The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-12-08
SOCKS AND STOCKINGS.
Story Of How Santa Claus Finally Came.
organ

There would he norther before many
hours every one knew, It was so warm, but
folks In Texas us far as the weather is
concerned say sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof. The people 10 salado.
without anxious thought, rayeled In the
brightness and sunshine OF this Christmas
morning and enjoyed the balmy air. soft
as the breezes OF Italy, rhe peach trees
wheedled by the heat Of the long warm
spell had burst into pink blossoms aud
the buds OF many other trees were swell
ing. The doors OF Mrs. Hamiton's prettS
cottage stood wide open aud her two chill.
Gren were down updn the carpet rejoicing
over aud playing With their many Christ.
mas presents. Mrs. Hamilton was busy
in the adjoining dining room giving ditec.
tlcns about the Christmas dinner.
santa Claus didn't bring me nothln'."
said childish voice With suggestion of
teers. and a trembling OF pain in its tones
Looking IN the open doorway Mrs Ham.
iltou saw the little daughter Of very
poor neighhor who lived across the street
The child, With bare feet and shabby
clothing, was standing ia THE open door
way. Her hands were tucked behind. her
head dropped toward her breast, and her
Whole attitude was one OF hopelesness
and settled gloom The house, across the
street, The home Of this child and its
other Toor. uutidy occupants, was a kind
q an eyesore to the Whole neighborhool,
The Implanted, shabby rooms. the rock
chimney, built on the outside and partly
tallen down, the windows. whore broken
panes were replaced by rags, the yard
covered With horehound. aud the dllapi
| dated barb wire fence all proclaimed a
| ShlftleSsness ana poverty entirely in con.
| tast With the general air Of thrift and
! senttlity TO he seen IN all the adjoining
places. Not tree cast shadow in the
] a 4
old China tree was trying 70 send out a
| lev weakly sprouts from It's broken body
No hush or tower not even n moruing
glory vine a native of Texas soil ana a
creeper which no amount OF abuse Kills
gave to this place one touch OF The precious
name, home ~ this kind of shrine had
standing dressed n shabby lanE looking
calico fr0ck her little figure framed. pic
ure Ike in The doorway The pain md We.
pressing, proceSses ot poverty bod 9rooped
preston OF her face she stood soIrly
l9oking IN as 4 wandering why lhe lgle
abundance while She had absolutely moth,
Ing To enjoy pleasure through another
persons possessions IS not natural meta
dren reason about questions OF ipstuess
yrry carly in life,
%, Harry Hamilton, big, clustering, hapry
u reckon YOU didn hang up vour stock
ing said the boy sturdily
Yes ! aid answered Nellie white in
short forlorn accents
And you didn't get q single thlncl
NO ] didn't p"
Nellics indignation and disappointment
| We're too overwhelming for long sentences
| Harry was ooufounded He did not know
| how "a continue the investigation His
| faith in Santa Claus was unbonpded IL
mad never been shaken by one disoppont
mept Whenever be had hung MP MS stock
| ings they had always been filed. even
| when putting his curly head NJ the open
| Ing Of the blg IRE place In his mothers
| room he had asked for any special gift
| by the most unfnlllng certainty that wish
| had always been satisbed - he couldNnot
see what was the matter ~ Mrs White 3
| house across the way. aud to him It seemed
| have passed u unnouced Nellie was q