Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-12-20
as he reached for box of cigars on

as he reached for a box of cigars on
the shelf.
"Hor on minute, Miley," said Jim.
"Wot yer say. Ike, ter dispensin' with
them cigars an phosphatizin' this
time an takin' tn amount O. Rob's
treat in the toys an SIGH. tricks fer
Christmas presents fer them kids an
putin in five Of our own fer some
thin neat fer that leetle woman?'
1.-THE very idee! By thump! I kin re-
member how Noay's ark an tin whis-
ties an sich d0-funnies ulster stir me
up when l wus kid back in Jackson
county at Christmas time. Yer plumb
genus, Jim, yer air, by ginger!''
Meantime Rob Desmond, his mind
filed with righteous wrath against the
unprincipled wretch who had dared
Jump his claim" was nearing his cab
in. In his anger snow and cutting
winds were scarcely noticed. Only one
dominating desire possessed his soul
to set eyes on that rascal Of a claim
Jumper" and order him off his domain,
forthwith.
When he reached the persimmon
thicket he hitched his horse and walk
ed theoretically toward his cabin. The
door was partly open, held so by little
Bessie, who was watching the falling
snow. She was alone, the others hav-
Ing gone TO the dugout stable to see
that the mules were made comfortable
for the night. p
The glow from the fireplace revealed,
to the owners astonished gaze, a bright
eyed little fairy with long golden hair.
She was swaying back and forth hum
ming to herself. Then she broke out
earnestly:
"Oh, Sanity, tum right here an make
our wagon we'll, an, If you can spare
'em, just drop some nice Trismus pres
ents down."
She ceased suddenly as the form of
a man doomed up before her. She had
been asking for Santa Claus, and there
was now no doubt in her mind but that
Rob, In his big fur overcoat covered
with snowfakes, was the great person.
Ige for whom she had been calling.
"Wheres your pa, little grip asked
Desmond, entering his own cabin.
He's g0ne," answered Bessie, look
Ing half shyly at the visitor.
"Gone! Where tor
"Gone to heben," said the little girl
very simply.
"Humph" muttered Rob to himself.
u didn't know claim Jumpers went to
heaven"
''Is you Santa CLAUSE" asked Bessie
abruptly, fixing her gaze, first on the
great buffalo overcoat dotted with
white, then raising her eyes wistfully
to the young mans handsome face.
mo, little one, I'm not SANITY" said
he kindly, the hard look on his face
vanishing under the magnetism Of the
child's presence and guileless prattle.
Desmond loved children. What IL
some of her folks had wronged him!
She was innocent and as pure as the
new fallen snow. His anger having
subsidized, he drew from his pockets q
few trinkets and paper Of pretty can
Dies which he had bought at the store,
ito be in spirit with the season. he
had apologized to Miley. These he
placed in Bessie's hands and watched
the expression of delight that illumi-
mated the child's face. She had hardly
done thanking him when the door
opened and Faith entered. Her eyes
met Desmond's in one long, searching
glance, then she turned white and
leaned against the wall. Rob let his
hat fall to the floor as he fastened to-
ward the agitated girl.
"Faith! Faith Haskinsv' he cried.
us it you-and here?"
"Oh, Rob, I never expected to see
you again!'' she sobbed, burying her
face in the folds Of her shawl. The
sight Of an old friend had thrown her
of her guard and brought back to her
sharply and keenly all her trouble aud
loneliness and made her strangely
weak. = y~:..,- =.
When Clint came in few minutes
later he found his sister in the arms Of
what appeared to him to be big buff
falo. Never having heard that buffa-
loes were in the habit Of coming into
cabins and hugging people, he ap-
preached Bessie, whose teeth had just
decapitated candy rabbit, and asked
in IN awed whisper: 4, IL.
''What's got Faith? Is It hurtin'
herr" <.@-fz ::==E :
= " =
II dess not" Bessie whispered back
as well as she could with her mouth
full. He's awful nice, an dess he's
relation to Santa Claus. See what
he dibbed met" holding up her pres
ents. s.= .s. e FL ]. i IA i
Returning from the blacksmith's
shop, Ike and Jim left the repaired
wheel BY the wagon and stole quietly.
up to the shack. AS they passed ono
Of the windows they looked in to see
II their victim were there. With sur
prise they beheld him sitting by Faiths
side, holding both her hands In his.
The freight revealed to their aston.
ished sight the two happy faces, while
two equally happy children were sit
ting on the floor at their feet. & .# ]. .#5
The fellows, realizing that their Joke