The new era., 1910-12-22

HA1 years ago. Thero WeIS
Il many men. but only one
@6 L little girl. She WAS sit
~ ting in front Of . hrs-
Q0 place, which occupied
q "a ono whole end Of the
best cabin In camp" Her seat was
. Pat piece Of pine log. Lying close
to her was big st. Bernard dog.
Miner Bob says that Santa Claus
comes down the chimney; but now.
Rover, We know better than that"
She took hold Of the dogs collar. and
turned his head toward the fireplace.
gwen II he should get down the chin
ney. he'd be burned mp. He could not
bring anything with him without gst-
ting 1t black and dirty. I'll put the
IRE out tonight with that pail OF
water"
Rover got up and took . lap or two,
and then came back and waited for
tho rest Of the story.
She continued: "But don't believe
any Santa Claus will come away out
here. whore there II only you and me.
Here she stopped and whispered In
the dogs ear. Wen leave the win
low open. OF course. Rover. I don't
mind telling you why am 20 anxious
tor Santa Claus not to como down
that chimney You see, want . doll.
Miner Bob says that Santa Claus
brings you what you wish for. !
never saw real dolls. but they must
be beautiful things. This picture
cut out Of q magazine 10 doll. 70
Miner Bob says. Whew! It mustn't
come down the chimney. Rover. It
mustn't"
In few minutes the dog and the
little girl were both fast asleep. This
time the child's head was pillowed on
Rover's shaggy coat and in her hand
she tightly held an Advertisement Of
Christmas toys.
Two men, sitting at pine table in
the other end Of the, cabin. were talk
Ing IN . low, mysterious manner
I'VE arsr .Muue~ cut of food, you-
know" said one: -only hvs potatoes
left. We paid 800 for the last stick.
but We could not get another stick for
love or money. We have been showed
In now for three months, and we've
got to count on four weeks more b.
fore there Ii any hope Of getting out
Of here
.Yes, know H." replied his COM
panion, hut I'm going TO Do II Just
the same"
you know the boss ORDERS" spoke
up the hrst man. who WAS Miner Bob.
"ws1l catch It II We disobsy. especial
~ when starvation II staring ~ in
the face"
Il can't help IT," was the reply.
put It all on me: IN stand the
blame"
The men drew their chairs closer
together, and there thsy worked fsf
several hours. stopping Just loag
enough to lift the little girl from sAs
floor to her cot, where she went On
dreaming of Santa Claus and the
beautiful doll.
1t was a bitter cold night-a regular
blizzard! several minors lost their
way going from one camp to tho
other and were frozen to death. AMI
mails that failed to get under shelter
were found dead next morning.
Tho little girl remembers no more
Of that most terrible storm In the his
tory Of the camp. but next morning
she was awakened early By her father
trying to close broken window. He
said It had been crushed In By the
storm, but the little girl said. "No.
Santa Claus did 1t"
~He's been hers!" she cried, and in
her excitement fairly rolled from her
cot over the floor to the chimnsy.
With cries Of "It's doll-a dolll"
she clasped to her heart the most
beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Its my doll, all mine: and It's got
eyes, and nose, and . mouth. and
ears and hair-and such = beautiful
red flannel dress!"
She kissed It again and again, and
no heart ever came 20 near bursting
with Joy as the heart Of that little
girl. way out In tho snowsd-in mine.
with death and starvation all about
her.
The two miners had come in, and
were listening to the wonderful story
~ 1t fell again from the childish lips.
"You used them ail." interrupted
the father. gazing stsrnly at the man.
"Yes," said Miner Bob. I'VE used
them all"
'It was wrong. very wrongf"
I'VE could not help It," replied the
other miner. 1T was the only way
to make 1t. and we'd rather 60 hungry
the rest Of our days than have the
kid disappointed"
The "kid." oblivious Of anything but
the blessed Joy Of possessing . doh.
was telling Rover: Father thinks the
wind broke the window. forgot to
open 1t; but, you see. Santa Claus
knows Just what you want 20 he
brought the doll through the window
to save her from getting dirty coming
down the chimnAy." -,s,----