Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-01


asleep, and Trux and Gale had Just started up
the stairs to join them, when there was again
heard the sound of sleigh bells abruptly stop
ping at the gate, then a voice saying, Wnoa'
whoa, boys, whoa!" in a soothing tone ana
Ephraim Sommers, the owner of the big daisy
farm four miles beyond Dayton, ciambered :,
out of the long double sleigh, came hurreoy
up to the house, and gave loud rap on the
door.
1t was opened by Mrs. Dana, who was not
a little startled by call at that late hour In
the evening and in such incement weather.
Mr.. Sommers, at once. and IN few words
stated the nature Of his business.
The man in charge of the express Office
at the station had informed him there was a
large box for the Danas-came an hour De
fore-and he thought, as it was Christmas
eve, they might like to have it.
$50 l brought it along" explained Eph'
rain, in neighborly fashion. Its out IN the
sleigh. It's of good size and pretty heavy,
but guess 1 can manage it."
In great wonderment Mrs. Dana asked II
he was sure it was Tor them. was Cnere hoe
some mistake?
"No Marked plain as print, For the Dana
kids But must hurry; roads fast drifting
full, and I've got some ways to go yet, and
out he went to fetch in the box.
After much tugging and pulling and turning
end over end through the deep snow, he sue
ceeded in getting the heavy box into the
house.
''Who could have sent it!" asked mother
and daughter in breath. Ephraim could not
think of anyone at all likely to be so generous
in that not overly rich locality. Mrs. Dana
and her mother thanked him fervently for his
trouble. but he assured them it was no trou-
BILE at aIl-glad he was able to do them
kind turn. Then, with smiling glance al
the cedar dimly discernible in the shaded
lamp light. the suspended turkey. all ready for
the oven. family outlined amid the shelterlng
leaves. Ephraim wished them good night and
a merry Christmas, and hastened away In
tent upon getting home before the roads were
really impossible.
The sound of the sleigh bells had brought
Trux and Gale to a sudden halt when half
yay I'D the stairs. A tip-toed return and
cautious peep through the partly open cham
Der door revealed Ephraim in the act of de-
posting the box in the middle of the floor.
The moment he was gone out bounded the
boys, wild with curiosity and eager to know
all about it.
1t was Trux who first found his voice.
'1t must be for u.s." he said. I'VE are
the only Dana kids in this town. Oh, say,
Gale, where is the hammer and the hatches!
Well soon see what is inside"
Mrs. Dana was too bewildered to object,
and grandma looked quite dazed, too. 1t was
such big box and packed full, for it was
SO heavy. Irux ended up what he called the
top because that was marked, and attacked
it with the hatchet In no uncertain manner.
The top was soon pried off, the wire nails
giving way grudgingly, but Trux, though
slight of form, was strong, and Gale helped,
and speedily the contents were disclosed.
What a shout went up from Gale and Irux!
Right ON top there was letter directed:
"For the Dana kids" and it inclosed twenty
five dollar bills.
"Wishing you all merry Christmas,
tx. KRINGLE."
That was all.
"K stands for Kriss, 1 know" said Trux
"But Just look at the things, grandma"
Things indeed! There were toys of oil
sorts, puzzles, games picture books. big
plum cake, candy, nuts and oranges. New
suits for every "kid'-one for best, and an
extra for every day-overcoats for Trux and
Gale, and cute little ones for Winch and
Tommy. Warm hannels, mittens, caps, COM
forters- something for everyone from grand
ma down to baby Blossom.
'sWel. this beats mel" said Gale, catching
his breath in sheer astonishInent. 'It's away
beyond anything thought could ever happen
to us in the good fortune line"
eve will have tree now that will make
Winch and Tommy open their eyes in the
morning, and we will have dinner, too, that
will make us forget the many we have gone
without for this long time" replied Trux.
81 cannot imagine who could have sent it, .
perplexedly questioned Mrs. Dana not yet
recovered from her mystifcation
"Maybe it was Jane Virgins" ironically
suggested Gale.