Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-12-15


emily, but they were all marked one
dollar and half. and l 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-
fore his mother rafting the coins in
the small tin box.
II l give you ten more five-cent
pieces" said his mother, smiling. how
much will you have then"
"One hundred and fifty cents" cried
Archie, laughing aloud. May go and
buy the sleigh now?"
Yes said his mother, "but want
some of those lovely red berries l saw
In the wood yesterday. They would
look so nice among the evergreens.
And besides. grandma and your aunts
love them So"
I'll bring you a lot" said Archie.
In a 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
his sister, who, though only Is years
old, worked hard all day long in the
big 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 a wonderful red and
green sleigh after him, it was almost
dark.
AS he turned a corner suddenly he
ran against a girl standing in the road.
1t was Dicks sister, and she was cry
| ing.
What is the matter" asked Archie.
"Why don't you go homer"
IL can't bear to see Dick. I prom
Used him a sleigh and l spoiled a lot
of silk today and have been dismissed
from the works without my week 8
pay"
She gave one look at Archie's new
sleigh and hid her face on the fence
rail,
The tears were in Archie's eyes as
he went on his way. When he reach
ed the little cottage he stood still be-
hind a great bush outside OF the gate.
Little Dick was still peeping out. Ar
shie watched the eager face for several
moments, then, when the child left the
window, he stole solely through the
title garden and up the rickety steps.
Then, fastening the rope of his beauti-
full new sleigh to the door knob, nc
gave three loud raps and ran away.
He heard Dick open the door and
shout:
"Oh! oh! oh! See what Santa
Claus has brought me!'
Suddenly Archie remembered the
berries he had promised to bring his
mother.
1T is not dark yet" he said, and
know just where to find them" He
climbed the fence at the side Of the
road and went toward a thick clumI
Of trees.
1t was eight o'clock on Christma'
Eve and at Archie's house his mother
stood ut the door looking white ant
frightened His father, with Ian
tern in his hand, stood in the road
Archie had not come home.
Il have been to Mr.. Dunkirks store,
said Arches father. "He left before
dark. Now | will search the wood.
Some one shouted, Hello! hello
hellow
There he is nowr" cried Archie'
mother. Il am so glad!' and she raj
down the road toward the voice.
The first person they met was Ellen
pulling beautiful new red and greer
sleigh over the smooth snow, and OF