The Carlisle independent., 1920-12-30
MIR. BROWNS CHRISTMAS GIFT
(By Miss Bea Weiss)


 office door with bang and strode out on the sidewalk in the early twilight of a chilly winter evening. As he el- bowed his way through the throng of smiling, chattering people laden with many queer-shaped bundles, he was wondering how anyone could get the least pleasure out of Christmas.
 For him it had meant only worry and discomfort. He had mental pie ture of his wife and children wit lines care on their faces weary bodies of care on their faces, weary bodies, sore feet and hair-spring tempers, vainly trying to decide what to buy for this friend or for that one-costly presents which were neither needed nor appreciated, because society de- nlanded.. This very morning he had rebelIed. He had declared that he would neither accept a present nor would he buy even one, for the best friend he had,
 He had telephoned for his chauffeur to meet him at the corner, for he would not be crowded into a street car among all those crazy people and be punched in the ribs with their silly bundles. When he came to the corner he found that his car had sot yet ar rived,so to pass away the time he be- gan idly gazing about. He noticed two little children, a boy and girl, standing before a window full of pret- ,ty toys. On their little faces was a look of rapture and their attitude was one of divine worship. Never had he seen such longing, wistfuI look in the eyes of asy one.
 Becoming more interested, he step- ped over to the window to hear their childish words of praise and rapture When the little girl noticed the great MT. Brown standing by her side she locked up into his face and with that faith of the child that recognizes TO social superior she began to tell him of all the wonderful things that were just over there beyond her reach.
 "Yess' said Mr. Brows, 'sthey are very beautiful, but tell me, little lady, what is Santa going to bring you this Christmasgn
 "oh, sir she said, do you really think he will come to see Bobby and me? Do you think he will not forget us? Mamma said she thought he would not come to see us this year"
 Why" said MT. Brown, q didn't know that he ever forgot any little boys and girls. Why does mamma think he will forget you this year?" "Oh." said the little girl, "mamma must work all day in the factory and papa has been sick so long that she says he will not be able to go and see Santa to tell him about Bobby and me and so he may never know about us."
 Just then little Bobby thought of perfectly wonderful plan to find Santa so he said to his sister, Bessie, why don't you ask the man if he can find Santa and tell him about us?"
 Well, sure enough" said Mir. Brown, I'll just bet ] can fnd the old Blown, ,,I'll just bet can find the old rascal somewhere. I most certainly will try, but first you must take me to your home and show me where you live and who papa and mamma are"
 A few moments later the chauffeur was very much surprised when two very shabby, but very, very happy lit tie children were bundled into his fine car and driven to a narrow street and requested to wait while the great man entered the little house with them.
 On Christmas morning Mrs Brown arose, weary in mind and in body, and said to her son and daughter, "thank goodness Christmas is almost past, but 1 do wish you would notice your father He got up at four o'clock this morning and has just returned from 'goodsess knows where and he is whistling and singing all over the house. He declares that this is the happiest Christmas that he ever spent. do wish he mould tell us mhere he has been and what he has done."
 But MT. Brown did not tell them for he did not think they would under stand, but two little children in the lit tie house on the narrow street did un- derstand, so did a tired mother and sick father. So also did a certain doc tor, who every day picks up his medi- cine case and goes to the little house and every evening write in big book one trip to -- street, charge to Mr. Brown.