The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-12-15

between them, said to his mother
that he wondered if he could not sur
prise his father by quitting school
and working that month for one of
their neighborS, Mr.. Lockhart, who
owned grocery store near by.
The next morning dawned and
Sam felt light hearted as he went to
his >work. But his father knowing
nothing of the boys work was sad.
The beginning of the boys work
| proved very successful with Mr..
Lockhart
One evening his brother Charles
came into the house in a great hurry
saying his father had been kicked
while at his work, and men were car.
rying him home. A physician was
summoned at once and his injury was
soon tended to.
| The accident occurred during the
second week Of Sans employment
and, receiving a large check he came
home light hearted. But finding his
father injured was disappointed
for he thought it would take all he
could earn to pay the doctor.
As Christmas drew near he worried
as we'll as the other members of the
family and his father was still in the
doctors care, but under recovery.
| The three little girls were learning
pieces for a Christmas exercise at
the church and said they must have
new dresses.
There was an old lady lived close
who had, no one to think of her on
Christmas, and the family had often
said that if everything went we'll
they. would ask her over for dinner.
1t was three days before Christmas
and the doctor said Mr.. Crandle could
be up that day.
Charlie, while going up town met
friend who asked him if he would
call at the Ward hotel, and Charlie
said he could. Charlie was waiting
very impatient'y for his companion
when he entered in hurry and said,
my young man am in great hurry
but as this il nearly Christmas, and
am helping the needy, want you to
drive around to my home on Pleasant
Avenue at this afternoon as I have
a parcel for your father. Don't forget
to come with a team"
The young man owned a grocery
store and meat market.
The boy appeared that afternoon
much pleased with what he saw on
entering the young mans home.
He drove home with two turkeys
and some potatoes and apples.
He had told his parents nothing of
his conversation that morning.
He came into the house and threw
the apples and potatoes on the floor
and how the children did Jump for
Joy. But to their surprise here we're
the turkeys In the wagon yet.
Sam came home that night with
his throat filled and his pockets
empty and as he came thru the barn
yard he muttered to himself, Here
1t Is nearly Christmas and not a nice
dinner to eat and whole month of
school gone, but, thankful to say. I
could pay fathers bill"
The sight which he saw on enter
Ing the house made him open his ewes
and stare, but he said nothing and
walked quietly over to his mother.
threw his arms around her neck and
replied, Mother what saint has on.
tered our house?"
The next day the boys went into
the woods and found beautiful tree
and that evening sleigh drove nm
and heavy wrap came to the door.
Sure enough then stood Old Saint
Nick himself. He bowed and flung
from his sleigh a large pack whic-
contained many toyD and the rest
were clothes enough for all the
/ children and family not forgetting the
, old lady and they all spent a merry.
merry Christmas together.