The Ozark spectator., 1916-12-13

deep emotion.
 Goodnight, sweetheart, have wait ed forty years; surely the end cannot be far distant p he murmured\ as he softly closed the gate.
 There came a jingling of sleigh bells "a sleigh drove up, he entered and was whirled away over the snow.
 In tiny little hovel on the edge of the city five little curly-hedded chil- dren, dressed in old and ragged but clean clothes were grouped around small fire trying to keep warm. Their mother was sewing for living, her husband having died several years ago, leaving the children to her to provide for, and being a woman of good educa- ton, she was trying to rear her chil' 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 con- ing?' inquired little Billy.
 For while mother didn't seem to want to say anything. 4 large tear fell silently on her work. With q nasty movement, almost angrily, she brushed it aside.
 Perhaps he won't come at all P she replied with little catch in her voice.
 "N-o-o-o-ol" came a chorus of un- believing voices from the fire.
 He is comingw
 Suddenly there came a jingling of bells and sleigh drew up in front of the home.
 "Whoop!" yelled Johnny. Come on kids-Santa Claus! My eyew
 In an instant the fire was deserted and five little heads were peering eag- erly out of the door.
 Gee willikinsl Look at the toys !"
 Well, we'll" said Santy in q loud voice. pretending not to see the little ones. T hope the children are all in bed tonight. for if they are not, l 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 1 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 q splinter, and there came a subdued grunt from the bed which changed to ftful, sleepy kind of cough as the "old fellow turned around The snores redoubled iu vol ume. Old Santy handed mother a sealed envelope and departed before she could sufficiently recover from her confusion and surprise to thank him. It was addressed to her, so she broke the seal. The sur{ and substance of 1t was, that the house and property of Fanchion and something like five hun death of Perry Fanchion.
 So at last the identity of the mys- terious Santa Claus and the friend of the poor and unfortunate was dis closed.
 Her home was only one of the many to which he had been that night. To- morrow they would honor him. They would come one and all to thank him, to praise him, to bless hin-perhaps to beg for more as the case might be.
 The sleigh stopped at the Fanchion 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 WearineSs of the soul, the sore ness of a broken heart, all cOnsplred against him. Wearily he slid out of the disguise. Ills eyes wandered with 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 grinned and the cruel claws gripped.
 He drew one of the heavy old chairs up before the dying embers and cast down, lowing his head far over into the grate. Closer he huddled. What was this dreadful chill that seemed to be taking possession of hls body? His great sorrow preyed upon him.
 "Oh, God!" he murmured; "I can stand it no longer"
 Something gentle and soft stroked his hair his hair that was white as snow. Two arms encireled him lov- ingly.
 He looked up, at first unbelievingly and then wonderful smile lit up his face.
 Nelly" he exclaimed joyously "At last you have come for me. I knew you would l thank Thee o --"
 His voice trailed away in the dis tance.
 The fire died out and the faces no longer grined, but seemed to smile in the darkness. Far off, just as the dawn was breaking the chimes rang out their message. Was 1t fancy or