The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-01

gravity observation-disclosures that would have adorned
a grown-up Feeling therefore, the family load, his
injured foot and the consequent suspension of his aoo
gave Jack great Not that starvation was
threatened milkman, following private
conference with Herr Bernstein called by thae
had voluntary word that they would trust
Bat- ,4ew Christmas what sstz should 60
with and grace the day. Jack inclined TO take the
subject heart be troubled thereby BABY
Paul looked forward to the festival as matter OF
instinct. Robbie did the hopeful ofshoot
of instinct added experience which covered two
chrstsnases Bobne had clear memory Of those TWO
chrstmases each celebrated by turkey and summary
gifts entrancingly gaudy-
Also children had been told tho marvellous story
OF Kringe: implicitly believing the same they
nursed mistaken faith in a coming Christmas opu-
lence Indeed the very snow gave aid to their anueh
pations being pointed by Bobbie, who discussed
business with baby Paul that the roofs would be in
prime condition afford Kris Krnge and his reindeer
every possible sleighing facility.
This Kris kringe talk between Bobhie and baby
took place after Miss Clancy had looked In to
trim the Week evening lamp. The two hearabie
church bells ringing e o'clock at the time The
sleigh and reindeer views Bobb'e baby Paul
dered Jack head of the household. quite desperate
Under the circumstances he summoned heart nd
resolved a. explanation 1t bad of course
be obliged explain but 1t was better than bald,
daybreak disappointment next morning. Bobbie and
baby Paul then settling where their stockings
ought to hang TO best attract the rendered ones
attention.
Bobbie particular deemed this question Of stocking
extremely important For" he wen said.
Santa Claus viii have much to do, and boys
look after. that he can't stay place long and
better fix stockings him all thu
trouble
1t stocking earnestness. mounting
thusiasm that decided Jack speak fully out The word
fairly In his mouth ne halted No. he couldn't
lay bare baby Paul emptiness that Kris Kringle
myth; baby Paul too young. The to believe
early. while 1t takes years give strength
enough to disbeAeva
After baby Paul had been filed away in a kind of
truckle bed, like small human document proper
pieeonhole and Jack and Bobbe-wbo silent together
oind ia tepea fhAirn
began softly and cautiously the light concerning
Christmas and the of the coming
ing upon the 'darkened Bobbie.
Jack the ice broken, gave Bobbie his
honor the head of the house of Week. that nothing
of truth abode in Kris Krnge and his sleigh loaded
with gifts lie said that poverty. born of his sprained
foot consequent monetary inability buy pres
ents, obliged him to confess much. He these
things 0 Bobhe. since he rely upon that
manhood which belonged with Boobies great of
s to support the truth
what m baby Paul. concluded Jack
in real distress Hes too little that Santa Claus
is only joke, an amt got SO much as nickel to
get him anything"
Beheae lay silently thinking last he whispered
lack. all mother told wasn't joke was it? Wat
she said about prayin. an heaven answerin' your
prayers. true?"
Sure said jack mother told $ about prayin
is all right. But have prayed
THAT only Now-Ilay-me prayer" returned
Bobbie. as began scrambling OF bed. I'm goin
pray for Christmas presents l won't say anything
about Santa Claus, he continued. rejecting that 1t
might the part OF sagacty to avoid overlooking his
prisons drift OF detail whom and how; I'm
just pray presents for baby Paul. and stop"
/ shall write down what Bobbe said. the
manner OF that saying. The truth is. and
well a clean breast of 1t. l couldn't do 1t II
tried. asks the gentle genius of Goldsmith
or a Lamb, I'm much too lamely suited, too much
lacking in sentiment and softness of touch to even
approach What will say. however. is that
just Bobbie pronounced Amen, the bells went boom
ing ocock-S o'clock.
The snow, which is old fashioned in Its impulses.
caring nothing for regions riches falling in Fifth
avenue with the silent white inveteracy that
marked IN the burying of
the little Weeks rear Mr.. George Van Brent.
dallying after-dnner menthe gag
ing Idly ont OF Delmonicos windows. -four
in the steady falling something restful to the
imagination Up and down outside went slelghs. with
arched bows of juggling BELLS plumes In the
tossing headstas and in the splashboards the
seghs: pumes and bows OF bells Russian, and
our smart set, which 3 Russian English or
something elseonly it isn't American
therefore vugar-had decided that in Its seghng it
would copy Petersburg.
across slken ladies rustling and out
OF Sherrys. while precise gentlemen In evening clothes
danced polite attendance them. Mr. Van Brent had
with this of thing since
a memory. He hear the bells; he failed to mark
siiken women, being interested in snow,
pure and and clean and
Brent pnching the slim stem of his
glass pufnng occasional cigar smoke he weary
the edge OF despair.
Worn the world played out and empty without con,
think Of nothing he desired to have he'd like
fence Having everything YOU can want nothing; and
without want where should be the joy Of getting? Only
those who burned thirst know the cool
or water
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