The daily Alaskan., 1912-01-20
Hilda s Christmas Gift By LIZZIE W. GOLDWIN Copyright by Amvrican Press Asso-
 ciatlon lEll

uated in the United States. where a number Of orphans and half orpbans are received, some children being taken from parents who are unable to provide for them The buildings are located in attractive grounds and most beautiful lakes
 Christmas was coming on, and the children at the orphanace were mvit- cd Co write letters Co Santa Claus, mentioning such gifts as they would like tc receive on the approaching an- nivcrsary. The boys asked for sledS skates. bats, balls and such other arti- cles as pertain Co youngsters Of their age. The girls would have dolls. doll houses. toy pianos, kitchen sets and other girl toys
 Hlda was nine years old, and her affections had strengthened as her years increased They were stronger than her love for playthings Most children at that age doubt if there is Such a person as santa Claus, but the children of the orphanage, not min cllnc with the world. retain the inno- conce of their h0hyb'od and their be lief in the white hcaricd old gentleman wbo brings thc Christmas gifts Hl' da was as innocent GS the rest She dtl not eyrc,t That santa Claus would bring the children everything th'y ask cd for but shr dil believe that he would rad their letters and do what he could for aIl of them
 HHda's letter Was very different from all tEn rest Instead ot asking for toys ja play with or some orna- mcut Co decorate her person Hilda wrote ro santa Claus:
 wish n. my Christmas present this year .a see r.E uam-E.
 The letter waS sent with the rest to Santa Claus Who transmitted them Is one of those mysteries that is as in- exnueaMe as santa Claus himself Nevertheless he received every letter and set himself Co work to gather in the thirrs the children asked for. But Huda's letter puzz,ei him Ic could cram GoU iu a stocking or hang it on a ChriSmas tree. hut he could do neither oS these with HHda's mother. Besides. Hlda'S mother lived some distance away. and it would cost good deal Of money to bring her from her home to the orph5naEe. If Santa Claus could bring her in his sleigh drawn by the "c.ght tiny reindeer the case would he simple enough, but there was only room for the toys in the sleigh. and human beings are not used Co riding up brick walls, over roofs and down again on the other side No wonder santa Claus was puzzled It looked as if Hnda's pres ent could not be given her. That would be too had, because she had asked for nothing else and it she courd not soc her mother she would get no Christmas gift.
 HHda innocent child that she was, didn't trouble her little head about an this. She didn't realize that she had given Santa Claus a knotty problem Co solve. She had simply asked for what she wanted. just as she would ask for something in her prayers be fore going to bed.
 Wen. Christmas eve came at last The children Of the orphauage always receive their presents on the night be fore Christmas. and Santa Claus brings the gifts in person On Christ nas eve the children gathered in the sehoo'room and while waiting for San Ca Claus sanC a Christmas carol. They had scarcely finished when there were jingle Of sleighbeIs without, a ring at the doorbcU and a kicking of snow off Nrfss ErlnEle's boots.
 Every child rushed to the door st once. It was opened, and old Santa Claus. with bag ot gifts on his shoulders. came in. bringing a cold paf Of wind with him The children followed him beck into the sChcolroom, whore n large Christmas tree stood, Illuminated with electric lights and covered with spanCles and toys. There arc so many children at the orphanage that Santa Claus couldn't bring an the toys for them with him and had sent . thc larger oncs before
 He tossed a jumping jack to one, q doU Co another a mechanical cab Co a third. the matrons and other grown ! persons assisting in the distribution Poor little Uuda did not see her mother In the room and sorrowfully m7de up her mind that Santa Claus could not give her her present All the girls and boys received their gifts hnl Enda
 When it was all over Hilda went up- stairs to do some duty-for being one or the older girls she was assigned . lrties-and while she was at work ! she heard voices downstairs calling:
 Where's Hndag HUds Burton, come l here~'
 ! HUda went downstairs. and there stood Santa Claus waiting for her Are you Hudag" he asked.
 Yes"
 "I have a present for you that Is too ! big to be put on the Christmas tree. ! so I must give it to you now"