The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-12-27
SANTA'S SUBSTITUTE
(By Florence BOrncr)

! ne thoUEhl sIytE, l am pretty sure
! ! have found her now"
Little Jeanne left her place on tn,
sofa and came to GrahamS side
won't 90 tell me somefin about
Santa Claus, an why mamma says be
! won't come this year, she pleaded.
do so want "A pretty dolly at goes tC
sleep and a tory book
Santa not coming? said Graham
We'll, little, darling we will see
about that. "Of course he is com
ing, but when he does, little girlies
must be fast asleep, you know"
eyes, answered the child. II
knows all bout dat. But, mamma
cried today an said Santa wouldn t
come"
Nellie Hastings blushcd. "HuSh,
jeanne" she said, we must not
speak of our troubles now But,
Graham understood everything. The
few dollars that Ncllic's parents had
left her when they died were gone,
and mother and child were in sore
straits. 1t required money to keep
Il roof over their heads, and money
for food and clothing; 50 there would
be none for Christmas Joys and toys
such as every child has a right to
expect
The clock on the mantel chimed
eight, and little Jeanne knew that
meant bedtime for her. "Wcll', she
said. II guess | will hang up my
locking anyway, mamma, an see #
Santa won't come" So She brought
out a little white stocking from her
bedroom and fastened it firmly to
the mantci piece. Then bidding her
mother and Graham good night she
hurried into her little bedroom and
soon was fast asleep.
For time there was silence in
the room she had left. Graham did
not hardly know how to broach the
subject that filled his mind, and his
hostess evidently thinking over the
past and all it had brought her re-
manned silent.
But finally Graham said: "Now
Mrs. Hastings, | want YOU to let me
play Santa Claus for your little girl.
1t has been so many years since
Christmas meant anything to me that
the doing so will be a pleasure.
Looking into his handsome earnest
face Nellie said: II will not refuse
your kind offer, my friend, for, |
want to confess that the thought of
very much worried. / have always
managed to get her something for
Christmas until this year, but every
thing is so expensive and | already
am indebted more than | WI be able
to pay for some time. | must find
work of some kind, but what it will
be | do not know"
Graham arose and donned his coat.
"WclI,' he smiled 81 am going to
look old Santa up and in the mean
time you can make room for the
tree
In about an hour he returned with
two boys. All were loaded with
Christmasy looking packages, and the
larger boy carried fine Christmas
tree. Diminishing and paying his
helpers Graham and Nellie set to
work. What transformation.
In the middle of the room stood
the tree loaded down with all sorts
of pretty toys. and decorations. At
the top, a beautiful representation of
the Bethlehem Star glittcrcd.
Around the tree were placed many
packages. Little Jeannc's stocking
was filled with candy and nuts. a
wonderful dolly with real hair and
sleeping eyes dressed in blue silk
sat in a cunningly made little chair.
A whole set Of dolly's furniture and
dishes was spread around her. AS
they worked Nelies eyes which had
for so long worn a look of sadness,
shone with happiness.
More than once she and Graham
had touched hands as they placed
the gifts, and an electric thrill seem
ed to enter both whenever their
hands touched. Trust Dan Cupid to
always put his best foot foremost,
and there was no time like Christmas
Eve with its joy bells ringing and
happy traditions.
Finally, the room with its decora-
tions was completed. Then smiling
ly Graham drew forth a small pack
age and said "A gift for you, Nell
lie Nellie Hastings looked into his
eyes and blushed. But she did not
reprlmand him for the use of her
Christian name. A beautiful string
Of pearls was disclosedS when the
Wrappings were removed. The little
woman gasped. Pearls-for me? But,
l cannot accept them, Mr.. Graham.
"Why not asked Graham boldly.
Then, sheepishly he drew out anoth-
er and "A smaller package. Unwrap-
ping it he had beautiful diamond
ring in his hand. Nellie he said
softly. Please do not think me too
precipitous; but, The one and only