Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-12-21

VIII, Sne Whispered HumDlyt anu Il
VIII try TO deserve His love, Indeed
VIII. Even" she added, II have TO
forgive the Maharaneel" could hard
ly repress a smile at the vehemence
with which the last words were spoken,
but felt that she was strong enough to
control every emotion II she 80 desired
and would become a valiant defender
OF the Gath II ever she could be brought
TO knowledge of the truth.
/ was about TO leave when | remem-
| bered the Christmas card Lhad brought,
| She was as pleased as child and in
| sisted upon full explanation Of the
| picture. II represented Santa Claus,
with his sack OF fits upon his shout
| der. l told her he was taking presents
| to the children and remembering my
| party gave her d vivid description OF
| the festivities We expected TO enjoy.
was now quite anxious to return
home, knowing how many preparations
l had TO make before my guests ar
rived, and did not realize for moment
| the impression my remarks were maxi
ing upon her untutored mind,
And may really keep this pictureY
she asked, her eyes beaming with pleas
| sure.
Certainly, Jumeera," replied; II
| brought II for you" She bowed herself
| to the ground. and catching hold Of my
skirt kissed It passlonately, her slender
| form convulsed with sobs. feared the
excitement had proved too great for
| her, and promising to return In few
! days to see her again, bidding her
| goodbye, hurried back to Miss Cook,
who was impatiently awaiting my re-
| turn.
Our party was q great success. We
entertained about seyenty.iive little
guests. children Of the American and
English families at Serangpore This
was to be a "home Christmas and to
increase the resemblance we made q
log fire In the CRATE to the huge delight
OF the little ones who never tired
watching the sparks fly up the CHM
ney,
At one end of the room we arranged
a letter-box for Santa Claus, and each
child sent note, informing him OF his
or her particular desires with regard
to Christmas presents, We older ones
were kept busy for some time writing
these epIstes and spelling words for
those who were old enough to write
their own. Finally they were all nm
ished, but only just in time, for Just as
the last one was being deposited In the
box postman, covered with snow, sent
direct from Santa Claus, came to col
| lect them
Supper was then served In the dining
| room, and upon returning to the parlor
| we found In the middle OF the iloor an
immense Christmas tree, beautifully
decorated, and ablaze with light, IL
w2s an event never to be forgotten Dy
| the youngsters, who danced around the
tree with joyous shouts
But the great event OF the evening
was yet to come, for my husband,
dressed to impersonate Santa Claus, en-
tered the room, staggering under the
weight OF his sack Of presents, con-
| tanning Just the article most desired by
| each child
Some OF the smaller ones were little
| frightened at first but soon made
| friends with him and crowded round In
| eager expectation. When all the gifts
| had been distributed, he sat down while
| they clambered upon his knees, and
| piled him with the extraordinary ques-
| lions that only infant minds can con-
| lure up, while we children of larger
| growth laughed and enjoyed the fun
| as much as the youngest, In their
! childish innocence they kissed him, and
thanked him for their toys, telling him
about their little friends and what
they wanted for Christmas, Finally, he
| said: 1T was his very busiest night,
so he must leave Them" and following
| him out on to the veranda. they watch
| ed him mount his little carriage
| drawn by two white shetland ponies,
| and disappear In the distance, AS long
| as his vehicle was In sight he was fol-
| lowed by gleeful shouts, and good-byes
| accompanied by most cordial invita-
| lions to come back next Christmas, and
| see them again.
] This brought our festivities 10 a
| close, and tired, and happy, the little
ones returned to their homes, to live
| over again In dreams the wonderful
| things they had seen and heard. While
| my husband and | sat by the shoulder
| ing embers laughing and talking eacn
| feeling that to thoroughly enjoy Christ
mas one must make others happy.
l related to him my visit to the pal
| ace and meeting with Jumeera. He was
deeply interested In the young girl, and
said l ought certainly to see her again.
| Suddenly remembered that, owing TO
my visit, I had omitted to take over
| to the meeting house some presents
| that he had purchased for his singers.
| / was very sorry as we had intended
| to surprise them when they took their
| places the following morning. We were
| both too happy, however, to worry over
anything so rising and kissing me he
| said cheerily: Never mind, little wo-
man, put them into my sack and Santa
| Claus will take another trip" Laughing,
ttnl
| ing his sack over his shoulder he strobe
| out into the darkness, lighting his path
| by a lantern, which he carried In his
hand. Shouting after him babe him
hurry back, little thinking Of the dan
ger in store for my loved one before
| | should see his dear face again.
After my departure, Jumeera. mus
ing over the strange story l had told
| her was seized with passionate de-
sire 10 see this great Being who was
| watching over her with such loving
| care. She knew that we, unlike the
Hindoos worship one God only. and to
her excited imagination, the story Of
the birth of Jesus, and the account /
gave Of Santa Claus, and his nocturnal
| VISIT were part of the same story.
What she thought could be more nat
ural, and In keeping with his kind and
| gracious character, than his return to
earth on the anniversary Of his birth
night bringing gifts to his children?
In that case he would certainly visit
his temple, and by going there she
would possibly have the opportunity OF
seeing him and proving for her own sat
isfactlon II what / had said was true |
During our conversation had pointed
out the splre OF our meeting house |
and by keeping that in view she
thought she should be able to find the !
place, ignorant as she was Of the city. |
The idea no sooner presented itself
to her mind, than she deter
mined upon Its execution, and In |
pursuance Of this resolve, silently GID |
ed behind the bushes and, with a ma
tive Indians cunning set fire to part OF |
the cactus hedge, and later torn and |
bleeding she crept through the aper-
ture. and made her way 20 the chapel. !
Hour after hour she waited for some |
sign OF his coming The door OF the |
meeting house was securely locked. but |
erouchng behind tree she patiently |
fingered,