Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-12-22
Christmas Eve In New France.

; housekeeper, lived alone in great weather.
} beaten old mansion on the river road. He
lived very secluded kind of life, was sell
, dom seen upon the streets of the town.
and attracted little attention when he was
seen. There were hardly ten people in
the place that knew the man or anything
concerning his life.
Yet there had been time in the life of
Perry Fanchion when he had attracted a
great deal of attention. and won the SYM
pathy and pity of the whole town, That
had been over forty years ago. and in the
meantime the town had changed from a
village into city. The old families had
died out and the younger generation had
forgotten the history of Perry Fanchion.
1t was Christmas Eve night and bitterly
cold Sleet and snow drove with incessant
fury against the French windows. The
heavy old oak doors ratified and shook,
while the wind shrilled mournfully among
the many old-fashioned gables and Chin
neys
Perry sat gazing into the fire. His hair
was snow-white, his eyes were dark and
tonight they had a tragic. gloomy look.
On the old colonial furniture the sinister
faces carved there grinned horribly and
the iron claws seemed to grip the floor
hard. as though they we're REFRESHING some
dark emotion or evil thought.
Forty years ago this night Perry was
happy man. for tomorrow he was to marry
the beautiful Miss Nelly Leroy. daughter
of the rector Of st. Agnes.
But that great factor in the events of a
mans career. fate. willed otherwise, for
only few days before the wedding was
to take place the bride-to be was stricken
with fatal illness and less than a week
later was laid away in the village grave
yard.
After the funeral Perry Fanchion shut
himself up. almost alone. in the great
house. Time moved on and people for
Got One by one his friends left him, until
at last he stood alone. stranger in
stranger world
About this time the poorer people, the
destitute Of the city. became aware of the
fact that they had friend. very good.
mysterious friend. mysterious because, try
as they might (and didD they never could
discover his identity.
One time when a severe landlord was
about to turn poor family out of the home
they lived in, because they were not able
to pay the rent. that family found the re-
quired amount and short note asking
them to accept the money as a gift. by the
fireplace. Several times incidents like this
occurred among the unfortunate, but as to
where these mysterious presents came
from, or by whom presented. none could
ever tell But the children suspected Santa
Claus Of having hand in the matter.
Tonight as Perry sat by the fire he was
very sad and very. very lonesome. The
town clock struck ten. Perry arose, donned
a huge fur coat TO play his little act
bravely A worn. tired smile played around
his usually grim mouth as he thought of
the scenes of joy and poverty he would
witness this night. He crossed the town
with rapid, nervous strides and entered a
little family burying ground. He was gone
for thirty minutes and when he returned
his face showed traces Of deep emotion.
Goodnight. sweetheart, | have waited
forty years; surely the end cannot be far
distant r. he murmured as he softly closed
the gate.
There came jingling Of sleigh bells
sleigh drove up. he entered and was
whirled over the snow.
In tiny little howell ON the edge of the
city five little curly headed children, dress
ed in old and ragged but clean clothes
were grouped around small fire trying to
keep warm. Their mother was sewing for
a living, her husband having died several
years ago. leaving the children to her to
provide for, and being woman Of good
education, she was trying to rear her chill
dren as best she might. She was having
a desperate struggle and day by day she
saw with despair the fight growing harder
and harder.
Mother, when is Santa Claus coming ?"
inquired little Billy.
For a while mother didn't seem to want
to say anything. A large tear fell silently
on her work With a hasty movement.
almost angriy. she brushed it aside.
Perhaps he won't come at all r. she
replied with little catch In her voice.
"N-o-o-o-o !" came chorus Of unbeliev-
ing voices from the fire.
"He is coming T.
Suddenly there came jingling of bells
and sleigh drew up in front OF the home
"Whoopr' yelled JOHNNY. Come on kids
Santa Claus My eye r.
In an instant the fire was deserted and
five little heads were peering eagerly out
Of the door
Gee Wilkins Look at the toys r.
We'll. well" said Sanity In loud voice.
pretending not to see the little ones. IL
hope the children are all in bed tonight,
for If they are not. will not come again"
Five curly heads banished in second.
and when the old gentleman entered the
room all were tucked snugly in bed-that
is all but Billy. who in his excitement and
hurry pulled all the cover over his head
and left his feet and body uncovered.
Santa Claus laughed and dumped the
contents Of his pack near the hearth.
There were drums. dolls, tin soldiers. books.
candy. nuts and fireworks.
Just at this moment Billys toe rubbed
up a splinter, and there came subdued
grunt from the bed which changed to q
fitful sleepy kind Of cough as the ''old
fellow" turned around. The shores redou-
bled in volume. Old Sanity handed mother
sealed envelope and departed before she
could sufficiently recover from her confu-
sion and surprise to thank him. It was
n. he. Oh n.