The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-12-26

lore ne reached MrS. Markham 8. Wne0
he did the lady came to the door, and
Harry handed her the letter. From
lethargy her whole being sprang into
life With trembling hand she tore
open the letter. ran it over and caught
at newell post i'm the hail for support.
Harry waited. eagerly watching her.
till she said in broken sentences:
Picked up-carried all overcoming
home for christmas.
Harry went OH without Il word. for
he knew that nothing lac could say
would receive attention. but the next
morning. when delivering circular
he StopEe ed and learned more about the
situation
Il have Bob'S letter to Santa Clans in
my pocket" he said. and | would like
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 a
scheme for the deiectation of the chill
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 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:
"NOw l write that letter to Santa
Claus Ill git two lots of presents
That was merry Christmas eve in
deed Mrs. Markham told Lucy for
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 off when she sank. From there
ton by passing ship and 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-
ceived as soon as he was able to do so.
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.
Il tell you what you do. Bob" said
his father. Write or 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 it 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. ard when Harry came
round with q 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 sun,
mons. There in the doorway stood
Santa Claus himself. covered with
| snow.
SIS there little boy here named
| Bob" he asked
Yes. I'm Bob"
| "Well. | came to say that received
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 all
the other things you asked for"
"Oh. golly. Amt that fne?" cried
Bob gleefully.
| "Come in. Santa Claus" cried Captain
| Markham from the living room.
| Santa Claus entered. diyesting him