The mirror., 1923-12-20

then from tn sack he produced score of
with these. Then holding the sack above
other pans, he poured out several pecks
of hazelnuts, walnuts, and butternuts. Of
toys, there were none-Santa, this year,
could not afford them-but the children
never even noticed this lack, so busy were
they grasping at the loads of good things
to eat, all of which had been gathered
upon the farm.
AT that moment large, closed, and
snow-covered automobile rolled clumsily
up the drifted road, rocking and swing
ing as it came. Now it stopped near the
door of the farmhouse, and a lady and
gentleman alighted. Hurying up the steps
they exchanged glances of satisfaction and
Joy as the sounds of laughter and merry
voices within fell upon their ears.
Mrs. Stubbs answered the knock at the
front door. "Come in, folks. Merry Christ
mas!" she cried, as she closed the door
after them and grasped their hands in
welcome. "Just lay your wraps upon this
chair"
Richard Austin and his wife then fol-
lowed Mrs. Stubbs into the living-room.
"Dickie" cried the woman, rushing to
embrace her son and showering him with
kisses.
MIR. Austin grasped farmer Stubb's out
stretched hand and held it firmly, warmly,
in grateful, friendly greeting. Both
men gazed earnestly into each others eyes
tor brief moment, then the farmer
wlnked and burst out laughing in merri-
ment.
The banker gave the farmers costume
a sweeping glance, then laughed and
began shaking his head industriously. :'By
Jove-Stubbs!" Little Dick was right
Santa does live on farmland you've
been a real Santa Claus to all of us
tonight"
Stubs waved his hand toward the blaz-
ing Fireplace. Come, folks-sit down and
warm yourselves. Mamma-ind Mrs.
Austin a chair"
When all were seated, Ida Stubbs
brought plate of candy and shelled nuts
for the visitors, while Mrs. Stubbs told
how Ida and Johnny, upon going into the
woods after Christmas tree, had found
little Dickie lying beside his sled asleep.
The Austins shuddered, sighed, and ex-
pressed thankfulness and gratitude that the
farmers children had saved little Dickie
from certain death in the storm.
Farmer Stubs divested himself of his
fur coat, cap, and string of jingling bells;
while his wife hurried into the kitchen, to
return moment later with a platter of
fresh grapes which she offered to the
visitors.
"My goodness, Mrs. Stubbs!" cried Mrs.
Austin, holding aloft and admiring a
great cluster of grapes, as fresh as though
just picked from the vines. "Where in the
wide world did you get fresh grapes from,
in the midst of winter?"
Mrs. Stubbs laughed lightly-gayly.
"Why-I just wiped them dry and wrap
ped them in cotton last summer, putting
them away in cool, dry place away
from the air!"
Mrs. Austin was amazed. "Wonderful!"
she cried, as she tasted the luscious fruit.
Farmer Stubs picked up fiat iron and
hammer, and began cracking nuts; and as
he sat watching him, there suddenly came
new thought into the bankers mind.
1hrusting his hand into his inside coat
RONnSS AC WAtAulCW d lOuk CIVClOpCs
Quickly he arose, and with brisk stride he
walked to the Christmas tree, placing the
envelope among its branches.
"My little present to Santa Claus and
his faithful wife and family-may you
always prosper" he said fervently.
Farmer Stubs and his wife arose,
wiping their eyes suspiciously.
Mrs. Austin grasped their hands, "This
is the happiest Christmas of my life!" she
said earnestly. Then turning to Ida, she
withdrew a ring, upon which sparkled
small diamond. This she placed upon
Ida's finger. "In token of our gratitude"
she said, kissing the astonished, bewild-
cred, and happy little girl; while into
little Johnny's hand, she pressed yellow
backed bank note.
Soon after, the Austins left, taking with
them little Dickie, who, as the big auto
mobile started, snuggled closer to his
mothers side exclaiming in enthusiastic
delight-"Oh-mamma Use just had the
incest time-an he's the bestest Santa
Claus that ever seen!"
"YeslO resnonded h;s n,other 0ApJ ,r.,Il