The daily Alaskan., 1912-12-20

fore he reached Mrs. Markham's. whet be did the lady came to the door, and Harry handed her the letter, From lethargy her whole being sprang intc life. With trembling hand she tore open the letter, ran t over and caught at a newel post in the ball for support Harry waited, eagerly watching Der till she said in broken sentences:
 Picked lIp-carried all overcoming home for Christmusw
 Harry went on without a word, fol he knew that nothing he could say would receive attention, bnt the next morning, when delivering circular he stopped and learned more about tht situation.
 q have Eob's letter to santa Claus ih my pocket" he said, "and I would Ike your permission to open it, that may give him something he has asked for
 This led to a bit of conversation be tween the lady and Harry. In which q scheme for the delectation of the chil dren was arranged, for now that the dead had been restored to life Mrs Markham was eager to make as much as possible of the coming Christmas.
 Captain Markham reached hls home on Christmas eve, While detained ou the way he had provided Christmas gifts for his family, but when he drove up to his home leaving them 10 the cab he sT,rang into the arms of hii wife and hugged his children, forget ting all about the gifts tlll be saw the cabman lugglng them into the house The children were ln ecstasles that their father had come home for Christ mas, and Bob's first remark, character istic of childhood, was:
 "Now I write that letter Co Santa Claus T1l git two lots of presents
 That was a merry Christmas eve in deed. Mrs Markham told Lucy fot the first time that her father had been wrecked and had been given up for dead; that he had gone down with his ship, come up and got on to a portion of the deck Of his vessel which had burst or when she sank. From there he had been taken In a starving condi. ton by a passing ship and was too tai gone 10 give an account of himself fot some time. At last he found himself at Cane Town. South Africa, and had yvrltten tbe letter which had been re celved as soon as he was able to do SO. As for Bob, he was too young Co un. 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.
 'I tell you what you do, Bob said his father Write or ask Lucy Co write another letter to Santa Claus reminding him that he has left out just the things you wanted and you'd like Co 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 Markham wrote the letter, and when Harry came round with 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 a ring at the bell, and Bob was biddcn to answer the sum mons. There in the doorway stood Santa Claus himself, covered with snow.
 "Is there little boy here named Bobg he asked
 "Yes. I'm Bob"
 "Well. I came to say that received your letters. but since I am all over the world at the same time I knew that your father was in South Africa and would be home in time to get you