Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-24

enthusiasm. Grandma declared it was beau.
tlful, even If there was nothing at all to put
on it,, and Mrs. Dana said the sight of it
made her feel as if happier days were in store
Tor them, and the worst Of their troubles over.
~ n was ITux who had thought of it. Ihe
little, scrubby cedar was great success
It was dull. cloudy morning, with every
INDICATION of another storm brewing and be-
tore 1 O'Clock the snow was coming down
WIN steady persistence that gave promise
OF becoming a regular old nor aster 1t
was almost dark and the snow was driving
against the window. panes in spiteful gusts,
when there came the sound of sleigh bells
without, and Uncle Silas Craig, muffed to
tne eyes, drove. up to the gate. lie had an
immense parcel dcne up in strong brown
paper IN one blue-mittened hand, and in the
other the same large basket that had accom-
panied him on previous memorable, visit;
ne sudden silence Of the big, old-fashioned
instant He opened It with youthful alacrity
before the old man had time to stamp the
snow from his huge "arctics," and drew him
with affectionate force, parcel, basket and
Oh, Uncle Sias. am so glad you camel"
ne SAID. You can see our tree now. We
set It up yesterday, Gale and l. isn't it great?"
The old man laughed as he looked at the
scfu9oy SCI 3 cedar and nodded approval. Then he
set down his burdens and shook the snow
from his fur cap and shaggy great coat with
marked deliberation. His grizzled beard and
long, gray locks gave him the appearance Of
verltable Santa Claus. Tommy and Winch
really grew hysterical at the sight.
1T is Santa!'' they cried, "a truly Santa,
Just like we saw in the picture book"
Uncle Silas was vastly pleased.
| well, now, you didn't think I-was going
will to all mankind, did you?" he replied. "I
got a little present for you kids when | was
at Lake View last week." and as he spoke
he deftly removed the heavy brown wrapping
was sled--a perfect beauty. painted red,
and with the picture of a reindeer in full
gallop on the seat. The boys fairly screamed
with delight, and while they were eagerly ad-
fast enough, sure, to "beat Joe Barney's old
home made thing all to nothing" Uncle Silas
uncovered the contents of the big basket. A
fine turkey, cranberries, rosy apples. a delici-
things that kind Aunt Hannah had sent with
best wishes and carefully prepared with her
own hands.
Miss Jane Virgins and her like, remember
I ing that their sort of charity had been po-
litely but firmly. declined. gave them no
thought but Uncle Silas and Aunt Hannah
were different, and knew how to do gener-
Gus act without wounding the pride or heart
of the recipient Of their charity.
Trux declared the turkey must 60 on the
Christmas tree then and there. And it did
Fastened securely by it's elongated neck and
its white breast shaded by the. deep green
leaves of the cedar, it was fine" although
rather unique adornment of Christmas tree.
with the apples and the strings of pop corn,
it would be all right" Gale averred
Uncle Sas enjoyed the fun and was as
much of boy any of them, helping to
'ftrim' the tree, and laughing heartily to see
Tommy and Winch hop around it in excited
glee at the wonderfully splendid things that
were happening after their long siege of abso-
lutte deprivation and mental gloom.
1t was now quite dark, and Silas said he
must go. Hannah wouldn't know what had
become of him if he staid any longer. And
then she would begin TO worry, of course.
Grandma wiped away few grateful tears
as she took his hand at parting.
at can say no more than that"
"I-we do not know how to thank you,"
added Mrs. Dana. eve have no words in
which to tell you how deeply we feel and
appreciate your Kindness" Her voice falter-
ed, speech failed her, but the old man under
Stood
pink fingers in his long whiskers. with lit
tic gurgling laugh of friendly notice.
frBless the baby" he said softly, under his
breath "The dear, pretty little one! She'll
be old enough to have tree of her own next
year."
what moth-eaten fur cap over his ears and
turned to go. The scent, Of the Christmas
cedar filled the room, and he felt strangely
hanpy and at peace with himself and all the
worid-envious, too, somehow of these fine
bows. The younger children stood back in a
kind of questioning awe, for they were vaguely
conscious that if anyone spoke it would be
with burst of tears. So the old man passed
ont into the storm and the night with a glow
at his heart that no cold could chill and no
storm lessen But his foot had not vet left
the weather-beaten porch when Trux stood