The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-12-24
AND HER PRAYER
IS ANSWERED
BY MEMORY M'coRo.

Smoke came out of the chimney Of
the little red house on Adolphus street,
but only thin little curl struggled up
ward as II the fire inside burned very
low.
Over a handful of Goals in the one
and only CRATE, mother and five little
children shivered. On the mantelpiece
in full view stood i've wonderful kew
| pies. What matter If they were cellu-
Ioid and sold two for a Jitney, 1t was
| lovely of the grocery man TO send them
over. Rapturously the children gazed
| at them, all but Mary. A tear stole
down her sallow little face and her
brown eyes avoided those of her mother,
She was thinking Of other Christ
masses, Of lighted candles and brilliant
| Yuletide trees, of days and nights in
another life time. That is, it seemed
that way, those heavenly happy times
| before father went busted" and nearly
died. Since then, we'll there hadn't
been any Santa, nothing but the grocery
man.
And it was all fake, just a play
pretend" the child murmured bitterly.
"Oh, don't say that, Mary, dear" the
mother begged Really II isn't true.
Please don't cease believing. There IS
a Santa and there will be one forever
and ever, Mary mean it, truly"
| " carly l4lC IlOlIlcI dIOSo anu bdNll-
cred closer the folds Of her wrapper
around her. STOPPING, she picked UP the
! youngest child, a baby of six months,
and moved toward the window. Outside
1t looked cold, and the bleakness made
her lonely. Wouldn't Harry, her hus-
band, ever come and would there he
sny extra money. She knew the answer
and the insistent no. nc" rang through
her ears and pounded her brain. With
food and clothing to buy for a brood
of five and herself and husband, it
wasn't often they could squeeze out
Of the younger children, had to break
his arm; oh, that wasn't fair, the child
couldn't help it, she reflected. Still
Lord, we must have just a little
| Christmas. I've taught them to be-
lieve in Santa and somehow can't
II m failing at my job Of being a
mother. If they cease believing in
Santa Claus will they ever again credit
anything l may say-help me won't
you?" the mother prayed.
Four-y ear-old Annie left the fire and
you cry?" she wanted to know and
fiercely Mary Joined them and ex-
planned because there is no Santa"
"Ain't they, really, Mammal" Choir
used Robert and Charley plaintively.
Should she tell them it was all a
story, beautiful fairy tale made up
for wealthy and fortunate children
Should she take away forever their
trust and belief in all that was great
and good?
God forgive me-" she whispered, but
! must. Children" she began, and then
hushed abruptly as a step fell upon
the little porch outside and a knock
sounded on the door Swiftly she
glanced toward the poker. A robberc
No, what could they want Of the poor?
Charley, open the door," she COM
manded,
In stepped a. tall. slim girl with a
goodly package. Beside her followed a
large fat man with bag under which
he staggered.
"Er-we're looking for No. -? be-
lieve this is the number the man said
rather awkwardly and Merry Christ
mas" sung the girl; we're trying to
help out Santa. He says better be toe
early than one minute late besides he's
got number OF places to go. It's from
the Goodfelows really" she explained
cheerfully picking up the next to the
i. ittlest kiddie and pretended not to no.
tice the mothers face as she turned
toward the window.
1t took only a second, because women
master their feelings quicker than az
men. and then the mother turned agair
to her visitors. THE children were get
ting anxious she said, and her voice
was almost level; they thought per
haps Santa might have forgotten. We've
nothing hardly to mention and we usec
to have everything Mary remembers.
she added, indicating the eldest rhild
Mamma cry, too" Annie explained
still Juggling at her mothers dress. BE
fore gave God our address" the
mother added.
II can't thank YOU" she began
Gruffly the Goodfelow held up his har(
and bowling himself out he muttered
Gave God her address, whatcha thinl
about that" Reverently removing hi:
cap he bowed skyward saying: You're
nice fellow, old chap Merry Christ
mas to you"