The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-13

n
Christmas. A little girl named
Nelly sat on a small stool by the
hearth. her head buried In her
Ian From under her curls on one size
stuck out the feet of a middle-sized
doll, and on the hearth were the pieces
OF what had once been the pretty wax
head. The fireplace was stopped up
with an ornamental fire board Close
by was the register. The heat from
the furnace stirred the silk hanging
from the mantel shelf and moved the
little girls hair. She sat perfectly
stin.
A cheerful whistle was heard in the
hall and a small boy stamped in.
where's mom?' said he. why. Mel
lv. what's the matter7 Oh, you've
Nelly began to cry. and Bob. seeing
her shoulders shaking with sobs, ran
into the next room, crying: Mammal
mammal Come quickly Nelly's broken
Esmeralda and she's crying awfull''
Soon the broken Esmeralda, best be-
loved OF all dolls. and the heart-broken
Nelly were clasped in loving arms
and the sad story was told, A hand
organ in the street-a sudden jump
with Esmeralda in her arms-a rock
ing chair too near-"And now she's
dead and 1 haven't any Esmeralda."
But mamma COullOENtu mex anu Sehi1
she knew a way to make it right again.
ANY proper mother always knows a
way to make things right again, doesn't
sheD
Sitting there in the twilight, she told
them. as she had often told them be-
fore, the story OF the good Saint Nicho-
las and how, as Santa Claus, he makes
all children happy at Christmas time
Bob believed every word, but Nelly
whispered. with her face hidden, Julia
Durham saws there isn't any Santa
.Claus''-her voice sank lower-'it's only
papas and mammals and aunts ana
things. Is IL. mamma?"
Rob snorted: You don't have to be-
lieve Julia Durham. Papa says Santa
does come over the roofs in his sleigh,
with reindeer. wouldn't I like to see
him once2''
$50 should T." said Nelly. half con-
WINGED
Suppose you write him a letter"
said mamma. perhaps he would give
Esmeralda a new head and make her
as good as new"
'If only he would sighed Nelly.
Would he bring me sled il I asked
him?' queried Bob. and little Jack said,
''Wn he bwing me titled. too?''
But how can we ask him?' said
Nelly. we Qou see UNI
When I was little girl" said mann
ma, my mother told me that if 1 would
write a letter TO Santa and put it in
the fire It would fy right UP the chin
ney and Santa would know just what
1 wanted"
oh let's try it, Let's try it, shout
ed Nelly. her tears all dried. Bob
echoed. yes. let's try it," and wee
Jack piped. ''Ess, let's ivy it,
So pencils and papers were brought.
Nelly and Bob wrote their own letters.
Mamma wrote Jacks. but he told her
just what TO write. Here are the lists:
NELLYS
A head for Esmeralda, with brown
hair. just like she had.
A bed for Esmeralda.
A box Of notepaper with little boys
and girls on it.
A chair for Esmeralda when she gets
her new head.
Some candy.
A book called Hans Brinker and the
Silver Skates"
BoB's.
sled.
A harmOnica.
a wagon load of blocks.
Some candy.
Some more candy.
JACKS.
keins with Jingle bells on them. just
like Bobs
nefalunt Che meant an elephant. but
mamma put il down Just as he said it,
drum
Candy.
Then each one had to hear what the
others wanted.
After that they went into the nursery
where there was a cylinder stove
Mamma opened the door nobody no.
ticed the draught at the bottom). La
dies first said she. Nelly dropped heI
note in and watched anXiougly while Il
burned a little, rose, Whirled, and flew
straight into the stOvepipe and up the
chimney
IT'S gonei It's goner' cried Nelly
Hurry. BObi"
But Bob was in no hurry. and pushed
his slowly in delighted to see Il fy
away hardly burned at all. Little Jack
stuck on rough place. fiuttering and
Tapping. until mamma got a poker and
at a touch the paper went straight up.
A step outside the front door. the rat
tie of key in the lock. and the children
tore down stairs shouting. Papa
papa!" Mamma stayed behind TO pick