The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-12-23

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.
IF l give you ten more five-cent
pieces" said his mother, smiling, how
much will you have then?"
Zone hundred and fifty cents" cried
Archie, laughing aloud. May &C 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"
I'll bring you a 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
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 10 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
a 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 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
Used 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.
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
chic watched the eager face for several
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-
full 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
Claus has brought me!'
Suddenly Archie remembered the
berries he had promised to bring his
mother.
1T is not dark yet" he said, land l
know just where to find them" He
climbed the fence at the side Of the
road and went toward thick clump
If trees.
1t was eight o'clock on Christmas
Eve and at Archie's house his mother
tood at the door looking white and
frightened. His father, with Ian
ern in his hand stood in the road.
Archie had not come home.
II have been to Mr. Dunkirk's store"
aid Archie's father. "He left before
lark. Now I will search the wood"
Some one shouted, Hello! hello!
lello!
There he is now" cried Archie's
mother. II am so glad!" and she ran
Iown the road toward the voice.
The first person they met was Ellen,
ulling a beautiful new red and green
leigh over the smooth snow, and on ,