Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1916-12-15


cept the money as a gift, by the fire
place. Several times incidents like
this occurred among the unfortunate,
but as to where these mysterious pres
ents came from, or by whom present
ed, none could ever tell. But the chill
dren suspected Santa Claus OF having
Il 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 huge fur coat to
play his little act brayely. A worn,
tired smile played around his usually
grim moth 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
little family burying ground. He was
gone for thirty minutes and when he
returned his face showed traces Of
deep emotion.
Goodnight, sweetheart, have wait
|
be far Distant" he murmured as he
softly closed the gate.
There came juggling Of sleigh bells
II sleigh drove up, he entered and
was whlrled away over the snow.
| In II tiny little howell ON the edge Of
the city five little curly-headed chill
dren, dressed In Old and ragged but
/ clean clothes were grouped around II
small fire trying TO keep warm. Their
mother was sewing for II living, her
husband having died several years ago,
leaving the children To her 10 provide
for, and being woman of good educa
ton, she was trying 10 rear her chill
dren as best she might. She was hay.
Ing desperate struggle and day by
day she saw with despair the fight
growing harder and harder
Mother, when Is Santa Claus com
ing?' inquired little Billy.
For while mother didn't seem TO
! want to say anything. A large tear
fell silently on her work. With a
hasty movement, almost angrily, she
brushed 1t aside.
! Perhaps he won't come al all e. She
replied with little catch in her voice.
"N-O-o-o-Oi' came u chorus of un-
believing voices from the fire.
He Is coning!'
Suddenly there came jingling of
bells and sleigh drew up In front of
the home.
"Whoopw yelled Johnny. Come on
kids-Santa Claus! My eye"
In an instant the fire was deserted
and five little heads were peering Gag
erly out of the door.
"Gee Wilkins Look at the toys I"
swell, well,' said Sanity in a loud
voice, pretending not to see the little
ones. II hope the children are all
in bed tonight, for If they are not, I
will not come again."
Five curly heads vanished In a sec
ond, and when the old gentleman en-
tered the room all were tucked snug
ly In bed-that is all but Billy, who
In his excitement and hurry pulled all
the cover up 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 Billy's toe
rubbed up a splinter, and there came
subdued grunt from the bed which
changed to htful, sleepy kind Of
cough as the "old fellow" turned
around. The snores redou5led in vol
ume. Old Sanity handed mother
sealed envelope and departed before
she could sufficiently recover from her
confusion and surprise to thank him.
II was addressed to her, so she broke
the seal. The sum and substance of it
was, that the house and property Of
Fanchion and something like five hun
dred dollars were to be hers upon the
death of Perry Fanchion.
FERROUS Santa Claus and the friend Of
the poor and unfortunate was dis
closed
Her home was only one of the many
10 which he had been that night. To
morrow they would honor him. They
would come one and all to thank him,
10 praise him, to bless him perhaps
TO beg for more as the case might be.
The sleigh stopped at the Fanchlon
homestead and old Santa Claus paid
the driver and entered the house.
Perry was weary and as he walked
down the dark, gloomy hall he almost
dropped with fatigue. Fatigue of the
body WEAKNESS of the soul the sore
ness of Il broken heart, all cOnsplred
against him! YEARLY he slid ont of
the disguise. His eyes wandered with
q pitiful expression over the empty,
dark room. None came to welcome
him No one to love or care for him.
She had gone on before. Perhaps she
Was waiting for him up there now. He
didn't know. The blood-chilling faces
grnned and the cruel claws gripped.
He drew one of the heavy old chairs
up before the dying embers and cast
down, bowling his head far over into
the crate. Closer he huddled. What
was this dreadful chill that seemed to
be taking possession of his body? His
great sorrow preyed upon him.
"Oh, God" he murmured; Il can
stand II no longer"
Something gentle and soft stroked
his hair his hair that was white as
snow. Two arms encircled him low
ingly.
He looked up, at first unbelievlngly.
and then wonderful smile lit up his
face
nelly p he exclaimed, joyously. "At
last you have come for NE knew you
would / thank Thee O ="
His voice trailed away In the dis
fnnca