The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-12-23
VOL. XXXV.--NO. 9.

laws of parental affection, they were en-
titled, but which cruel tyrant withheld.
As they sat at the window looking with
wistful eyes at the happy children passing
by, they indeed felt forlorn, and for long
time not a word escaped them Willie,
who was almost too young to realize fully
the bad condition of affairs, amused him
self by pressing the tip of his nose against
the cold window glass, so that, from the
outside, it looked as though the end of
his nose had become fattened.
Presently Esthers pretty oval face
beamed with a smile, as though happy
thought had just lodged in her brain, and,
calling Annie and Willie, she confded to
them a great secret, which wreathed their
faces into smiles. She said ''Let' play
Kris Kringle ourselves; it will be awful
jolly, and we can have lots of fun"
''But how p chimed in Annie. "There
are no other children in our house, and
we haven t got any candies or toys, any
way
THAT don't matter, said Esther.
Mama will give us a little money, and
we can buy some candies and oranges and
things. y And then she let her sister and
brother into the secret ''Now cross your
breath, that you won tell anybody" she
said, and they solemnly crossed their
breath
Mrs. Harmon was only too glad to fur
nish Esther and Annie with little change,
and permitted them to go out and make
few purchases, while Willie remained in
doors They purchased oranges and candy
toys and few ether triaes, as their means
would not permit them to buy very extern
siyely, and they were soon home again, and
quietly hid the articles in closet, there to
await the proper time to be brought forth
That evening Mr. Hartman brought
headache home with him. He couldn't
help noticing that his children appeared to
be in excellent humor, and he couldn't un-
derstand what was meant when he over
heard Esther quietly saying to Willie:
Now mind, cross your breath, and the
little chap crossed his breath again. 1t
was fortunate that Mr.. Harmon had a
headache, for it sent him too bed early,
even before the children What lucky
stroke it was that he had eaten to much
lobster salad. 1t seemed to be part Of the
plan. He had not been gone long before
the children started TO work, and that ne
cessitated letting Mrs. Harmon into the
secret. She, too, was called upon to cross
her breath, which was done in the childish
way of placing the index finger of the right
hand across the closed mouth, thus signi-
flying, Il viii never tell, and Willie even
made her add, deed and double.
Mrs. Harmon's assistance was necessary
because the children wanted her to get one
Of Mr.. Harmon long stockings, such as
he wore in the winter season. They filed
the stocking with oranges and candy toys
and apples. Ii was a great self sacrifice.
Then they hung it where their papa would
see it in the morning, and, on It they
pinned card which said "a merry
Christmas to papa-from Esther and Willie
and Annie. Next, alongside of the stock
ing were hung three empty stockings with
the names Of the children, and having fin
ished their task they went to bed
A good night $ rest entirely relieved Mr.
Harmon headache, and he felt quite
ehirpy as he arose early that Christmas
morning 1t was lovely morning, and
the neighboring church bells were already
pealing a glad anthem. Cropping his way,
through the dark sitting room, he opened~
the windows to let in the daylight. ana
turning about his eyes rested on the stock
ings hanging by the old fireplace. For
moment he could not comprehend what
was meant, but curiosity getting the better
Of him, be went up to the stockings and
saw that one was full of good things while
three were empty. Then it dawned upon
him that it was Christmas morning, and
seeing that the full stocking was for himself
he stood riveted to the spot as though held
there by invisible chains Then the truth
flashed upon his mind, and in memory he
was carried back TO childhood days. He
saw the inscription felt the other
stockings, they were empty. He trembl-
ed, and for the first time in long, long
years a tear triekled down his cheek 1t
was the first drop to wear away the tough,
granite heart, and i; WASH many seconds
before he saw, as in glass, what hid
eous monster his three children had for
father His whole nature began to relax,
and without waiting for any breakfast he
seized his hat, put on his overcoat and
went out
The first toy and confectionery stores to
open that morning had lavish customer,
and the things were ordered to be sent to
his address as quickly as possible. Talk
about French doll and mixtures and
lied and dear knows what. There was
scurrying time toward the Harmon house
hat morning, and among the things to
arrive was plump turkey, while the last,
but not the least, was old Harmon. Not
The same old Harmon that entered there
he night before, but brand new Harmon
with heart as impreSsionable as wax and
nature as gentle as the oft quoted dew
If Heaven. Mr.. Harmon was completely
broken up He cried ike child. Mrs.
Harmon cried. The children cried-but
hey were all tears of joy. 1t was the
nappiest house within radius of million
niles. and that might take in some of the
smaller stars. It was the grandest Christ
mas ever heard tell of, and Mr.. Harmon
reading somewhere, "A little
,hild shall lead them, and there came to
mind story about theaping Goals of FIRE. :
He insisted on the children telling him over
md over again how they had managed to
capture such wild animal, and Willie
would only consent after the happiest man
n the world had crossed his breath.
To not few the Plain of Ease is but a
short and narrow valley, and the hills of
Difficulty abound to such an extent that it
S rare experience to ascend the Delec-
able Mountains. Thrice blessed are those
who, knowing well the
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