Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-12-22

full of sleighs.
1~ said Archie pres
emily. but they were all marked one
dollar and q half. and have only
twenty i've 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 give you ten more dve-cent
pieces" said his mother. smiling. show
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 saw
In the wood yesterday. They would
look so nice among the evergreens.
And besides. grandma and your aunts
love them So"
"I1l bring you lot." said Archie.
In few moments he was running
down the road toward Mr.. Dunkirk's
store.
As he passed n tiny cottage on tho
way very small boy pushed open the
window and shouted:
Santa Claus is going to bring mo
sleigh tonight"
How do you know. Dick?" asked
Archie.
ELLEN told me So" said Dick.
Archie had never seen the little fel-
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 tho
big silk factory to support herself and
her brother. And as Archie walked
toward Mr.. Dunkirk's store he thought
a great deal of Dicks happy face.
Archie took long time choosing his
sleigh, so when his selection was
made and he started OF penniless but
happy, dragging q wonderful red and
green sleigh after him. 1t was almost
dark.
As he turned q 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. prom
ised him sleigh and spoiled a 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.
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 great bush outside of the gate.
Little Dick was still peeping out. Ar
chile watched the eager face for several
moments, then. when the child left the
window. he stole solely through the
little garden and up the rickety steps.
Then. fastening the rope of his beauti-
gave three loud raps and ran away.
He heard Dick open the door and
shout:
"oh! oh! oh! See what Santa
Claus has brought mel"
Suddenly Archie remembered the
berries he had promised to bring his
mother.
1T is not dark yet." he said, "and I
know just where to find them" He
climbed the fence at the side OF the
road and went toward thick clump
Of trees.
It was eight o'clock on Christmas
Eve and at Archie's house his mother
stood at the door looking white and
frightened. His father. with lam
tern in his hand, stood in the road.
Archie had not come home.
Il have been to Mr.. Dunkirk's store"
said Archie's father. "He left before
dark. Now will search the wood"
Some one shouted, Hello! hello!
hello" H a.e
There ne is now!" cried Archie's
mother. II am SO glad!' and she ran
down the road toward the voice.
The first person they met was Ellen.
pulling beautiful new red and green
oil n nuo