Willmar tribune., 1900-12-19
PIE dec lara: ton o7 faith.

OnOefneatn the damp outer: CLOAK
the child's clothes were dry and
warm, and, having put the cloak. over
chair to dry, Martha wrapped her
in a,heavy shawl and sat holding her
and gently rubbing her chubby feet,
watching the blue eyes slowly closing
in sleep and wondering to whom she
belonged and if the child's account of
her mishap were really the true ex-
planation of it.. !. E. 5E@. -. :
Wont mamma come soon to get
me? I want to go to my grandpa S
house," murmured the little girl,
drowsily, and just then there came
clamorous jingle of sleighbells and
loud rap, upon the outer door Almost
simultaneously. with the knocking
upon the door it was opened and the
snow-covered form of man stood be-
fore Martha Dean for single in
slant; then, turning hastily, he shout
ed to some one outside:
"She is found! She is here!" and
fastened out.
Then there entered into that plain
little kitchen a company of people
Cuc lIhc VI WHICH IL udu never COu-
tained before.
First tall, beautiful lady, fur-clad
from top to toe; then a gentleman,
also stately and fur-clad, and behind
them came bustling and painting an
elderly gentleman, neither tall nor
handsome, but, like the others in re-
| gard to outer wraps, he was as furry
as any Santa Claus, and very like that
mysterious old parsonage in many
other respects.
The lady's lips were quivering and
she seemed speechless with joyful
emotion, and the tall gentleman
stopped and lifted the child up to
her with reassuring words, as if to let
her see that her darling was un-
harmed. AS for the elderly gentle
man, his sharp, restless eyes swept
the room and it's contents in trice.
mo fire, ma'am, such night as
this? Why, why, pray? It's won
der my little granddaughter didn't
finish freezing after she got in here"
"Oh, no, father, the lady has her
we'll wrapped up, and her wet things
all removed" said his daughter, for
she noted the flush that rose to the
cheek of Martha Dean.
| "Yes, and it was perhaps better
| that she was not taken in by a hot
fire when so near freezing," said the
younger gentleman, who was evident
ly the father of the little girl. He
now turned to Martina Dean.
1--WE were driving from the station
to the home of my wife's parents,
madam, two miles beyond here, when
the horses became exc1ted by the
wind and storm and somehow man
aged to tip the sleigh so that little
Annie was thrown out, though all the
others stayed in. The horses were
unmanageable and ran, yet they kept
the road, and when they reached
home stopped. Of course, we re-
turned as soon as possible after get
ting control of the horses. This ex-
plains our intrusion upon you, and
no words can express our thankful
ness to you for your kindness toward
our poor little girl"
1T is nothing" replied Martha. 81
would be glad to do more. l will now
build a fire, so that you may get
warm and dry before going out into
the storm again."
"Needless trouble, madam; we are
not cold," quickly replied the old gen.
tleman. James and John are waiting
and we must go. Just tell me one
thing, madam. if you please, how
many little ones have you? 1 see sew
|eral pairs of peppers in yonder."
Martha Dean informed the old
gentleman as to the number of her
family, while busily engaged in Dress
ing the little girls feet in some shoes
and stockings belonging to her own
little Edith. while the child clung
tightly to her mothers neck.
1.-Two boys and two girls, the oldest
a girl of ~, the youngest girl of
four; Tommy and Johnny between" ;"
he repeated, as he turned to go. Il will
see you again tomorrow, madam;
goodnight and merry Christmas!"
Then, with the little Annie wrapped
until she made an enormous bundle,
the whole party took their departure.
"Our name is Lewis and fathers is
Ray; we will see you again; will call
tomorrow it you do not forbid me-"
were the lady's parting words. and
soon Martha Dean stood alone in her
little kitchen. the sound of the de-
parting sleighbells ringing in her
ears, her senses almost whirling
"He looked adzactly like Santa
| Claus!" declared little Edith.
but she didn't look like Mrs. San
ia, and he hasn't any little. girl" OBJ
! jected Tommy. ~ r.. -, =.
| Besides, he didn't leave thing for
anybody" dolefully supplemented
Johnny. *. =.
Mamma, what does it all mean ?" in.
quired Jennie, the serious minded one
for she with the other children had
slept until q few minutes before the
midnight visitor left the house..
Then Martha Dean told as briefly a
possible the story of little Annie's ad.
!. venture, meantime hurrying the chill.
dren again into bed, herself soon fol.
lowing them =$ :#<>
\ But it was long before she closed
her eyes in sleep, her mind was so full
!, Of the unexpected event which had
just taken place. I. S.=f*s s 5#s
While she was lighting her fire thu
next morning a large box was deliv
. cred at her door, followed q littlt
later by g load Of coal and sundrJ
other articles. . s.s s@.,8 1.5 81. III: