The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-27

has been as goods to everybody as he has been to me2
 T would like tos peep over the world as he has done and just for myself the oodles of good things everywlrere,'
 Hester had never known poor Christ mas; she was an only child and seemed a pet, even with dear old Santa. Therefore, she never dreamed of the other little chill dren who might not even have a stock ing to hang or freside by which to hang one.
 She had dear. sweet mother and father and a home of plenty. good things and pretty things. She had been raised alone with nursie and the soyerness. Father was a busy man and mother had her own demands for her time. and they were both afraid for her to get out for the playgrounds to join in the sport and laughter of other children; she might catch something" She could only peep through the window panes when the wind blew, or ride when the sun was shining. There was no playing in the sand piles or gatheEingl the pebbles on the roadside Oh, how much in life she was missing! No child life is natural until they have made a mud cake. The nursery rug was strewn with dolls and doll furniture, wag- ons and dogs: a plano. too, and more good things than one child should sest. Nurse vas busy counting her Joys and Hester drew her new chair to the window and in her arms she carried her favorite new child a great doll. with golden hair and frcck of silk She caught the babe in her arms, held her to her little heart,
 
 quiet, even then.
 Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse" Nursie caught the scene in silence. too; she waited and she listened. Whats your name. little girl; these big, blue eyes; that pretty mouth and not a yvord Oh, myi but what's the use you might be in a great. big house some day like me and with no one to talk to but grown folks. You might fall and soil your dress if you could walk, or you might lay awake at night and early morn with eyes wide open if you could, and wish you had some little girl to talk to. don't have anybody but you little dolls. and you can't say word. l just most wish l was a doll, too Can dolls think, won der?" Ten years old, and little Hester could think too well; she had a plan of life that was all a dream. Just then a timid knock came on the outer door. Nursie opened it, and a great gust of wind came whirling In, and on, how good it felt to the house-kept child, | but with the wind came sure enough child, little girl of scarcely :, dirty | ragged and crying. Does Santa Claus live here?" she said The didn't find his way to our house, and my mama said she spec he was lost. l can show him the way. There are five of us at my house. Hesters great brown eyes filled with tears, and she muttered, ''I wish he had found your house and not mine. Five or you could have had so much fun, and I must play alone. Here, nursie give her my things and all these goodies But nursie whispered to Gretchen, for she had told her name, and back into the house she went. leading the little stranger by the hand. Not that she stayed long, though Hester was worn out with waiting even minute; she wanted to give her doll and all she -.~d Finally in they came. Gretchen was like q new gir-clean and with fresh clothes on and dark brown curles shading sunshny face, and smacldng her rosy lips for she had had a breakfast. too, and held great yellow orange in her hand for mama oh" said Hester, this looks like Christmas now, with a real. live girl to play with; hurry up, nursie, let her come and see"
 
 you did not know its value until you could have seen such joy" said nursie to mama, as she began to take off her wraps. The two little girls got right down on the floor together. and such chattering could only flow from happy hearts. Each doll was introduced to Gretchen, and each in turn received hearty hug. Such sight never met her eyes before In the midst of all her happiness she paused and said: ''I must hun home now and tell Helen and Amy and Fred and Saul that Santa Claus is a good man. he just forgot.
 Oh mo-" said Hester, we must send for them, and bring them here, and let them share my joys today. I will give al! 1 have to make them come.
 The scene appealed to the mother heart and Mrs. Brown felt, as she had never felt before. the real worth of her own pl ecious gift, an unselfish child. The au- tomobe was still at the gate, and nursie and Hester caught hastily their hats and wraps, giving dear little Gretchen warm cloak and cap, and hurried to the drive way, where they snugly packed their guest in the middle and gave the direc- ton to the chauffeur. few minutes brought them to the hovel of despair.
 The windows were closed, and the grate was low with sparks; four little children were wrapped in mothers arms asleep, and mothers lap and eyes were damp with tears, TOT bread was scarce with them. and the chill of want had weakened their hopes, and they had all cried themselves to sleep.
 To sleep-only to be awakened to a hap pier day Hester led the way to the group and with a beaming face she said, Wake up; 1 have come for you: Santa Claus lost his way and left all your things at my house: come on quick and we'll have lots of fun."
 Such hustling never was before; the lit- tie rags that clung to them could not be changed. and mother, barefooted. too.
 'Never mind, when you get to my house we'll find all you need and more too. and mama is waiting to make your mama glad she came"
 They drove 'in jiffy to the nome of the Browns, and the doors swung wide to welcome the guests, and papa had come to help us play.
 Mrs Brown was equal to tn emergency, although such scene she had never wit messed before. The guests each received the warmest kind of welcome, and Mamma Wells" was given a cup of tea and asked to lie down and rest while nursie helped to care for the children. Mamma Wells had a room of her own, bath and clean nightie and a warm, nice bed. She slept-nor dreamed-she was half dead; the strain had broken her nerves; she sobbed and slept in turn.
 Nursie gave the children their bath fresh clothes, shoes and stockings, fruit and then breakfast all the fun and toys that made them forget yester- jay. new day had dawned.