The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-12-12
fore he reached Mrs. Marsbam.. when

open the letter. ran II over and caught
at newell post in the hall for support.
Harry waited, eagerly watching her.
Till sue said in broken sentences:
Picked up-carried all overcoming
home for Christmasr
| Harry went on without word, for
ne knew that nothing he could say
would receive attention, but the next
morning, when delivering a circular.
he stopped and learned more about the
situation.
Il have Bobs letter to Santa Claus In
my pocket" he said, land would like
your permission 10 open IL. that 4 may
give him something he has asked for "
This led 10 bit OF conversation be
tween the lady and Harry, I'm which q
scheme for the delectation OF the chill
dead had been restored 10 life Mrs
Markham was eager 10 make as much
as possible of the coming Christmas.
Captain Markham reached his home
On Christmas eve While detained on
the way he had provided Christmas
gifts for his family, but when he drove
up to his home, leaving them in the
cab, he sprang into the arms OF his
wife and Rugged his children. forget
ting all about the gifts till he saw the
cabman Juggling them into the house
| The children were In ecstasies that
| their father had come home for Christ
mas, and Bob's first remark, character
istic OF childhood was
Nov | write that letter tn Santa
| Claus I'll git two. lots OF presents"
That was a merry Christmas eve In
| deed Mrs. Markham told Lucy for
the first time that her father had been
wrecked and had been given mp for
dead; that he had gone down with his
ship, come up and got on TO portion
Of the deck Of his vessel which had
| burst OF when she sank. From there
he had been taken In starving condi
| ton by passing ship ana was too far
gone to give an account OF himself for
some time. At last he found himself
at Cape Town, South Africa, and had
written the letter which had been re-
ceiyed as soon as he was able to do so
As for Bob, he was too young to IN
derstand the matter.
On Christmas morning. when the
stockings were taken down, Bob was
| much disappointed at not receiving any
of the gifts for which he had written
Santa Claus.
II tell you what you do, Bob" said
his father Write on ask Lucy to
write another letter to Santa Claus
reminding him that he has left out
| just the things you wanted and you'd
like to have him get them for you at
once. Harry makes one delivery to
day and will be here about noon. Give
him your letter and tell him to see
that Santa Claus gets 1t right away"
Bob failed to get Lucy down to any
such task. she being too busy enjoying
her presents, so Captain Mark ham
wrote the letter, and when Harry came
round with a new, lot OF Christmas
| packages Bob handed him the letter,
Captain Markham smiled knowingly
at the postman, and the postman wink
ed at Captain Markham.
Shortly before the children went to
bed there was ring at the bell, and
Bob was hidden TO answer the sum.
mons. There In the doorway stood
Santa Claus himself, covered with
| snow.
rs there a little boy here named
BobY' he asked.
Yes. I'm Bob"
Ill 4 20 t.ns sa6
| your letters, but since | am all over
the world at the same time | knew
| that your father was In South Africa
and would be home In time to get you
the toys you asked for. So didn't
bring them ! got your second letter
this afternoon and have brought you
your drum and your trumpet and ali
the other things you asked for"
"Oh, golly! Amt that fneT" cried
Bob eleefully.
Come in Santa Claus" cried Captain
| Markham from the living room.
Santa Claus entered, divesting him
self Of the toys he had brought. In
Guiding dolls house for Lucy, which
he said he had left over and which
delighted Lucy very much.
Have you any children, Santa
Ciansf" asked Captain Markham.
"Of course, 1 have a lot Of children
How would know what children wish
for Christmas il l didn't have any OF
my own" s. 4
"Well, l thought yol might answer
Bob's letter in person, so l have pro
yided some gifts for your boys and
girls"
Mrs. Markham produced number
Of packages, which she handed to San
ia Claus, and Captain Markham. reach
ing down into his pocket, produced q
bill
you can't Afford" said the captain
ito spend all your time taking gifts
to children on Christmas for nothing
Santa Claus never takes pay from
any one"
"Well, then, give 1t to Harry. thu
postman, who sent you the letters"
THAT will" said Santa. and. wish
ing all good night and many merr,
Christmoses I'm the future. he went on
into the falling snow.
OF course that Christmas Is remem
bered In the Markham family as the
great Christmas of their lives. The
children told all their friends who hat