The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-24

Inere were ner STOCKINGS hanging at
the side of the fire placed. stuffed TO
| the toes.
I'm find it," said Hope. running for
ward You mustn't look at yous pres
ents."
The next moment Margaret was hold
| ing the candle close to the telegram
| and was reading:
'.Win be home Christmas morning,
Margaret, darling
MOTHER AND FATHER"
| They're in New YORK now Aunt
Helen says they sent the telegram the
minute they landed said Hope. caper-
! ing about the room
.Oh. this is the best Of all my Christ
mas" said Margaret, hugging the tele-
gram NO matter how many sur
prises Aunt Helen has for tomorrow,
this is the best"
1 Very early Christmas morning Aunt
Heien's SURPRISES began
| At O'Clock little silver bells
woke Margaret and Hope from happy
dreams, and the next moment there
was knock at the door. and then the
door opened. and there stood Santa
Claus with a pack on his back and a
powdered wig and such a funny mask
on his face that both the little girls
broke out laughing.
Il have found so much to do through
the night I couldn't get here a moment
! pitched. unnatural voice.
"Oh. who do you suppose ii is?" said
Hope, clapping her hands. Il guess it's
Aunt Helen"
why no. it's a mans voice. Can't
you tell it's mans voice." said Mar
garet.
There amt very much left in my
pack, said Santa Claus. throwing them
kiss and making a splendid bow. "and
all / have here Is for Miss Margaret,
but she must share with her little
friend-I didn't expect to find her here"
Santa Claus swung the pack from his
shoulder to the table and began care
fully to unite the string which bound it
Margaret and Hope were sitting up
in bed watching him.
who do you suppose 1t tsp" said
Hope. giggling. (She knew very well
who it was)
Now here is locket and chain that
a certain little girl has been wanting
for several years." said Santa Claus,
speaking in the same funny high voice.
He held the locket and chain out before
him.
"Oh. oh, isn't it lovelyl~ said Marga-
ret. standing up in the bed and holding
out her hands for the locket.
In the locket you will find picture
of your beautiful mother" said Santa
Claus, coming over to the bed.
"Oh, ! know you'll 1 know you," said
Margaret. throwing her arms around
Santa Claus neck. The minute 1 saw
your hands l knew you. Oh, papa,
papa, papa!"
Santa Claus sat down on the edge of
the bed and tore off his mask and kissed
Margaret again and again.
Come in, Mrs. Santa Claus" he
shouted, the fun is over. She knew me
right away"
And then the door opened and with e.
glad cry of delight Margaret was in
her mothers arms.
I'm so surprised and happyl' said
Margaret, looking from one dear face
to the other.
II told her about the telegram be-
cause she cried last night said Hope
You said we wouldn't TELL" laughed
Margaret. Hope can't keep secrets at
ALL"
You just wait and see If can't keep
a secret. / didn't tell you that your
papa was to be Santa Claus and there
are lots of things L haven't told" said
Hope.
Aunt Helen has our house all in or
der and the fires started so we can go
right over home the minute you are
dressed" said Mrs. Graham
''Oh, 1 can't go home. We're going
to have party. Didn't Aunt Helen
tell your
Yes. but she expects us to go home
to breakfast" replied Mr.. Graham,
laughing.
Yes. she does, Margaret, and I'm go
ing with you," said Hope, and then put
her hand quickly over her mouth. "Oh,
almost let another kitten out of the
bag"
When Margaret was dressed she ex-
amined the pack that Santa Claus had
brought. but she found it was only
large roll of cotton CLOTH The rest of
the presents We're TO come later. And
when she ran down stairs to examine
her stockings she found nothing in them
but rosy checked apples. And when she
went to Aunt Helen's room 10 say good
morning and Merry Christmas" she
found the room empty and the bed all
neatly made.
''Oh, I've guessed, I've guessed, The
party is going to be- over at my house,
because it's larger, and Aunt Helen is
over there
Yes. you've guessed part. but that
isn't half" said Hope.
And SO they ran down stairs and
across the yard into the big stone
house
.'Ohr' cried Margaret. cIapping her
house. doesn't it?''
There L didn't tell you the best of
all. did II" said Hope
''Oh. no, isn't it lovely?"
1t was indeed a sight to remember
The large hall and all the beautiful
rooms on the first floor were decorated
with cedar bows and holly and punches
of little red berries; and in the draw
ing room was a big Christmas tree
loaded with presents.
How can we ever thank Aunt Helen
enough for this beautiful Christmas
surprise2" said Margaret's mother,
coming into the hall to meet them.
Isn't she good? Are there presents
for all the party on the tree?'' asked
Margaret.
Yes, presents for all. Now come out
to breakfast" replied Mrs. Graham. and
led the way to the long dining room at
the end of the hall.
And when they went into the dining
room there was the greatest surprise
of all.
e"Oh. oh. the party is here nowl The
party is here for breakfast cried Mar
garet "Oh, how beautiful you all
lookr'
There were twelve children dressed
in costume and six grown people
dressed as children; and. oh. they were
the funniest of ALL Everyone laughed
to see them
Aunt Helen wore a blue sack apron.
and her hair was curled and tied with
pink ribbons on each side
Il can think just how You looked
when you were little girl, said Mar
garet, addressing her.
What do you think CT Debby?" ask
ed Aunt Helen.
Mrs. Deborah Madison tripped for
ward in a little white muslin dress.
founced to the waist. She wore a blue
sash with large bow, and her white
hair hung in long curls and was bound
with a blr1a ribbon