Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-24

rooted to the spot. Surely this was
Santa Claus! Wasn't there the same
SNOWY white hair and beard, and the
same long. red robe worn by Santa in
the window down town? He rushed up
the steps, and Selling the old gentle
mans robe, he cried: why, did find
you, didn'tI2 Won't mamma be glad!"
The gentleman looked down ut the lit
tie fellow in amazement. why, whom
have We here?" I'm Wrinkle, sir. and
I've been looking everywhere for you,
Santa Clause. cause mamma said you
couldn't find us. and 1 Just had to try
to find you, cause I know you would
feel bad If you missed any little boy.
Wouldn't you? You are Santa Clause,
amt you?" He drew Wrinkle into the
hall and called Anna" and in came
Wrinkles young lady. why, papa,
who is this?" That's what I'm try
ing to find out; he seems to think am
Santa Claus. Who are you. my dear.
and where did you come from?" MY
name is Bernard NJ. Cumberland the
young Indy saw strange look creep
into her fathers face-"and came out
to try TO find Santa Claus; I want q
drum, and some toy soldiers, and a new
dress for mamma; she don't wear any
thing but black. but I tell her she is
pretty enough to wear anything, and
when I'm a man, 1 shall buy her the
this" lingering the red dressing gown
very tenderly. "Are you Santa Claus
daughter" he asked of the young lady
Il guess am" she answered smiling
iy. but tell us, dear, where do you
live? Mamma will be anxious about
her little man." yes, I do want to
go nome to my mamma, but you told
me Santa Claus lived way UP town, and
so l followed you. He is Santa Claus,
amt he?" II guess SO. dear" and then
she left the room to return again pres
emily with tray full Of cakes and some
large oranges. but Wrinkle couldn't eat
thing. The old gentleman looked
long and earnestly at the little
stranger, while strange feelings filled
ms heart. Il want to go home to
mamma always battle her head
when 1t aches" Where is your papa,
dear?" The young lady asked the ques-
ton, for the gentleman seemed unable
to say much. ooh. papa died ever so
long ago. when I was tiny baby, and
I'm most five. I guess 1t Is years and
years ago. You see" he went on, ''if
only mad a grandpa, 1t wouldn't be SO
bad; the boy upstairs has a grandpa: I
guess he is most as old as you are, but
he don't wear nice red gowns like this.
] wish Santa would find my grandpa.
once, j asked mamma about It. but she
only cried. Please, can't I go home
now?" Eyes, dear, will take you
home" said the old gentleman He said
something to the young lady, and she
again left the room, and when she re-
turned she was all dressed to go ont.
Come, father" she said, and before
Wrinkle knew what he was about, he
was lifted into nice warm carriage
and being driven homewards. During
the ride the three were very quiet. The
old mans thoughts We're very busy. Ten
years ago his oldest daughter had mar
ried against his wish, and since then
her life had been n sealed book to him.
He had only Just returned from Flu
rope, and knew not whether his long
lost daughter lived or not. 1t remained
for little child's hand to unlock the
doors of his heart. The young woman
was thankful for tine prospect OF meet
ing the dear sister whom she lust cnuld
remember. Wrinkle was too sleepy to
talk; but ut last the carriage paused.
and the cnachman assisted them to
ahght. Then, some one rushed out and
caught sleepy little Wrinkle in her arms.
saying ooh. my darling baby. where
have YOU been? I thought you were
LOST" mo: Louise-daughtcr- has
only found grandpa" And then such a
hugging and crying and laughing you
never saw. The staid old coachman
was scandalized. At last, they were all
in the little room, and when Wrinkle had
been tucked up in his tiny crib. the
three older ones had n long talk Winikic
was too happy to sleep. Just think of
it! there hung his stockings. but. better
than all. there sat his really and truly
grandpa: and Just then the chime bells
right across the way rang out Peace
on earth, goodwill to men," and to
their music Wrinkle closed his happy lit
tie eyes.
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