The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-12-26
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

more thankful, because, as strangers to
you, we had no right to expect these man
ifestations of your Christmas generosity.
We can only hope that this day may bring
joy and peace to you and your children.
With great respect, yours most truly,
VIM. HARPER.
"No. 80 Blank street, in the rear.
IF ever there was surprised individual
it was Mr.. Sommers. ''There must be
some mistake he said to himself, "as L
don't know of any such family, and what
is more | never sent them any gifts, and
what can the letter mean when it says you
and your children 2 Well, I've had
good many riddles to solve in my time, but
this beats them all. It's hardly possible
that Tupple should thus dispose of my gifts
to his children-send them to strangers in
my name. Anyhow, L have to look into
this thing" and as it was now on toward
9 O. clock he started out. "Let' s see, -
he said, ono 80 Blank street, in the rear.
Oh. YES, know where it is.
In a short while Mr. Sommers Was on
Blank street, and walking up the court he
saw two girls, each with fine doll and as
CHEEKY as could be, standing close to the
window. He passed as if he was not
noticing anything, but the children, to
show their great joy, held up the dolls so
that he could see them, as much as to say
'sSee what Kris Kringle has brought us. y
When he had passed out of the court he
said "By jove, they are the identical
dolls''-for one had blue bodice and a
yellow skirt and the other red skirt and
white bodice-''but | give it up; 1t all
Greek to me, he added.
Once out upon the main street, Mr..
Sommers took car. bought an exchange
and was soon landed at the pleasant home
of his friend Tupple, where he received
such cordial Christmas greeting that he
almost forgot about the dolls and toys.
But after while, as the children, with
great glee, piloted him around the Christ
mas tree and pointed out its charms he be-
gan slyly to look for the dolls which he had
sent. Presently Jennie, the older girl,
showed him beautiful French doll that
would roll its eyes and say, MAMA ev-
cry time it was pinched, and she said how
her good mama had bought it, and then
Mollie insisted on showing her doll, and so
the moments flew quickly by and Sommers
was radiant with pleasure but full of mis-
givings.
When an opportunity offered to edge in
a word Mrs Tupple, with a pleasant smile,
remarked "Mr. Sommers, we have re-
ceived Christmas present from an I'M
known giver of-guess what-three pairs
of children's stockings. They were left
here last night--duly addressed to the
right name and number, and we couldn'
understand what was meant. Harry said
it must be joke of yours because he noted
on the tag your private mark. We had
hearty laugh over the matter, and just for
fun filled the stockings with ginger cakes
and suspended them from the mantel-
one for you, one for Harry and one for
me-
Sommers was for protesting, but how
could he? There was his private mark
tS,' which he had made, and he was
more dumfounded than ever Finally he
thought an explanation in order, and so
when they had seated themselves with Mr..
Sommers in an easy chair where he could
get Whit now and then of turkey roast
ing somewhere he told how he had gone
to a department store, and how he had
purchased dolls and other things for Mrs.
Tupple's children. And then he drew out
the letter and read it to the family, where
at they were as much surprised as he At
ter bordering for moment Mrs Tupple
said:
'NIrs. Harper, Mrs. Harper, why she
is our washerwoman. How singular; and
very worthy woman she is We had in
tended sending something to her children,
but somehow or other in the hustle and
worry of preparation for the holidays they
were overlooked. However, Mr. Som
mers, want to say this: You have I'M
consciously acted the Kris Kringle to very
deserving children, an act which none of
us can regret, and our children are the
more grateful that the gifts have gone
astray"
Mr.. Tupple entirely agreed with his
wife, because, as he said: 'tMr Harper
has been out of work and is especially wor-
thy of your benefcence. y
Under this course of treatment Mr.
Sommers really began to feel joyful, and
Christmas seemed like it did when he was
lad. He was not sorry that the gifts had
gone to the Harper children, and when
dinner was announced his round face was
full of sunshine How he did stow away
the turkey and the other good things, and
when at last the mince pie was brought on
he couldn't help remarking: "Why, Tup,
my boy, that pie is just like what mother
used to make, and you'll excuse me for
asking for second piece.
There was one mystery left, and that
was the stockings. As Sommers and Tup-
pie sat smoking their after dinner Havanas,
Mrs. Tupple came in and said she had
Honcluded that IT. would he the wisest nlan