The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-12-23
A LETTER TO SANTA CLAUS.

Written FOR mtermountain Catholic by Carrie
Craddock Salt Lake City,
The cold, frosty night was scarcely needed by
the merry Christmas shoppers. The business streets
of the great city were ablaze with the glory and
spendor of Christmas tide. As the moments flew
by the gay and eager hrongs seemed to be steadily
increasing and many of their faces was reflected
the inner Joy they experienced in spending so much
time and thought and care in selecting gifts for
others.
In front Of the gaily decorated windows of a
large store was group of children rapt in gazing
at the wonders OF toyland
To the childish mind there is perhaps no image
dearer than that of the generous faithful Santa
Claus and no vision half so beautiful that of
the enchanting, alluring fairyland of toys. There
everything in the grown-up world is slillfully rep
resented and unfortunate indeed is the child whose
longing for some favorite toy cannot be satisfied.
Many OF the children In this group were at
tended by parents or guardians and their faces
shone with delight as they pointed out the treas
ures which they wanted Santa Claus to bring. But
there was one little fellow all alone, standing with
his face pressed close to the window and with his
big brown eyes fixed upon the glittering decora-
lions of a large Christmas tree. While he was gaz
ing at the toys he seemed to be unconscious of
everything around him, but now and then some one
in the crowd jostled him and then the brightness
vanished from his thin little face and left it very
pale. \ strangely wistful expression came into
his ewes as he turned to look at the busy. throng
around him. and then he could feel how lonely and
cold and hungry he was. But when his gaze wan
dered back to the beautiful Christmas tree he for
got that he was hungry, forgot that there was any
world outside of that window. There were many
kind generous souls in that crowd. All if they had
only known the longing IN his little heart for one
Of those toys
The decorations of this window were especially
attractive tonight, and the crowd of admiring
spectators increased, the little boy pushed away
from his place He was not strong enough to re-
sist the rude hands that thrust him off the pave
ment and into the street.
Suddenly there was connection and an excited
cry of Fire heard in the distance Down the
street came the fremen and their swift steeds and
the people FASTENED to clear the way. Mothers
caught up their children in their arms. But there
was no one TO warn this lonely little fellow Of his
danger. He was still trying to get glimpse of the
Christmas tree and did not hear the changing OF the
fire bells \ man standing near happened to notice
him and reached out his hand to pull him back out
Of the way but just an instant too late. In that
moment the relentless wheels had crushed the life
ont Of the frail little body.
A gentleman stepped out from the horror
stricken crowd and picked up the lifeess form.
No one know the boys name where he lived.
Many eyes were filed with tears as the thought
Cured TO the people that the accident had hap
pened on the eve of what should have been the
happiest day in the wear for the boy.
The kind-hoarted gentleman had the body
riod to his home and taken to the room, where his
own little boy lay dreaming Of Santa Claus. He
removed the torn cap and the thin racket that
served as a covering for the little form.
Just waif Of the streets, be unused thought
fully Inside the pocket Of the jacket he found
torn and crumbled paper. He opened it and found
written on it in an uneven, childish hand, these
words:
Dear Santa Claus They told me that you
wouldn't bring me anything. But ] know that you
are good So if you have anything left, won't YOU
please bring me something .RQBBY.7
Here and there was a spot on the paper as
though tears had fallen upon 1t.
The gentleman stood for moment thinking
deeply. He was wealthy man and had been Law
SHY spending time and money in buying gifts for