Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-05-16

race glowing.
 'I'll bet Santa Claus was good to him." said M. Brought him sleds an candy an nuts an raisins an new boots an everything"
 'Why do you think so?' asked his mother, who was now reading intently.
 "'Cos he was a good boy. He wouldn't cry if he had to fill the wood box, would he, mother?'
 That query held hidden rebuke for his brother Tom.
 "I do not know, but do not think he was ever saucy or spoke bad word"
 "Huhw said Tom rehectively. "Then I guess he never had no mustard plas- ter put on him."
 The widow bade him hush.
 "Er never had nuthin' done to him. neither" the boy continued, rocking vigorously in his little chair.
 Mustn't speak so of Christi" the mother added.
 ''Waal,' said Paul, rising, T guess I'll hang up my stockin's."
 "Onell do, Paul. said his sister Pol ly, with knowing air.
 ''No 'twon't," the boy insisted. "They ain't half as big as yours. I'm goin' t try 1t, anyway, an see what he'll do to 'em." & He drew off his stockings and pinned them carefully to the braces on the back of chair.
 "Well, my son." said Mrs. Vaughn, looking over the top of her paper, its bad weather. Santa Claus may not be able to get here"
 ''Oh. yes, he can," said the boy con- fidently, but with little quiver of alarm in his voice. 'I'm sure he'll come. He has team of reindeers. | An the deeper the snow the faster they go.'"
 Soon the others barred their feet and hung their stockings on four chairs in a. row beside the first | Then they all got on the bed in the corner and pulled quilt over them to wait for Santa Claus The mother went on with her reading as they chat tered.
 Sleep hushed them presently. But for the cracking of the fire and the push and whistle of the wind that room had become as peaceful, silent cave under the storm.
 The widow rose stealthily and open ed bureau drawer. The row of limp stockings began to look cheerful and animated. Little packages fell to their toes, and the shortest began to reach for the floor. but while they were fat In the foot they were still very lean in the leg.
 Her apron empty, Mrs. Vaughn took her knitting to the fire and before she began to ply the needles looked thoughtfully at her hands. They had been soft and shapely before the days of toll. A frail but comedy woman she was. with pale face and dark eyes and hair prematurely gray.
 She had come west, girl of nine teen, with her young husband. full of high hopes. That was twenty-one years ago, and the new land had poor ly kept it's promise. trsq -o .es--s |
 And the children-"How many have you?" caller had once inquired. Lis ten" said she, ''hear 'em. an you'd say there were fifteen, but count 'em, an they're only four" 2
 The low, weathered house and sixty acres were mortgaged. Even the will derness had not wholly signed off its claim. Every year 1t exacted tribute. the foxes taking a share of her poul- try and the wild deer feeding on her grain. Presently there came a heavy step and a quick pull at the latchstring. An odd figure entered in swirl of snow-a real Santa Claus, the mystery and blessing of Cedar hill. For five years every Christmas eve in good or bad weather he had come to four little houses on the hill. where, indeed, his coming had been as godsend. Whence he came and who he might be none had been able to guess. He never spoke in bis official capacity, and no citizen of Faraway had such a beard or figure as this man. Now bis fur coat, his beard and eyebrows were hoary with snow and frost. 1cicles hung from his mustache around the short clay pipe of tradition. He lower cd a great sack and brushed the snow of it. He had borne it high on his back. with q strap at each shoulder. The sack was now about half full of things. He took out three big bundles and laid them on the table. They were evidently for the widow herself, who , quickly stepped to the bedside. Come children" she whispered. rous ing them. ''here Is Santa Claus" They scrambled down, rubbing theil eyes. Polly took the hands of the twt small boys and led them near him Paul drew his hand away and stooc spellbound. eyes and mouth open. H' .. watched every motion of the goot saint. who had come to that chair tha |. held the little stockings. Santa Clau'
 put q pair O. boots on 1t. They wer' !, copper toed, with gorgeous front piece of red morocco at the igp of the leg
 Then. as if be had some relish of joke. ha took then up. looked then
 over thoughtfully and put them bael ; in the sack again. whereupon the Do! Paul burst into tears. old Santa Claus
 shaking with silent laughter. replaces . them in the chair quickly. As If to Tighten the boys heart b
 opened a box and took out a moutl organ. He held 1t so the light sparkle ! on it's shiny side. Then he put his pip