The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-20
By Helena Davis.
eSS

thought coming to her. Somehow, he felt a bit ashamed, and did not raise her face to look at Santa as he handed her another letter to read, explaining as he did so: You see, my dear little girl. these letters were not written by those whose names are signed. They were just wished by them very deeply, and their wishes were carried to us through the clouds by fairies whom we call our postal service.' And then our secretary wrote the wishes on paper so that they might be filed away in the form of let ters. Now, here is another letter for you to read"
 Paulie took the letter and opened 1t, reading with flushing cheeks: Santa. send me just what I wish for. If you do not-and send to me things I have not asked for-I shall throw them away. Mamma says I should take what gifts you see it to bring me, and be thank ful for them. But why should I be thankful for things I have not asked for? I want just what I want, and nothing else will please me. Paulie, aged nine. P. S.-Do not bring me any more dolls this year. But give me a little piano and a gold ring instead of dolls. I have five
  dolls already"
 Santa Claus took the letter from Paulie, saying as he did so: Here are many other letters, but I am happy to say there are none disclosing so selfish a nature as the one wished by the little girl who signs herself Paue Now. do you wish to read any more?'
 Paulie felt lump in her throat, and shaking her head, she replied: No, Santa Claus, I have read enough. myself wished the last letter read, and am ashamed of it. How could 1 ever have been so naughty And how differ entity the other little girl wrote you the poor girl who signed herself Lottie. III hope you are not going toto keep that letter-that I wished, Santa Claus" And Paulie's voice trembled
 Certainly, my little maid, we keep all our correspondence. We must have some thing to refer to when making out our list of presents, But maybe you'd like to send another letter of later date" he suggested.
 "Oh, yes. yes,' cried Paulie. "And the next letter I wish to you shall be a very different kind. I did not know I was so selfish till l read little eight-year-old Lottie's letter, and then read mine"
 "Ah, I felt quite sure you'd see things in their right light" declared Santa Claus.
 
 And I'm sure this little visit to me will be the means of making you a better little girl. You'll grow less selfish and learn to consider the happiness of others as well as your own. And now you'll have to be going, for it's getting near your dinner time. An, there's the sleigh at the gate, and old Jolly-Jabbers Is in his seat ready to drive you to earth.
 But I want to tell you, Santa" began Paulie, when she felt a hand clutching her shoulder and heard a voice calling in her ear:
 Come, daughter, dinner is waiting. Ton must have slept during the entire after noon. Come. wake up! Papa is in the dining -room."
 Paulie opened her eyes and saw her mother bending over her. There she was in the big cushioned chair in front of the grate, just as she had been early in the afternoon. Had she been dreaming? Well, dreaming or not, she meant to write-or wish-another letter to Santa that very night, and to confess to him that she had been very selfish little girl, but that in future she meant to turn over a new leaf and be good. And to tell him