The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-12-22


emily. but they were all marked one
dollar and a half. and have only
twenty five cent pieces in my bank"
Bring me the bank" said his moth.
er. opening her pocketbook.
In another moment Archie stood be.
lore his mother rafting the coins in
the small tin box.
II l give you ten more fve-cent
pieces, said his mother, smiling. "how
much will you have them"
one hundred and fifty cents" cried
Archie, laughing aloud. May go and
BUY the sleigh now?"
YES" said his mother, "but I want
some of those lovely red berries saw
IN the wood yesterday. They would
look so nice among the evergreens.
And besides. grandma and your aunts
love them So"
III bring you lot" said Archie.
In few moments he was running
down the road toward Mr.. Dunkirk's
store.
AS he passed tiny cottage on the
way very small boy pushed open the
window and shouted:
santa Claus is going to bring me a
sleigh tonight"
How do you know, Dick?" asked
Archie.
Ellen told me so," said Dick
Archie had never seen the little fell
lows face look so bright and happy.
he knew that Dick lived alone with
MS sister, who, though only Is years
old, worked hard all day long in the
Dig silk factory to support herself and
her brother. And as Archie walked
toward Mr.. Dunkirk's store he thought
great deal of Dicks happy face.
Archie took long time choosing his
sleigh, so when his selection was
made and he started off penniless but
happy, dragging wonderful red and
green sleigh after him, it was almost
dark.
AS he turned a corner suddenly he
ran against girl standing in the road.
IL was Dicks sister, and she was cry
ing.
What is the matter?" asked Archie.
Why don't you go home?"
IL can't bear to see Dick. T nrom-
fsed him sleigh and spoiled lot
OF SILK today and have been dismissed
from the works without my weeks
pay"
She gave one look at Archie's new
sleigh and hid her face on the fence
rail.
Inc tears were in Archie's eyes as
ne went on his way. When he reach
ed the little cottage he stood still be-
nlnd great bush outside of the gate.
Little Dick was still peeping out. Ar
chse watched the eager face for several !
moments, then, when the child left the
Wiadow, he stole solely through the
llsfle garden and up the rickety steps.
4 hhn fastening the rope of his beauti-
lui new sleigh to the door knob ne
gave three loud raps and ran away.
He heard Dick open the door and
shout:
oh! oh! oh! See what Santa
eiaus has brought met
suddenly Archie remembered the
berries he had promised to bring his
mother.
1T is not dark yet," he said. "and l
Know just where to find them" He
the fence at the side of the
road and went toward a thick clump
If trees.
1T was eight o'clock on Christmas
~ and at Arch IS house his mother
'tcoa at the DE- looking white and
frightened. His father, with a Ian
ern in his hand, stood in the road.
archie had not come home.
/ nave been to Mr.. Dunkirks store"
alu Arches father He left before
ARK. Now I will search the wood"
some one shouted, Hello! hello!
lello."
There ne is now!' cried Arches
nother- L am so glad!' and she ran
lo"a the road toward the voice
lie hrst person they met was Ellen,
niins beautiful new red and green
leigh over the smooth snow, and on
i l ] | l.