The Van Buren press., 1901-12-21

she thought, as she searched the bare
cupboard. They're jest starvin'." A
moment later she was saying private
ly to her husbands; "Sam, you go
home and get loaf of bread and
some of that tea. Then you get pat
of butter and a little ham and hurry
right back with it. They're all starv-
in, sures I'm born. l guess that's
what ails Mis- Darrow. 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. Dar-
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."
"Have they? Poor little things!'
"But, Sam, there won't be any
thing in 'em. They think there's q
Sanity Claus"
81 wish there was" sighed her hus-
band.
"But there amt" answered prac-
teal Mrs. Bennett, "and there won't
be one thing in them stockin's, unless
it's holes. Mis- Darrow cried about
1t. It's too bad"
There was silence for moment,
then Mrs. Bennett continued:
"Sam, there must be something
put in EN-"
"How can they, Hannah?"
swell, ! guess there can. You go
down to the store and get something.
| guess we can spare little"
"Ive got" Samuel interrupted,
and then he paused, almost afraid to,
tell the rest. He had always been a
bit afraid of his wife.
swell, what have you got?"
Fifty cents, Hannah, kind O.
saved II UP, along, to buy you IA
Christmas present, but"
~ don't want no present. That'll
buy some candy and few trinkets
for them children. Then, while you're
gone to the store, III pop some corn,
and there's some red apples. You can
60 over and I'll 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 filled the little
stockings that hung in row In the
bare kitchen Of the Darrow house,
left whole pumpkin pie in the cup.
board, and went home, leaving o
promise to come again in the morning
and see how the mother and children
were getting along Mrs, Darrow was
much better, She said she thought
she would be able to get up in the
morning.
Christmas morning, as soon us they
had had their breakfast, Mr.. and Mrs.
Bennett again drove over to the Dar-
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.
~ declare" said Samuel Bennett,
when he and his wife were ngnin In
the cutter, on their way home, ut
seems kind o. ChrIstmasy. after ALL"
II don't know but II does" admit.
ted Hannah. "lve 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 II IN doing
for "the least OF these" that gives the
deepest Joy. But she was still TO
find the fuller happiness OF that
Christmas day.
"Landl" she exclaimed, as they
neared the house. "There's the ex.
pressmnn In front Of our gate. What
can he want?"
II don't know" replied Samuel. 1T
cant be anything for u.s."
But " was.
II brought your package" called
che cxpressman, "only US q box"
The mysterious box was soon car
rIed into the house and opened. II
was generoua In slsc. and ~ the GOV.
er came on II was found " be well
Nltah