Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-12-21

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 little ham and hurry
right back with it. They're all starv-
in, sure's I'm born. I guess that's
what ails Mis- barrow. Now you
hurry
Eyes, Hannah
/ The old mare seemed to realize
that she was on an errand of mercy,
and actually quickened her pace.
It 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!"
Eyes, Hannah
Them children have hung up their
stockin's."
"Have they? Poor little things!"
"But, Sam, there won't be any
thing in 'em. They think there's a
Sanity Claus"
81 wish there was" sighed her hus-
band.
"But there ain't," answered prac-
teal Mrs. Bennett, land there won't
be one thing in them stocllin's, unless
it's holes. Mis- barrow cried about
it. It's too bad"
There was silence for moment,
then Mrs. Bennett continued:
"Sam, there must be something
put in EN-
Glow can they, Hannah?''
'Wen, 1 guess there can. You go
down to the store and get something.
I guess we can spare a little.''
J Eve 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 want no present. That'n
buy some candy and a few trinkets
for them children. Then, while you're
gone to the store, I'll pop some corn,
anu O1AC1C SOLlC Gu Ou Cdu
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-
Ious with joy, he filled 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.
81 declare" said Samuel Bennett
when he and his wife were again in
G41S CQlGSIs Oh way hOu1Ss II
seems kind O. Christmasy, after all
81 don't know but it does,' admit.
ted Hannah. Eve kind O. made uE
my mind we amt the worst off ever
was, after all.''
She was learning the true lessor
of Christmas time-that it is doing
for 1.-The least of these" that gives the
deepest joy. But. she was still te
find the fuller happiness Of thai
Christmas day.
''Land!" she exclaimed, as they
neared the house. There's the ex
pressman in front of our gate. VIVA
can he want ?''
ST don't know" replied Samuel. ST
can't be anything for u.s.
But it was.
81 brought your package" called
the expressman, s:.only it's a box
The mysterious box was soon car
ried into the house and opened. I
was generous in size, and as the GOV
er came off it was found to be wei
filed.