Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-12-27
Winters varying In age al the way
four to twelve years.


from four to twelve years.
Il never saw anything so lovely IN
all my life, papa the Oldest Winter
girl was saying az | pressed my nose
against the glass and peered IN through
the narrow strip between the window
sash and the easement.
There inside Of the room stood q
little Christmas tree upon a big box,
and upon the tree aud all around the
| foot Of it stood dozens Of beautiful
| Christmas gifts. Such a Christmas
| tree you never saw! There were little
things in s.ieer-spoons, forks, after
dinner c9lGees and knives, and there
was a roc3 chair, also several little
f~ootstools a.. little articles of bric-a-
brac all NJ, covered with cheap
chintz. And there were toys. Oh. 50
maay toys! And upon the table at the
side Of tie tree stood the beet of wines
and Christmas fruits.
'HOw sweet Of you, Willf' Winters
| pretty wife said as she threw her arms
| around Lis neck and kissed him. How
did you EVER guess that | wanted all
those silver things for the tableg'
And did any one ever see such a
s~on-inlawT' cried the old lady as her
| eyes fell upon the table with the wine
and fruits.
II have got the coolest papa in the
world yelled the six year old, while
the others chimed in 'Yeth" as they
made a dive for the toys.
ri could sit II this rocking chair for
a week. murmured Winters wife,
rocking herself back and forth with
her foot on the gayiy covered footstool.
IF it wasn't that l felt as if l wanted
to get sup and kiss you again." she
said to Winter for the twentieth time
as she looked around.
Now go t. bed, all of you" cried
Winter. and something extra for the
one who starts first Don't let me
hear a word from you again until to-
morrow morning at breakfast, and
then wen have Christmas all day"
He hustled them out of the room, and
when | tapped on the door there was
no n left downstairs to open it but
he.
Well, what are you going to do
about it?' | asked, stepping into the
room and pointing to all the Christmas
things.
Il don't know said he, dropping
down by the table and hiding his face
in his hands. Il don't know, | am sure.
1t will kill her If you tell her."
What made you take them?" |
asked.
Because he's got so much he doesn't
know what to do with it" said Winter.
$50 l took them all easy like and
thought it would blow over in a few
days. You see, we have so many ba-
bies in our family" he added. that
there wasn't much left this year for
Christmas, and the children have been
talking about it every day for the last
three months. 1t broke my heart to
think I'd have to disappoint them, so |
did the best l could for them
You watched the house all night for
the colonel, did your
Yes. except for about an hour; long
enough to slip over here with an arm
full"
Web, what are you going to do
about itY9
God knows; l don't" be repeated.
1T viii kill her If yous tell her"
DO you want me to arrest you to
night or will you wait until mornings"
"Christmas day.' he exclaimed,
breaking down and beginning to cry
like a baby. II know I'm a wretch.
Only kill me-do anything; bat don't
tell her"
1t might have been that the spirit of
Christmas was in the air. Perhaps
the thought of those six little children
and that sweet faced Wife had a
stronger influence than they should
have had over a detectives heart But
l said to him. well, bundle up the
things and come along with me, and
Well see what we can do about it,"
We looked like two Santa Clauses
ourselves as we slipped along the
streets, choosing bylanes and cross
paths to the Payne residence.
We got into the triangular lawn by u
rear path and stole softly up to the
house. There was the dining room
brilliantly lighted and in the middle
stood a tree all bare and waiting for
gifts. just as | told the colonel to ar
range it.
There was no one in the ROOM. and
after | bad pried up the sash we stole
in together. There was only just time
to drop our packages OF the floor at the
foot of the tree and to rush away again
before the c~oionels daughter came in.
"Oh. papa she cried. here are
some presents for u.s."
But | heard 10 more just then, for /
was busy helping poor Winter get
away. An hour later | rang the
colonel's front door bell. He opened
the door himself.
Come right in" said he. Il guess
you are a wizard tonight. Just after
we got the Christmas tree set up and
while we were upstairs getting L
presents together to hang on the tree
fhp thief me hack and loft tha Christ