Bisbee daily review., 1905-12-24
PAPA JoHN.~
4 Christmas Story.

Children as rule love to hear a
 story if it is told well and turns out
 all right.
 My children have listened to this one many. many times as we sat to. gether in the evening and watched the flickering of the firelght before
 bedtime.
 This is the sweetest of all times to the mother and child-when ques-
 tions are asked and little confidences exchanged
 Too quickly such days are over. the children are gone and mother is left to sit alone by the dying embers and sometimes long after.
 This story is not a true one in whole, but no doubt such sorrows have been experienced in the lives of children and too often a father is left without those on whom he would bestow his fondest affections.
 Once on a time a man sat with his grey head bowed on his hand His very attitude was that of despair
 All around him were the comforts and luxuries desired by many. but to this lone man all outward things had lost their charm.
 Just a year ago his wife sat by his side and his little son sat on his knee listening to the Christmas story loved so by the whole world.
 After the little fellow had hung up his stocking and cautiously peeped up the chimney wondering how Santa Claus could get down. then Papa car ried him in his nightie up to bed where Mamma tucked the covers 5nugly around him. Now I lay me" was quietly said and Johnnie was soon fast asleep.
 All these memories came rushing back to him. Lonely and broken-heart- ed, what was there left in life for him. 1 Then another memory seemed to be almost whispered to him. "The poor ye have with you always" his little boy had learned to say it one day: The poor, who are the poor. won der, if there are any near here?" Rising quickly he went to the window looking up and down the street. Moth ing but the beautiful residences met his eyes in every direction. He called to one of his servants asking him if he knew where any poor people lived Yes, suh, ovah on James street. suh. they is some poah people and on Jones street, suh. they is some noah. l suh." Thank you, Tom" said he, l order my cutter at once and have plenty of blankets and robes and put hot in the bottom to keep he feet warm"
 a.s
 Three little children, Josephine. l Charlie and Teddy stood by the rag stuffed window peering out into the street. Their faces were pinched and blue with hunger and cold.
 q wish Mamma would come back, am so cold and hungry" said Teddy.
 Don't cry, dear" said the sister as she tried to wrap her ragged dress round the shivering boy. Mamma said. before she went away that God would l take care of us. It seems a long time but Mamma always told the truth. ! Let us eat our piece of bread and goI 10 bed. Tomorrow is Christmas, perl haps Santa Claus will bring us some | thing nice"
 The bread was soon eaten, then they crawled into their bed pulling the on- ly blanket over them. God and the Angels must have heard Now I lay me down to sleep: pray the Lord my soul to keep. if I should die before I wake. I pray the Lord my soul to take"
 Josie. we forgot to hang up our If Santa Claus should come he might be disappointed. Please let us hang them up."
 Off came the stockings from the cold feet. and Charlie offered to hang them up while Josie kept the bed warm for him. Children and q good con science can sleep anywhere and at any time.
 Wake up, Josie; let us see if Santa Claus came while we were asleep"
 Quickly the children ran to their i So limp and empty they | were.
 'G guess he thought they were old rags" ventured Charlie.
 Just then a jingling of sleigh bells | was heard near the house. They rush | sd to the window, but the sleigh had turned the corner and was out of sight
 Silently they stood watching the peo- Die as they passed to and fro. Many were carrying bundles, and others beautiful branches of evergreen and lolly.
 How happy everything seemed on he outside. 'I guess God and Santa Claus forgot all about us" said Char ie.
 There's lots of time yet before Christmas is gone" said Josie. Let us weep and straighten up things the est we can. Somebody might come" harley broke up the last piece off