The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1905-12-23

branches projecting about the windows
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 a few years added
Just a few years, though! The fam
lily Bible said Alexia was two-and-
twenty.
A great gust Of wind drew her at
tention suddenly without. She stood
by the window wondering II It was To
be 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
anectionately. All at once a white
something, larger and more substan-
tlal 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: Goo. {"
Alexia would not have been 50 sur
prtsed II 1t had been Santa Claus.
Children often write to him.
Out Of the envelope she pulled q
piece OF note geographically surrep-
titiously borrowed-on which was writ
ten in the undeveloped hand Of q little
one:
Dear God, please make me a Christ
mas tree like the one in the window
across the court. / can see II. will
put this on the roof SOS you'll get It
sooner. Yours truly, Sammie."
So Sammie was the name Of the lit
tie boy she had seen 30 often in the
opposite window. He seemed lonely;
she judged that his mother was dead
and that the child's father was q busy,
thoughtless man. An old housekeeper
was the only person she ever saw
about the apartment.
II was because Alexia had been q lit
tie lonely herself 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
Sammie. She did not mention the
note, for, should the child find out,
his faith would be shattered.
On Christmas morning. before Alexia
was fully dressed, a small young male
visitor was announced. No name was
given, and she wondered II some Of the
poor little children. in his joyful an
ticipation Of the day, had been unable
to restrain himself until the appointed
hour Of the party.
But II was Sammie. He stood breath
lessly 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, too?"
"Of course. Sammie, bring Uncle
Dick along" she said. taking his little
round face in her hands.
Alexia's children had all arrived but
Sammie, and the dining-room was
filed 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
SamTnie's coming when an impatient
Jingle Of the bell seemed to say Sam
mic"
Alexia answered the ring herself.
Here's Uncle Dick" said her small
friend before she could open the door
for 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,
Sammie scampered down the hall
toward the dining-room, leaving Uncle
Dick standing in the doorway.
Uncle Dick!" gasped Alexia when
she could get her breath
Eyes, Alexia," said Uncle Dick-but
he was not old. "Sammie said / was
Invited. Am II" He put out his hand.
1T must be Fate, dear. Shall we defy
IT."
"Or was It Sammie?" asked Alexia,
putting her hand in his.
But before he could continue the
the young man In question
appeared.
Aren't you coming, Uncle Dick?"
be asked, astonished that anyone could
remain 30 long away from such entic-
Ing sights as the dining-room held.
yes, Sammie. but, say. come here"
Bammie came, reluctantly.
And, because he was very young and
very much interested in q Christmas
tree. he did not notice how tenderly
his Uncle Dick kissed him, and how
many times Alexia took him IN her