Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-12-14


= the dining-room, III
branches projecting about the Window
heavily laden with mysterious berib
boned parcels and rainbow-hued orna
ments
"A real Christmas, after ALL cried
Alexia, and the smile which accom-
panied the words would have led one
to believe that she was in her sixth
winter instead of In her three-times-
that-many with few years added
Just a few years, thought The fam
fly Bible said Alexia was two-and-
twenty.
" A great gust Of wind drew her at
Gention suddenly without. She stood
BY the window wondering II 1t was to
be a real blizzard like they had in
the west.
The heap Of snow was growing
larger and larger, and she watched the
feathery fakes pile up on each other
affectionately. All at once a white
something, larger and more substan-
fial than snowflake, was drifted onto
the heap. It was a tiny white en-
velope.
When she had finished the pepper Of
corn Alexia opened the window and
picked up the damp little paper. One
short word was written In a much.
blurred and childish hand: God"
Alexia would not have been so sur.
prised II 1t had been Santa Claus.
Children often write to him
Out Of the envelope she pulled al
piece Of note probably surrep.
titiously borrowed--on which was writ.
ten in the undeveloped hand Of little
one:
''Dear God, please make me a Christ.
mas tree like the one in the window
across the court can see It. will
put this on the roof SOS you'll get 1t
sooner. Yours truly, Sammie."
So Sammle was the name Of the lit.
Ale boy she had seen so often In the
opposite window. He seemed lonely;
she Judged that his mother was dead
mnd that the child's father was q busy,
thoughtless man. An old housekeeper
was the only person she ever saw
about the apartment
It was because Alexla had been q lit. |
no lonely hersels as Christmas drew
near--her first Yuletide In the city
that she had gathered this little circle |
Of poor children and planned a party
for them. Her reasons were not purely |
philanthropic.
There was no need Of two persons
being lonely, Alexia philosophical, and
she straIghtway went over to inter.
view the old housekeeper in regard to
Eammie, She did not mention the
note, for, should the child find out,
his faith would be shattered.
On Christmas morning, before Alexla
was fully dressed, small young male
visitor was announced No name was
given, and she wondered II some Of the
poor little children. in his joyful an.
ticlpation Of the day, had been unable
% restrain himself until the appointed
hour Of the party
But It was Sammie, He stood breath
lsasly In the hall without either coat
or hat, his little cheeks bright with
the nipping breath Of Jack Frost.
"Uncle Dicks come" he said, by
way Of Introduction to his mission.
my Uncle Dick came last night, and
and can't leave him all alone. Please
can't he come, tool"
"of course. sammie. bring Uncle
Dick along" she said, taking his little
round face in her hands.
Alexia's children had all arrived but
Gammie, and the dining-room was
allied with CALCULATIONS Of delight at
each new view Of the splendid tree.
She was beginning to wonder wheth.
er or not Uncle Dick had prevented
Eammie's coming when an Impatient
Jingle Of the bell seemed to say SAN.
mie."
Alexla answered the ring herself
Here's Uncle Dick" said her small
friend before she could open the door
Tor him. where's the tree" he cried,
his childish excitement and Importance
At bringing a visitor running away
with his patience.
Without a sign Of an introduction.
6ammie scampered down the hall
toward the dining-room. leaving Uncle
Dick standing In the doorway.
Uncle Dickl" gasped Alexla when
abe could get her breath.
Yes. Alexia," said Uncle Dlck-but
he vas not old. "eammie said I was
invited. Am II" He put out his hand.
1T must Be Fate, dear. Shall we defy
mr.
-or vas Il sammisf" nsksd Alsxia.
putting her hand IN hla
But before he could continue The
IfEument he young man n question
appeared.
Aren't you coming, Unels Diekf- /
IA asked, asloni1hod that anyono could {
|rn4in % long sway ron sach eutIo {
nr s|shfa a. he dlnlns-room held.
-ffs fauuIe. but 1ay. come hera- /
aUnIe cane. reluctantly.