Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1921-12-22

DohdIu gave u jump anu iduBhCo'
"Then l can belong to the Santa
Claus family, too. I'm going to have
a fine time this Christmas. Pm going
to be Donald Santa Claus. Couldn't I
call myself Donald Santa Claus, moth
err"
eyes, of course" answered Mother.
Mother began to embroider. Dom
aid sat very quiet a long time. He
was planning how he could surprise
Father and Mother, and Grandfather
and Grandmother, and Uncle Earl and
Aunt Ruth.
Mother" he said presently, ~ wish
l could be Santa Claus to some very
poor child, who wouldn't have any
presents if l didn't give him some"
perhaps you cam" answered Moth
err. "When l finish my embroidering
l will telephone and see if l can find
some one"
When she finished her work Mother
spent a long time at the telephone.
At last she came away looking disap-
pointed.
81 can't find anyone" she said. 81
have been telephoning to people who
know about the poor people. | have
telephoned to the City Mission Board
and the Charity Board. They said all
the children they know about are 60
ing to have Christmas presents. Put
on your coat and hat; we will go for
a walk in the park"
The weather was so pleasant that
morning that Donald wanted to stay
in the park to play awhile. In short
time little girl came into the park,
pushing doll carriage. She seated
herself and her dolly on bench not
far from Donald and his mother.
T'd like to 60 talk to that little girl,
Mother" said Donald.
You may if you WISH" responded
Mother.
Donald ran over to the little girl,
and sitting down on the other end Of
the bench, smiled at her. She smiled
back at him and did not run away.
Have you bought your Christmas
presents yet-for your father and
other people mean" asked Donald.
81 haven't any money to buy Christ
mas presents with" answered the
little girl.
Cant you get some from your
mother? That's where l get all of
NINE"
"My mother hasn't any this year
for Christmas presents" the little
girl replied. "She says Santa will
not come to our house this year.
Father has been too sick to work for
a long time; therefore we can't have
any presents. He's getting better,
though, so my mother thinks Santa
Claus will come next year."
Donald's heart gave bound. Here
was some one who wasn't going to get
any presents. Wasn't, indeed! He
would see about that!
what would you like Santa Claus
to bring you, if he should come to
your house," asked Donald.
"He won't come. My mother says
he doesn't come to houses where
fathers and mothers haven't any mon
ey."
"But if he should" persisted Donald
what would you want?"
81 want a new doll carriage more
than anything" the little girl replied.
"This one is too old and little. have
to bend over to push it, and that
makes me tired. My dolly is beauti-
full, though"
as that all you want ?" asked DON
ald
"1'd like story book, too. And I'd
want him to bring Little Brother a
train of cars and drum"
The little girl put the doll back into
the carriage.
81 must go now," she said. moth
er told me not to stay long,"
When she started away, Donald ran
to his mother.
20 Mother" he cried, "come quick.
Let's follow the little girl and see
where she lives. Her father is sick,
and she can't have any Christmas
presents this year."
Donald and his mother followed the
little girl slowly, so she would not see
them. They saw her go up the front
steps of brick house near the park.
The evening before Christmas came.
Donald was dressed in red suit trim
med with white fur. He wore a jolly
Santa Claus paper face and looked
exactly like old Saint Nick himself.
Father took Donald in his automo-
bile to the house where the little girl
lived.
"You are not going into the house,
are you?" asked Father.
81 do want to go in, Father" pleaded
Donald. 81 want to see how happy
they will be. want them to see me,
too. I've always wanted to see Santa
Clause myself"
"All right" said Father. "Go in"
Father helped Donald put the things
h. L. L..