Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-12-20
Seeing Santa
Claus
A Christmas Story
For Children
By MARY E. LUNDGREN
Copyright, 1913, by American Press
Association.


swT WAS a few days before Christ
mas, and King Winter was pre-
pairing the roads for Santa Claus
SrS long drive. The snowfakes were
tumbllng over one another to do his
bidding, and Jack Frost shouted to
Donald, who was aattening his nose
against the windowpane, that he
would better stay in the house If he
did not wish to get his ears pinched.
Donald was half past four and
Aunt Made, sitting before the fire,
"half past forty" Early in the for
mers career the two had formed an
exclusive mutual admiration society.
The little boy climbed upon the arm
Of the lady's huge easy chair, and the
two sat cozlly in front of the heater,
gazing thoughtfully into the glowing
Goals that showed through the encir-
cling isingass and made the only light
In the room.
rs Santa Claus our papas and man.
mas, Aunt Madie?'
The Santa Claus | saw certainly
wasn't, Donnie"
did you ever see Santa Claus?
Honest, did your
Lets make 1t a story. Once upon
a tlme long long, ago, when was
a little girl, we were poor, so poor
that Brother Fred lyour papa, Donnie)
and | never got much for Christmas.
We couldn't understand why Santa
Claus did not give the poor lot and
the rich just little to even things up
Mother said 1t was to give the rich
chance to he good to the poor
and the poor chance to grow
good by suffering patiently and then
both would be worthy to celebrate
Chrlsts birthday. t'red's patched suit
hardly kept out the cold, and this
Christmas am talking about | had
such a queer little ache way down in
my heart that some way couldn't get
cured. | told Fred. but he said we
must pretend to be ever 50 much
pleased with whatever we got even II
II should be only u stick Of candy, be-
cause mamma would feel so sorry, and
she didn't have nice things either but
had to work all day long and late
at night sewing for the railroad boys"
"Poor grandma! Let's give her some
thing nice this Christmas. She can
have all my pennies"
"Mammas don't mind so much NOT
having things II their boys and girls
are good. but l am afraid Fred and
worried her sometimes and made her
much trouble. Anyway, that Christ.
mas eve slept with mamma, and
remember we had hardly enough Gov
ering to keep us warm"
"Poor Aunt Made! Did you get cold
and wake up and see Santa Claus
thenT
"I think some kind Of noise awokC
me. II was beautiful night The
moonbeams that crept between thu
curtains sat close TO the shadows, 81
Iently watching, Just like the shepherd
the arst Christmas eve. You remembe
the story, dear7 II was so still that
almost expected to hear the angel
sing. Then, OF course, began to thinl
OF Santa Claus. | wanted and wanted
TO see him. but was dreadfully afrait
/ would. My heart was going pittypa
when-what do you suppose Donnie2-
/ really saw something move In tn
corner"
"And Il was Santa CLAUSE"
at looked like a man, and coul
see by the bobblng Of his l'ad that b
was coming toward me. ! thought
Santa Claus. and thought OF robbers
and did not know what to think"
"what did you do. Aunt Nader
"Rob. bob. went bis head, and b
seemed To he coming clnser and close
was so scared never Thought
mammn az all. or whether she woul
get hurt. surprising II wasn't SAINT
Claus hut slipped under the cover
way down to the foot Of the bed"
~ shut my eyes. put my fingers
my ears and trembled myself to slee
Tor the next thing knew somethir
heavy bounced upon the bed. and the
II was Christmas morning and Frs