The Democratic advocate., 1907-12-20
uNSTER Nd FRIDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 20, 1907

hang her little stocking up for that mys
terious individual to fill with his goodies,
but in the morning she would find thai
"Santa Claus" had passed her by in en-
tire forgetfulness.
"Poor little Dot," he said; ''she will
then learn what it is to be bread win
ner's child
| Many thoughts darted through Arthur
Dearcorn's mind as he endeavored to ell
bow his way through the increasing
crowds. Suddenly he was startled by
a cry and a pressing back on all sides.
To his dismay, he perceived two frantic
horses, which were attached to a carriage,
galloping down the street at furious pace.
1t was obvious that they we're beyond the
control of the driver, and the occupants
inside were loudly calling for help. With
out moments hesitation, Dearcorn broke
through the crowd, and hastily divesting
himself Of his coat, threw it in the faces
of the frightened animals as they came up
to where he had taken his stand. 1t had
the desired effect. They Immediately
stopped and attempted to plunge around
but, catching hold of the bride, he effect
uallY held them in check. The door of
the carriage was instantly opened, and a
young man, apparently about seventeen
years Of age, stepped out, and, rushing up,
warmly wrung pearcorns hand, exclaim-
ing;
"How can we ever thank you for this?
My mother expected every moment to be
crushed to death. Our horses ran over a
little girl this afternoon and have become
perfectly unmanageable.
Handing a card to Dearcorn, with an
injunction to call at ''Lawn House, Is
lington, the young man re-entered the car
riage, while the coachman and footman
dismounted and prepared to lead the horses
home. This incident wonderfully diverted
the breadwinner' gloomy forebodings, and
he walked briskly home. To his surprise,
an immense crowd was surging outside of
his house and blocking the passageway.
One of his neighbors rushed up to him and
said
''Dot, poor Dot p
"What of her?'' heenergetically asked.
"Why, she has been run over and near
ly killed" was the reply.
Half dazed, he rushed through the
crowd to his house, and saw his tiny favor
ite outstretched, while physician was set
ting her limbs. The horse he had stopped
had knocked his child down and broken
both arms. Bending over the child, he
exclaimed in husky voice
"Why did you leave the house, Dottie?'
''To buy you Christmas present" was
the answer 81 had but few pennies,
and wanted so much to make you feel
glad tomorrow, and to show you how much
Dottie loves you.
| At this, the strong man broke down
entirely. Those in the room tried to man
ifest their sympathy in his grief, but he
implored all to leave him alone with his
child. The limbs were soon set, and the
people withdrew The shadows of Christ
mas Eve deepened and deepened, unit
nigh mantled in darkness that vast city
yet the father still bent over the restlessly
sleeping form, and when the bells from the
neig ghboring churches dispelled him from
his revery, he sobbed bitterly.
"Poor Dottie Christmas Day, anc
Santa Claus has left you without Christ
mas gift p
II.
CHRISTMAS DAY.
Bang, bang, bang, went the knocker
"Who can that be- thought the weary
father to himself, "coming at this hour il
the morning?''
| Upon opening the door he saw mar
there with an immense hamper which ap
peared SO attractive.
"Sir Thomas Quinnell, Lawn House
Islington, has sent this, said the man, "tt
the little girl injured yesterday by his run
away horses. Everything she needs is te
be bought, and the bills are to be sent tt
Sir Thomas for payment.
The fathers heart seemed to leap W
into his mouth. ga thousand thanks tt
| good Sir Thomas" he exclaimed, and thi
SO warmly that the servant gazed at hin
with astonishmeu,:, Hastily he carried the
| basket up STATS, anu Wtut cN'7t W iiiS Oiiiiu
She opened her eyes and said
HAS Santa Claus come yet, papa p
Eyes, indeed, he has and just set
what grand things he has sent you. -
The hamper was then diligently ex
plored and what delicacies were there
Jams, tarts, pies, fine fat chicken, {
rabbit, grand ham, and a haunch O
venison.
Dots eyes fairly danced with glee, ant
she said "Santa Claus is so good, anc
vet | dreamed that | had been forgotten
I am so glad that my dream is not true
Happy Christmas to all the world, papa
and to you, above all others. "
"Happy, happy Christmas, returned
the father, sand little Dot does not know
how proud her father is of her.
And so the day passes in CHEEKY feast
ing. Dearcorn went to the small chape
near by, and heartily thanked God TO
preserving his Dottie.
Returning home, they had an old tim
Christmas dinner, and although Dotti
could not sit up, he told her story upol
story, and they laughed and cried together
and when evening came and Dottie fel
like going to sleep, she murmured
"Good night, papa, let us thank the fair.
of Christmas joys
The next day came, and about min
o clock the young occupant of the carriag
put in an appearance at the house. Hi
mother, Lady Quinnell, found out tina
their benefactor was the father of tn
child who had been injured by their horses
Young Sir Thomas begged to be allowe
to see the sufferer; he made every inquir
after her needs, and gave her beautifr
music-box as gift from Lady Quinnell
assuring Dot that his mother herself woul
visit her when she had recovered from th