The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-12-29

fire place. Elizabeth was the oldest of
the children, and how her heart ached to
see them day by day growing thinner
and thinner, and at Christmas nothing
to eat and only piece of fire. While
the Christmas before their father was
living and they had a plenty.
"Mother will never tome, and | dess
it's most free clock, sighed Baby Belle,
almost ready to cry.
"She will be here by and by, Baby, SO
don't cry. That's good little girl, :"
and Elizabeth took the baby up to rock
her to sleep.
II wish we could have Christmas like
people that's got plenty" said Mary
sadly.
Lets write to Santa Claus. He may
come youknow," said gay little Pearl.
She always looked on the bright side Of
things, and as they all agreed she hunted
until she found a very dirty piece Of pa
per, and stub of pencil.
Nov, big sister, you tell us the story
of our brother, while Pearl writes the
letter; said Eugene. They had once had
a brother. and they liked for Elizabeth
to tell them about him as she often did.
"Well then, be very quiet, and don't
talk. When we were rich we lived in a
large brick house, and | had brother
named Tommy. The people loved and
honored my father then. My father
loved Tommy, but he did not under
stand him; for he had many queer no.
tions in his head, and he always longed
to be sailor. So one day after he was
grown he ran away, and he never came
back again. Mama said she thinks he
ran away to sea and got drowned. But
father was very, very angry, and de-
clared he should never come home again;
and he never did. That's all, and it's
time you children were off to bed. y
And in half an hour the mother (who
had come in while she was telling the
story and Elizabeth got the children to
bed.
Mother, some one Knocked said
Elizabeth, with her heart almost in her
mouth. Her mother opened the door,
and there stood a tall man with a fur
coat on.
Madame, could you tell me where
the Johnsons liver" the man, asked.
They live here, sir, do you want to
see me-"
IL am very tired mann. Would you
let me sleep here tonight" She told
him that they did not have much; but
he was welcome to what she did have.
So he slept on rug in front of the fire;
but while he was fumbling around in
the dark for drink, he found PEARLS
letter. This what it said:-
Dear Mr.. Santa Claus,
Please bring us something to eat,
and some clothes, and some fire. l try
to be good to my sister, Santa, so please
bring us what ask for.
Pearl johnson.
''Bless her dear little heart, she shall
have what she wants. The next morn
ing the children stared around them in
surprise. For there in the middle of
the room was Christmas Tree, laden
with presents, candies, nuts, and fruits.
And under the tree and on the table was
food and clothing of every kind. There
was warm fire in the CRATE, which
heated the room more than it ever had
been heated.
Santa Tause did tome" said Baby
Belle, jumping up and down and clap
ping her hands That he did, little
sister, and 50 did Brother Tommy y
said the stranger, picking her up
Mother, don't you know me, your lost
boyY" And in . minute she knew him.
Welcome home, Tommy, welcome
home"
The children always said this was the
happiest Christmas they had ever had.
Soon after, they moved into a hand
some house, and had everything nice.
EFFfE Via fowKi,
age Z years, 9Th grade.