The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-12-17

way out OF many difficulty without let
ting their beloved mistress know how hard it was
for them, for she was sad and troubled, and they
tried to spare her as much as possible.
But now as nanny prepared the table for The
evening meal, signing over the plain food she
must set before Miss Sallie, her heart was full Of
new worry, which she could not keep to her
self.
Laws. Miss Sae, I do suttinly dislike ter
trnbbc YOU, but | don't see nohow what Use
gwne to do bout dem chun."
"Why nanny, what is the matterl They are
usually so good"
"Deys les dc best chun de sun shines on;
dey amt one mite oh trubblc but Christmas is
comm, an dey shualy expec's some gifts like dey
ulster have. and no boxes gwine come from DER
aunts an DER grandma dis yeah, an Marse
George he off wild Marse Lee, an we amt got
no gifts fer dem pore babies. Dey ken in my
kitchen, an dey whispered up de chimbly ter
Sanity Claus what dey wanted an, Miss Sallie.
dey wants right smart oh things, an we got
nuthin', an how we gwne git EN- wild dc country
full OF Yanksl | study an study, an pears
like don't sec no way out
"Wcll nanny, | will explain 10 them they
are so thoughtful and consderate | think they
will understand; and when this war is over, il
my husband comes back"
"Marse George gwinc come back, honey; he
come back suah."
"T'hen we shall be so happy that they will
forget the horrors OF this dreadful time. ] think
we can trim the house with greens, and perhaps
have u Christmas tree; and there is the white
sugar have savcd-you may take that and make
some candy for them"
"1es n ILL candy fer dem chillun dat's had
cberything money could buyl But we cyan't do
no betiah' and nanny went TO call the two
innocent little causes OF her dilemma TO supper.
While she was washing the dishes, hall hour
later. she thought how little was required after
all, to make the children happy, and she bright
ened up considerably However, like many other
conspirators, she overdid the matter and in her
anxiety TO have the surprise complete one,
she determined 10 lead the children to expect
nothing at all. So when she was putting them
to bed she stopped their chatter about Christ
mas and Santa Claus with
"What you.all talkin' bout How dill you
think SANITY Claus gwne git trough dem Yanks
lineY Specs dey gwinc catch him an kill him,
suah' and she took the light and hurried away to
escape their questions
ooh, brother, how dare they| came with a sob
from one little bed
"Thcv won't" in tones that tried to be manly,
came the answer from the other.
But nanny said So.
"Wcll. NANNY was wrong about the butter
pillar-so she don't know everything and don't
believe even Yankees are so dreadful bad, as
serted the little boy.
But. brother-my gracious, he's aslecpT and
poor Ruth tried to shut her eyes up tight and
forget her troubles, but she was wide awake an
hour afterwards. in spite OF her efforts.
-Oh," she said. suddenly, "I think We ought to-
think it's our duty. Brother. brother, wake up!
We have got to go to the Yankee captain and beg
him not to hurt Santa Claus
why, sister how could VIC get away? Be
sides, YOU would be afraid and cry. Where are
you going|
awe can't tell nanny, 'causc she wouldn't let
us go. and mamma would worry; but when we
get back and tell them we have saved santa
Claus life, they will be so glad. | think it's
not wrong for us to GO
"What are you going to say 10 the Yankee
''He is soldier like papa and I'm sure my
papa would be good to little girls and boys but
we must save Santa Claus anyway
The very next day the opportunity they were
watching for came. Their mother had severe
headache. and while NANNY was busy caring for
her the two children slipped of. II was a long
walk TO the Yankee camp but they trudged
bravely on.
GLOW tired papa must be when he marches
''Yes. Sometimes they walk all day. Oh,
Teddy. there are the tentsl ! think am afraid
you promised you were not going to cry
"Im not That big soldier is coming over
here"
A tall soldier came to the children, now fright
ened and trembling, but who had no idea Of Civ
ing up the object Of their visit to the camp
"Well. my hearties, what brings YOU here"
His CHEEKY voice and the twinkle in his eyes re-
assured the little ones.
please, we want to see the captain gasped
Teddy.
They were led past rows Of tents, the other
soldiers Joking with their guide as they went by
and after while, they never knew quite how,
ihev found Themselves talking with YANKEE