Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-12-24

ing:
ell not trouble you for bed. A
sailor can sleep soundly anywhere.
So I'll make this lounge my ham
mock for tonight. with your permits
sion.'
Amy ventured a timid remon-
STRANGE agsinst this arrangement.
Santa Claus would never come down,
she said, il there was any one there
to watch him.
"Neyer you fear that, little curly
head" the stranger said, laughii g.
aHe and / are the best of friends
Sodt was settled that he should
occupy the lounge.
Becky brought out some warm
blankets; and, after the stockings
were hung in their places by the
chimney, the children, and shortly
after them the old man, retired to
rest.
With the first faint light of the
Christmas morn, Will crept down.
stairs, and, after fcraping together
the embers, he emptied the contents
of his stocking on the floor. Then
came the other children, and in the
midst of their eager hustle to get to
the bottom, uncle Darby made his
appearance, wishing them all merry
Christmas.
The children did seem disappolnt
ed, and the old man, who had done
his best to please, looked grieved,
until Will, from the toe of his stock
ing, drew forth silver dollar.
Then, for the first time, a thought
was given to the stranger. The
children did not think of him even
yet. They were busy exploring the
depths of each pair Of stockings, to
find bright new dollar 10 each.
"He knew we wouldn't take any
pay, so he put it there" thought
uncle Darby, as be walked around to
ask the stranger il he had rested
we'll.
But the lounge was unoccupied.
The stranger had vanished.
"Well, never" exclaimed Becky.
"Nhat possessed him to go off in
the night like as though he'd stole
something p
"He looked like an honest man .
said uncle Darby, as he sat down by
the fire, in his stocking-feet.
When breakfast was ready Becky
brought him the family Bible, and
with little Amy standing by his side,
uncle Darby read a chapter from its
pages, and with her kneeling beside
him he offered up the simple morn
ing prayer.
After the breakfast-plain and
coarse for a Christmas one-had
been partaken of, uncle Darby took
his place in the corner and called for
his shoes.
They were under the lounge, ard
Freddie ran to get them.
"oh gran'pal gran'pal they're
chuck full of moneys
And, sure enough, they were.
Bright, crisp bills fresh from the
bank.
Don't touch it, uncle Darby .
said Becky; ''it's counterfeit: Some.
body's plottin' to ruin you,r and her
husband, who just then came in from
the barn, re-echoed her words.
81 might just step down and show
some OF it to Stiles. He'll know
said uncle Darby.
Eyes, and have you rested for
tryin to pass counterfeit money"
Uncle Darby took the money out,
note after note. and Win counted it
on the old man s knee.
1.-TWO thousand dollars! More than
enough to pay-to pay
ITO pay off the mortgage. Yes,
il it's good for anything; but tain I
my word for thatl" said Becky.
Uncle Darby tnok two of the bills
and rolling the rest up, locked them
up in his desk. Then, with Wills
help, he was soon ready to go out.
"You go too. W.ll,n said Becky
seeing the old man could not be dis
suaded from going. "And if any.
thing happens come right back and
let us know
10 half an hour uncle Darby came
back again, With Will drawing .
hand-sled on which huge turkey
and half dozen paper-covered par
cells we're tied. Urc!e Darby said
not word, but vent straight TO The
desk, and putting the roll Of bank
bills in his pocket turned to- go oul
again.
Where now, uncle Darby1' asked
Becky, her eyes vide open with won
derment.
! ITO Horizons, TO pay him Of