The mirror., 1923-12-20
Johnny are over on the hill yet, after that

faces against the window-pane and looked
out. "O-o-oh, mammal" cried one.
"Here comes Ida and Johnny now, with
great big tree-and they've got strange
little boy with sled-just look!"
The farmer and his wife rushed to the
door and opened it, gust of sharp, fine
snow waited into the room. "Mercy mel,
what terrible night it's going to be!
Wish Ted and Joe were home," Mrs.
Stubbs exclaimed anxiously.
Farmer Stubbs hurried to attend to the
stock, and a moment later the children
arrived at the house. Ida, the oldest,
cried -"Mamma-just think! We
found this little boy lost in the woods, and
we brought him home"
Mrs. Stubbs threw her arms upward
and exclaimed-"M Mercy! Just think of it!
Why-the poor child would surely have
frozen to death Come here little boy,
and warm yourself. My-what fine
coat and cap you have-what's your name,
child?"
"Dickie Austin" whimpered the child.
"What?" cried Mrs. Stubbs. "You
Dickie Austin from town."
The little stranger looked bewildered,
and replied hesitatingly, "I'se lookin' fer
Santa Claus. Mamma said he must live
on great big farm, cause he's got lots of
sclo
"Oh-you poor little boy! Now just you
put your feet right up here to the stove
and get warm!" .4
There was crunching of snow and
voices heard outside, and farmer Stubbs,
accompanied by his sons Ted and Joe,
entered with gust of snow that almost
extinguished the lamp upon the table.
"Phew" exclaimed the old man, stamping
his feet upon the floor and shaking off
cloud of snow. >."This is an ugly night to
be out-glad I've got the chores all done"
This with kindly glance toward the
little stranger who sat looking at him
wide-eyed, while toasting his toes before
tn oven. "Howdy-little fellow" added
the farmer, "ain't you a stranger about
here?"
Dickie looked at him, full of interest, Use
lookin' fer Santa Claus-be you Mr.. Santa
CLAUSE"
Farmer Stubbs chuckled in surprise.
"Well-little mani reckon am-about
this place at least. What's your name,
lad?"
"pse Dickie Austin Mamma says Santa
Claus likes good little boys, SO 1 came to
see you'll" announced the visitor, full of
confidence and eager interest.
The children all laughed merrily.
"Well I'll be blasted!" chuckled the
farmer, pulling his whiskers.
"Come newspapers all ready" said
Mrs. Stubbs.
AS they all gathered around the table,
Mr.. Stubbs remarked, "Guess I'd better
telephone that money grabber to come out
but I'll bet his daddy Will be little
ashamed when he hears the news. I'll bet
they're worried most to death!"
Numerous attempts to get "Central"
failed. Lines out of order," remarked
Stubbs, as he returned and seated himself
at the table. All heads were bowed for
moment as the farmer said "Grace," then
each one hungrily attacked his helping of
various vivands upon the table.
Supper over, Mrs. Stubbs and Ida
cleared the table and "did the Dishes"
while the others gathered in the large
living-room before the fireplace, where
several logs lay burning briskly-bright
flames leaping high, cracking, sending up
sparks, and radiating warmth and cheer
fulness throughout the room.
Little Johnny Stubbs appeared with sew
eral large pans, one of them filled with
shelled popcorn. Ted and Joe, the older
boys, held eorn-poppcrs over the bed of red
Goals which farmer Ctuhhs raked m The