Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-16
A Letter From Santa Claus
BY MARY c. RINGwALT.

B1 MARY I. kiNGN ALL.
Dorothy had written Christmas letter to
Santa Claus ever since her fat little fingers
could clasp a pencil-at first in fascinat-
ing scrawl. then in careful. precise printing
and finally in truly real handwriting. But
she never dreamed that Santa Claus would
write to her.
Ii must be confessed that Dorothy had
done nothing to deserve so great an honor.
In fact. although the happy Christmas sea-
sol. was fast approaching, she had been
particularly cross and naughty
I'm distressed about Dorothy" said
mother to father one evening after their
little daughter had been put to bed. 'rm
afraid she is quite spoilt. She has been
such selfish little girl lately, and she
wants her own way in everything
Father sighed. What else can you ex-
pect when she is an only child. an only
gr2Edchiid. and an only niece of three
adoring aunts and two pet unc1es?"
IF we could teach her to think of 9TH
ers and forget herself said mother earn
eStly. Il wonder
Mother and father drew their chairs so
close together and spoke in low a tone
that not word of the long talk that fol-
lowed could be overheard but several
times father gave an approving nod while
more than once smile half tender, half
-mischieyous, sole over mothers pretty
mouth.
II was the next morning that the letter
arrived from Santa Claus Dorothy find MS,
1t at her place on the breakfast Ia lie Just
as she was beginning to pout about eating
her nice mush.
The letter came In large embroidered"
envelope such as fairies make to carry val
entines. Tits stamp was hand-painted
sprig OF holley, while the address was writ
ten IN bold, dashing hand with comical
fiourishes as though the pen chuckled at
the end of each word.
And when Dorothy's excited fingers drew
the letter out from the envelope she gave
an O-ooo-ooop Of delight, for the sta
tionary's crest was a tiny green Christmas
tree hung with yellow and red and blue
balls. with a scroll under il beaming the
motto: Little Children Love One An
other In beautiful red and gold lettering
Dorothy was too impatient to spell out
the big words. so while she held the won
derful letter IN both hands,. mother stood
behind her chair and read 1t aloud:
My Dear Dorothy 1t began. This Is
letter from your old friend Santa Claus
What do you suppose? In the midst of this
rush season. one of my best fairies has
met with an accdent-been run over by an
automobile. pinion of her left wing being
SO badly broken that the whole wing had
to be put into plaster Of Paris cast Now
without her aid l cannot possibly fill all my
professional obligations unless some kind
hearted little girls and boys help me out
Dear little Dorothy, may I depend upon
you to play Christmas fairy to little Elsie
Perkins, who lives in the alley right back
OF your pretty house? She has a sick hip
SO that she has to lie in bed all the time
and she has never had a dollie In her lfe
Ii you will fill stocking with some of your
own toys for her my mind viii be greatly
relieved Trusting you to make little Elsie's
Christmas happy. Sincerely yours,
SANTA CLAUS
ooh. mother" cried Dorothy. "can # be
truly reaI?"
THAT Santa Claus wants nv darling to
make another little girl happy on Christ
mas?"
No, mother-'course he ponds on me for
that. Dorothy held her head very proud
ly. But Is 1t truly real that Elsie has to
lie in bed always and that she has never
had a dollfe at ALP
Mother sadly nodded
Why, mother, when the naughty measles
was-awfuI! And I had Arabella, Louisa
Maud, Clarissa Jane, and-and Lady Rosa
mond on the pillow beside meP' The tears
overfiowed DOrothy'S eyes and splashed
down her pink cheeks.
For q moment mother wondered IL Santa
Claus had been quite wise in telling a child
who had always lived in the sunshine about
poverty and pain. Then she thought of ali
the little Elsies in the world and how
miserable their lot would be IL the fortu-
nate little girls surrounded by love and
blessings. Tenderly she put her arms about
her darling and comforted her as only
mother can.
The days that followed were very busy
ones.
That afternoon mother and Dorothy went
down town shopping. and Dorothy actually
forgot to be cross In the crowded stores SO