Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-12-19

LuJe as she 1Ound Cnem 10 De, CnlS
day before Christmas. Its dreadful"
she thought, as she searched the bare
cupboard. They're jest %starvin'." A
moment later she was saying private
ly to her husband: Sam, you go
home and get a loaf of bread and
some of that tea. Then you get a pat
of butter and a little ham and hurry
right back with it. They're all starv-
in, sure's In born. l guess that's
what ails Mis- barrow. Now you
hurry"
"Yes, Hannah"
The old mare seemed to realize
that she was on an errand of mercy,
and actually quickened her pace.
1t was not long before Mrs. OAR
row had her toast and tea, and the
children were enjoying what to them
was a bountiful feast. 1t was dark
when Mr.. and Mrs. Bennett left for
home. AS they were riding along,
Mrs. Bennett said:
SAM"
Yes, Hannah"
Them children have hung up their
stockin's."
AoF IhCN AOo1 1GikO 1hS
But, Sam, there won't be any
thing in EN-. They think there's a
Sanity Claus"
Il wish there was" sighed her hus-
band.
"But there amt" answered prac-
teal Mrs. Bennett, land there won't
be one thing in them stockin's, unless
it's holes. Mis- barrow cried about
it. It's too bad"
There was silence for a moment,
then Mrs. Bennett continued:
Sam, there must be something
put in 'em."
How can they, Hannah?"
"Well 1 guess there can. You 60
down to the store and get something.
I guess we can spare a little"
"T've got" Samuel interrupted,
and then he paused, almost afraid to
tell the rest. He had always been a
bit afraid of his wife.
well, what have you got?"
Fifty cents, Hannah. I kind O
saved it up, along, to buy you "a
Christmas present, but
81 don't van no present. That'1l
buy some candy and a few trinkets
for them children. Then, while you're
gone to the store, I'll pop some corn,
and there's some red apples. You can
go over and fill them stockings"
"Jest like Sanity Claus" said the
old man, delighted. The thought
warmed his kind old heart anew, and
the Christmas spirit within him be-
gan to revive. That evening, tremu-
lous with joy, he filed the little
stockings that hung in a row in the
bare kitchen of the barrow house,
left a whole pumpkin pie in the cup
board, and went home, leaving a
promise to come again in the morning
and see how the mother and children
were getting along. Mrs. barrow was
much better. She said she thought
she would be able to get up in the
morning.
Christmas morning, as soon as they
had had their breakfast, Mr.. and Mrs.
Bennett again drove over to the OAR
rows. They found the mother sit
ting up, happy with her children over
their humble gifts. They had been
sure that Santa Claus would bring
them something, and he had not be-
trayed their childish confidence.
ST declare" said Samuel Bennett,
when he and his wife were again in
the cutter, on their way home, sit
seems kind o Christmasy, after ALL"
81 don't know but it does" admit
ted Hannah. 1--WE kind o. made up
my mind we amt the worst off ever
was, after ALL"
She was learning the true lesson
of Christmas time-that it is doing
for "the least of these" that gives the
deepest joy. But she was still to
find the fuller happiness of that
Christmas day.
"Land!" she exclaimed, as they
neared the house. There's the ex-
pressman in front of our gate. What
can he want?'
81 don't know replied Samuel. 1T
can't be anything for u.s."
But it was.
Il brought your package" called
the expressman, "only it's a box"
The mysterious box was soon car
ried into the house and opened. It
was generous in size, and as the coz
er came of it was found to be well
filled