The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-30
LOVE EVER FINDS A WAY
Pretty Romance the O1lmina-
ton of Christmas Party.
FATHER HAS FORGIVEN
Young Swain Dons the Disguise OF
Santa Claus and Elopes With
HIS Lady Love = A Hearty
Welcome Awaits Them.

A very pretty little love romance was
the elimination of Christmas tree
and festival In a happy home down
Homestake gulch last Sunday night. 1t
goes to show to what extremes desper-
ate love will go to accomplish its ends.
In the house of Mcdonald was a
charming lass Of II summers. She was
the light of the whole gulch. Half a
mile away lived Malcolm, the only son
of John and Lydia Mercer. He lis q
few months better than 81 years. The
parents Of the girl have been much
concerned of late over their daugh-
ter's evident love of the young man.
Their only objection to the course
things were taking was the age of the
man. He was regarded as a good, in
dustrious young man, but Of course
he must live a few more years and
learn more of the world before being
eligible for the matrimonial handicap
The girl thought he was about right
in every respect. All went pretty well
up to the day on which the McDon-
aids were to celebrate the great day
with a tree and Santa Claus for the
younger members of the family. Nal
,olrn, it was understood, was not to
De one of the party. for the old folks
had objected SO strenuously that the
girl consented to omit his name from
the list of invited guests. But that
part of the little intrigue was easy.
She saw her lover the day before
Christmas, and then they fixed UP the
plot which terminated in the great sur
prise for the old folks.
The head of the house had spoken
f,,;~ ,,,l,r Nv y, lie,
friend was to represent Santa Claus.
1t was the plan for him to drive up
to the house in a cutter. carry the pres
ents into the house and deposit them
at the base of the tree; then he was
to disappear, The Young man and his
fiance made the best of this plan. He
was well acquainted with the man
who was to assume the role of Santa,
so it required but little persuasion
to win out. The young lover would
play Santa.
Promptly at the hour agreed upon
old Santa and his sleigh came ringing
and jingling up to the door of the
mountain home. The bundles Were hur-
ried into the house and Santa soon
disappeared. 1t was fun for the child
rem and the old folks wore Christmas
smiles until it occurred to them that
! their daughter was slow to put in an
appearance. Then they looked around
and very soon came to the conclu-
sion. that all was not as well as they
desired.
While the little children Jumped and
shouted with glee the old man hasten
ed over to his friends house to in
quire about thing or two. 1t all
dawned in due time. It was found that
Santa had played the part of the vii
lain
8 The father came to town yesterday
and received word that his daughter
and young Mercer had taken the
train for st, Paul 1t was a hard
blow, but the loving father soon
reached a conclusion, and he telegraph
ed to st. Paul. His brother lives there
. and to him the word was sent
seAs soon as my daughter and her
husband arrive in St. Paul. you will
please furnish them with the neces-
sary money to return to Butte?" This
is the greeting the young couple will
receive. 1t is proof of the forgiveness
Of the father.
Mr.. Mcdonald said yesterday to a
friend he was smoking with: "Why.
IL / had thought for a minute that
they were in earnest when they asked
me about marrying, would have said
YES But I thought 1t was one of
those little school boy romanees and
really didn't pay much attention to
it. OF course I'll forgive and forget
Why she's the only daughter I've got
and I'd be a hard-hearted old duffer
If I were to throw her over now. Oh,
no, she's still my girl, and If the young
man does his duty he will win my best
regards"