady as memorandum
of what they would like to have Uncle
Kris fetch item that night.
'Now," said she, children you must
not depend on your stockings tonight fol
Santa could not begin to find room in them
for what you have asked for, but hunt W
five grain sacks, and Kris will put your
respective names on each sack, and Their
fill them to the brim. Now, Santa is a
trusted agent of the Lords, and you must
pray TO him for all these nice things and
you will find each bag full in the morning.
But be sure to be in bed at o'clock, for
the big old saint will not go in while any
one is astir. Take this little darling
straight to the house for he is sound asleep