The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-12-19

returned his face showed traces Of
deep emotion.
Goodnight, sweetheart, have wait
ed forty years; surely the end cannot
be far distantl" 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 howell on the edge Of
the city five little curly-headed chill
dren, dressed in old and ragged but
clean clothes were grouped around q
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 chill
dren as best she might. She was hay
ing a desperate struggle and day by
day she saw with despair the fight
growing harder and harder.
Mother, when is Santa Claus COM
lng?" inquired little Billy.
For while mother didn't seem to
"uht w Say "A AoAbV WA
fell silently on her work. With
hasty movement, almost angrily, she
brushed 1t aside.
perhaps he won't come ut all |" she
replied with little catch in her voice.
"N-o-o-O-Ow came q chorus Of I'M
believing voices from the fire.
'He is comingI'
| CuJIapIy tbarA ropoo lin OlinO ~
bells and sleigh drew up in front of
the home.
"Whoopi" yelled Johnny. "Come on
kids-Santa Claus! Ny eyer
| In an instant the fire was deserted
and five little heads were peering Gag
erly out Of the door.
Gee Wilkins! Look at tho toys r.
well, 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
win not come again"
Five curly heads vanished in q Sec
ond. and when the old gentleman en-
tered the room all were tucked snug
ly in bed-that IL 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 ut this moment Bllly's toe
rubbed up a splinter, and there came
subdued grunt from the bed which
changed TO u ntful. sleepy kind OF
cough as the "old fellow" turned
around. The snores redoublsd in vol
ume. Old Sanity handed mother Q
sealed envelope and departed before
she could sufficiently recover from her
confusion and surprise to thank him
1t was addressed to her, so she broke
the seal. Ths sum and substance of II
was. that tbs house and property Of
Fanchion and something IKE Eve hun
dred dollars were 10 be hers upon the
death of Perry Fnnchion.
SO at last the identity of the mys
FERROUS Santa Claus and the friend OF
the poor and unfortunate was diD
closed.
Her homo was only one Of the ma NJ
to which he had been that night To
, morrow they would honor him TheJ
would como one and all to thank him
TO praise him. to bless hm-psrhap'
, to beg for more ~ the case might be
|, The sleigh stopped At the Fanchisl
homestead and old Santa Claus pait
I the driver and entered the house.
Perry was weary and as he wnlket
5 down the dark, gloomy hall he almos
: dropped with fatigue. Fatigue Of tn
0 body, WEAKNESS Of the soul, the sore
: ness Of broken heart, all conspire'
5 against him! YEARLY he slid out o
] the disguise. His eyes wandered wit
piuful expression over the empty
n dark room. None came to welcom
o him. No one to love or care for hin
= She had gone on before. Perhaps sh
$ was waiting for him up there now. II
a } didn't know. The blood-chilling face
grinned and the cruel claws grippet
;, He drew one Of the heavy old chair
o UP before the dying embcrs and cas-
!, down, bowling his head far over int
;. the CRATE. Closer he huddlcd. Whn
d was this dreadful chill that seemed I
IS be taking possession Of his body? Hi
great sorrow preyed upOr him.
al "Oh, GOdw he murmurcd; ~ ca
It stand II no longer"
e Something gentle and soft stroke
{, his hair his hair that was white &
It snow Two arms enclrcled him 10,
70 lngly.
e. He looked up at Gr3t uubellcylngl
% ana then wonderful smile lit up IA
e, face.
g. "Nolly" he exclaimed joyously. ~
{. last YOU have come for me. knew yc
i. would / thank Thee o -"
e His voice trailsd away in the d.
lance.
ie The FIRE died out and the faces 7
e. longer grined, hut. seemed to smi
~ IN the darkness. Far of. just as u