The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

and little boy of four or i've. From the mantle piece, two small stockingl hung before the fire. He gazed intently for a moment on the happy and peaceful faces of the children: then softly closed the shutters. He would not disturb them whatever he did. He crept upon th{ porch. and tried the front door. It wa1 locked and he was glad. The key was iT his hand in a second and a second latei was fitting itself to the lock. It turned and he naiselessiy pushed the door and entered the hall. He saw by the diH light of a lamp on the table in the centeI of the hall that 1t also served as a dining room. Two or three plain chairs. a small table and an inexpensive sideboard wers the furnishings of the room. He heard voices in a room at the end of the hal and he thought he heard a woman sohI ping. His curiosity was aroused. Af was almost certain he had heard some onS crying, With stealth. he advanced, thf uncarpeted floor creaking beneath hin weight. He got down on his hands and knees. Slowly and cautiously he crep1 to the door and looked through the key hole. A woman sat in a chair by thu fire talking between sobs to a man eviI dently her husband, who sat by her. hi1 face buried in his hands.
 "Yes" he heard the man groan with uot raising his head from his hands. ''l was on my way home to get you to 9d with me. I knew I couldn't buy tht baby carriage and the dolls for Nen and the little Are engine for Frank as well Ai you and knew that you knew what theS wanted Santa Clause to bring thern. stopped for a moment on the corner and I felt twitch at my trousers pocket. slapped my hand to my pocket and nn3 pocketbook, with my months wages every cent I had-was gone. man whose face saw only for an instant val edging away through the crowd, but hf was too fast for me and was gone almosI before I could realize what had happenI ed"
 "It is hard enough on us to lose thf money" sobbed the woman." but 1t is thf disappointment to Nell and Frank thal hurts me. I have written all the letter. that they have sent up the chimney and IT can't tell them that Santa Clau9 forgot them."
 "of course, we can't buy the toys with out the money" said the man, as nj raised his troubled countenance.
 '"rhe criber had heard enough-nad seer enough.
 A big lump rose in his throat as h' thought of the sleeping children with theiI faces so full of expectation of ChristTnaa A moisture that was something entrel1 foreign to his eyes dimmed them TOT moment.
 Another minute and the burglar wal through the door and on the sideWaiK His mind was framed. From the brick that formed the border of the flower bede he took one and reached in his pocket fol some twine. From his inside coat pocketl he drew the wallet that had been ther not more than three hours and tied 1t wit1 the brick.
 He drew his arm back for good snotI Crash! went a pane of glass in the VIII dow and a brick smashed into the oool at the other end of the room.
 When the brick hit the wall. ma was running with all speed down tn street
 Startled, the man and woman tunpeI from their seats and the man ran to tnI door. The woman hurriedly picked up tnI missile. Was she dreaming? Mo- 1t WaI real. Here was pocketbook ana semed full of money.
 The man returned into the house. Ther had been no one in sight.
 She was lying prostrate on the hoor'
 Good Godv' he cried. what has nay pened." DS|
 He ran to her and bent over her. M she was breathing. She had fainted. Pressed to her lips was the pocketbooE It was his pocketbook. He examined hurriedly All of his money was thereI but thirty cents.