The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-01-23

"Nothin', only there's likely to be a
big Christmas gift to one Of the parties
on my route"
Harry hurried through sorting the
balance of his letters and began his
round. 1t seemed longer than usual be-
fore he reached Mrs. Markham's. When
he did the lady came to the door and
Harry handed her the letter. FrOu
lethargy her whole being sprang into
life. With Il trembling hand she tore
open the letter. ran it over aud caught
at newell post In the hall for support
Harry waited. eagerly watching her
till she said In broken sentences:
picked up-carried all overcoming
,, home for Christmas
Harry went on without word. for
he 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 Bob's letter to Santa Claus 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 bit Of conversation be-
tween the lady and Harry. in which a
scheme for the delectation 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 @ecstasles that
their father had come home for Christ
mas, and Bob's first remark. character
istic of childhood. was:
"Now / write that letter to Santa
Claus I'll git two lots Of presents"
That was a merry Christmas eve iu-
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 portion
Of the deck of his vessel which had
burst off when she sank. From there
he had been taken In a starving coLdi-
ton by passing ship and was too far
gone TO give an account OF himself for
some time. At last he found himself
ut Cape Town. South Africa. and had
written the letter which had been re-
eelved as soon as he was able to do 80.
As for Bob. he was too young to un-
derstand the matter. t.,.
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.
Fl 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 10 have him get them for you at
once. Harry makes one delivery to-
day and viii be here about noon. Give
him your letter and tell him to see
that SantasClaus gets It right away.
Bob failed to get Lucyiidown 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
cd 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. h
els there little boy here named
BobT' he asked. F~
Eyes. TN Bob" g
"well, came to say that I received
your letters, but since I 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 f1ne?" cried
Bob gleefully.
"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 a dolls house for Lucy. which
he said he had left over and which
delighted Lucy very much.
"Have you any children. Santa
Claus7" asked Captain Markham.
'>Of course, I have a lot Of children.
How would know what children wish
for Christmas If I didn't have any of
my own?' W.
"Well. thought you, might answer
Bob's letter In person. 80 l have pro-
vided some gifts for your boys and
girls" +
Mrs. Markham produced number
Of packages, which she handed to San
tn Claus, and Captain Markham. reach
ing down into his pocket. produced
bin. 7,1 @s1
you can't Afford" said the captain.
ITO spend all your time taking gifts
30 children on Christmas for nothing"
"Santa Claus never takes pay from
any one" y
We'll, then, give It to Harry. the
postman, who sent you the letters"
THAT I will" said Santa. and. wish