The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-12-23

the city five little curly-headed chill
dren, dressed in old and ragged but
clean clothes were grouped around a
small fire trying to keep warm. Their
mother was sewing for living, her
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 hav-
Ing a desperate struggle and day by
day she saw with despair the fight
growing harder and harder.
Mother, when is Santa Claus COM
ing2" inquired little Billy.
For a while mother didn't seem to
want to say anything. A large tear
| fell silently on her work. With
hasty movement, almost angrily, she
brushed it aside.
| perhaps he won't come at all !" she |
replied with little catch in her voice. |
| "N-o-o-o-o!" came a chorus Of I'M
believing voices from the fire.
''He is coming!"
Suddenly there came a jingling Of
bells and a sleigh drew up in front Of
the home.
"Whoop" 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 toysp
"Well, WELL" said Sanity in a loud
voice, pretending not to see the little
ones. Il hope the children are all
in bed tonight, for if they are not, I
will not come again."
Five curly heads vanished in 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.
4 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 splinter, and there came
!. subdued grunt from the bed which
changed to fitful, sleepy kind of
cough as the "old fellow" turned
around. The shores redoubled in vol
ume. Old Sanity handed mother q
sealed envelope and departed before
= she could sufficiently recover from her
4 confusion and surprise to thank him
= 1t was addressed to her, so she broke
the seal. The sum and substance Of II
was, that the house and property OF
Fanchion and something like five hun
bred dollars were to be hers upon the
death Of Perry Fanchion.
So at last the identity Of the mys
terious Santa Claus and the friend o.
the poor and unfortunate was dis
closed.
~ Her home was only one Of the man!
to which he had been that night. To
" morrow they would honor him. The!
Or would come one and all to thank him
to praise him, to bless him-perhap
~ to beg for more as the case might be
ne The sleigh stopped at the Fanchiol
IL homestead and old Santa Claus pail
Of the driver and entered the house.
Perry was weary and as he walke'
is down the dark, gloomy hall he almos
r. dropped with fatigue. Fatigue of tn
ne body, WEAKNESS of the soul, the sore
e. ness of a broken heart, all conspire
rs against him! YEARLY he slid out O
Id the disguise. His eyes wandered wit
a pitiful expression over the empty
On dark room. None came to welcom
he him. No one to love or care for him
o. She had gone on before. Perhaps sh
ds was waiting for him up there now. III
q didn't know. The blood-chilling face
grinned and the cruel claws gripped
lie, He drew one Of the heavy old chair
re up before the dying embers and cas-
ID, down, bowling his head far over int
IS the crate. Closer he huddled. Wha
nd was this dreadful chill that seemed t
lis be taking possession of his body? Hi
great sorrow preyed upon him.
I'd "Oh, God~ he murmured; Il cal
ut stand it no longer"
Sc Something gentle and soft strokes
1t, his hairl his hair that was white a
mt snow. Two arms encircled him low
&C. ingly.
e. He looked up, at first unbelievlngly
ke and then a wonderful smile lit up hi
te, face.
IS "Nellyr he exclaimed, joyously. "a
1T last you have come for me. l knew yo'
IL would / thank Thee o -"
ng His voice trailed away in the dis
lance.
he The fire died out and the faces m
lie. longer grined, but seemed to smile
ry in the darkness. Far off, just as tn
70 dawn was breaking, the chimes RAM
n out their message. Was 1t fancy o
ly did soul far out in space echo:
e. "Glory to God in the highest ant
s. on earth peace good will toward men,
Ii Perry was at rest