The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-01-23
Harry,
the Postwar
How He Delivered a
Child's Letter to
Santa Claus
n mr. It'll I'D AIlAhH
By RUTH GRAHAM

Os~s.s.s-s-s.s.s-s.s-e"s
Mamma, will papa come home for
Christmas and bring US some nice
presentsr'
The mother turned away to hide her
tears from her little girl and did nor
reply for some time. Then she said:
mo. dear. Papa will not be home
for Christmas" She did not add, Papa
will never come home" II would have
been unnecessary, fos by the time an
other Christmas came round his chill
dren, who were very young. would
have forgotten their father.
"Well, them" said Bob. a boy OF five,
II suppose I'll have to write letter to
Santa Claus and tell him to bring me
twice as many toys, because my papa
isn't going to bring me- any at all"
Him." said his sister Lucy. I'D
like to know how you're going to do
that since you can't write"
"Mamma'll do 1t for me-"
"Lucy. you'd better do 1t for him..
said the mother.
So Lucy went for some writing mate
rails and brought them to the dining
room table. for. writing being no easy
matter with her. she required plenty OF
room. and after much labor including
the erasure of blots and u number OF
errors. completed the following letter:
Dere Santa Claus-My papa went to sea
on his ship. the Penguin. long time ago
and can't come home fur Christmas. So
won't get any presents from him this
yere So | want you to bring EN- all
Bring me drum. trumpet, box OF
paints, a jewsharp. some games and box
of ninepins. Your loving
BOB MARKHAM.
p. S-Don't forget the drum.
The letter having been finished. the
children waited the arrival of Hurry.
the postmnn, who had delivered let
ters at the house before the children
were born and who always had some
thing to say to them whenever he
handed them q letter-for Bob delight
ed to receive the maitland as soon as
he came along Bob. handing him his
missive. said:
Harry. want you TO be sure to
send it to Santa Claus. VIII your
II certainly will, replied Harry. I'll
put 1t with the other letters for Santa
Claus. There are ten bags full for
him, all from little children"
And Harry tramped on. making
rounds day after day regularly. and
sometimes II seemed endless AZ the
Journeys Of the earth around the sun.
But he didn't put Bob's letter with the
other letters to Santa Claus: he put
It In his pocket. intending to find out
what the boy especially wanted for
Christ mas and supply 1t himself He
was very fond Of the child and had
been the recipient of many gifts from
his parents.
II wish.e unused the postman. that
I could take hts mother letter say
ing that Captain Markham would be
home for Christmas Bad business.
the loss of his ship! wouldn't like
to be master Of vessel to see when
she is sinking. the crew saving them
selves and having to go down under
the black water myself. Ugh! They
can talk about bounding over the bill
lows all they like. It's a different
thing when the pillows bound over
you
So unused the postman at the loss Of
the Penguin. which he knew all about
and Of which Lucy and Bob had never
been told. Those Of the crew who had
saved themselves reported that their
captain had refused to leave his post
and they had come away In the boats
without him. Some OF them said that
they saw the stern Of the ship rise
out Of the water and her bow plunge
down under q wave, after which she
was never seen again. Others declared
that at that very moment the fog be-
came thicker and shut her or from
view.
The Penguin had struck an lee
berg and had never been seen again.
Since four months had elapsed with
no news of her no one doubted that
she had gone to the bottom.
1t was with a heavy heart that Mrs.
Markham made her preparations for a
Christmas which was to take place
without her husband. Since their mar
riage Captain Markham had not missed
single Christmas at home. being In
command Of a coaster which made
short trips. which enabled him to part
~ control his time. His widow would
have preferred to pass the day without
noticing it, but n. that It was due to
her children to tN.vw of 90 much Of
her sorrow as possible, that they might
enjoy the little peoples favorite ami
versnry.
One morning Harry, the postman. was
arranging his mail for delivery when
kis eyes fell upon letter that made
them stand out In his head. That hand
writing he had seen on many a letter
before, but he had never delivered any
IF them postmarked from so distant
bort. foc the Letter bad been maize.
w. &. MAxcY, D. n. MAxCY. n. T. JACOBS
President. Vice President Asst.Casf