Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-12-27
Hilda's
Christmas Gift
B. LIZZIE ". GOODWIN
COPYRIGHT ~ AnerscAn Prss Aass-
c4afisn- I'M.

H Copyright ~ Amerscan Pre- 49,
III c1afien- 101
This Chistmas STORY really happens1.
1t occurred at an orphan asylum sit
mated in the United States. where .
number Of orphans and half orphans
are received. some children being
taken from parents who are unable
to provide for them The buildings
are located TN attractive grounds and
near the margin Of one Of Americas
most beautiful lakes
Christmas was coming On, and the
children at the orphanage we're tnvit-
ed to write Letters to Santa Claus.
mentioning such gifts ~ they would
Ike to receive on the approaching an
niveFsary. The boys asked for sleds.
skates. bats, balls and such other arti-
cles - pertain to youngsters Of their
age. The girls would have dolls. dol2-
houses, toy pianos, kitchea sets and
other girl taxA
HI,da was nine years old, and her
affections haA strengthened ~ her
years increased They were stronger
than her love for playthines. Most
children at that age doubt II tAere b
such q person ~ Santa Claus, but tie
children Of the orphanaee, not min
Cling with the world, retain Tie limo
cence Of their babyhoo and tAe1r BE-
ne A. ak~-h4s~ A>~~A~A "a ~--Af~su.ar
who brings the CHRISTMAS gffDl Hi
da was - tnnocent a. the rest Sbe
did not expect that Santa Claus woaid
bring the children everything they ask
ed for, but she did believe that he
would Rad their Letters anA Do what
he could for al Of them
Hflda's letter was very different
from all the rest Instead Of asking
for toys to play with or some orna-
inent to decorate her person Hilda
wrote to Santa Claus:
I wish for my Christmas present this
year to Pee my mamma
The letter Fas sent with the rest to
Santa Claus. Who transmitted them
IL one Of those mysteries that - - in
explicable a. Santa Claus himself.
Nevertheless he received every letter
and ret himself to work to gather in
the things the children asked for. But
Hilda's letter puzzled him. He could
cram q doll in q stocking or hang II
on a Christmas tree, but be could do
neither Of these with Hilda's mother.
Besides, Hilda's mother lived some
distance away. and II would cost
good deal Of money to bring her from
her home to the orphanage- II Santa
Claus could bring her In his sleigh
drawn by the eight tiny reindeer
the case would be simple enough. but
there was only room for the toys In
the sleigh. and human beings are not
used to riding up brick walls, over
roofs and down again on the other
side No wonder Santa Claus was
puzzled 1t looked a. II Hiida's pres
emit could not be given her. That
would be too bad. because she had
asked for nothing else. and II she
could not zee her mother she would
get no Christmas git
Hilda- innocent child that abe was.
didn't trouble her little head about an
this. She didn't realize that she had
given Santa Claus . knotty problem
to solve. She had simply asked for
what she wanted. Just - she would
ask for something IN hef prayers b.
fore going to bed
Well, Christmas eve came 1t last.
The children Of the orphanage always
receive their presents on the night b.
fore Christmas. and Santa Claus
brings the gifts In person. On Christ
mas eve the children gathered in the
schoolroom and while waiting for SAN
tn Claus sang . Christmas carol They
had scarcely finished when there were
q Jingle Of sIe1ghbells without, Q ring
at the doorbelI and = kicking Of snow
on Kriss KFingie's boots.
Every child rushed to the door at
once 1t was opened. and old Santa
Claus. with q bag Of gifts On hin
shoulders. came In, bringing . cold
pun Of wind with him The children
followed him back into the schoolroom.
where q large Christmas tree stood,
Illuminated With electric lights and
covered with spansies and tOyn- Thsrs
are 20 many children At the osphanase
that Santa Claus couldn't bring al the
toys for them with him and had sent
the larger ones before
He tossed jumping jack to one, Z
doll to another. mechanical cab to Z
third the matrons and other grown
persons assisting In the d1sn1batioa-
roor little Hilda did not - hss
mother IN tho roon and sorruwfuIly
nads mp her mind thar Santa Claus
could not Give her her present. An
ths Girls and boys received thsir GIN
but Hilda-
When It was all over Hilda went up.
stairs to Do some duty-for bsing onl
Of the older Girls she was assigned
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