Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 April 1895 — MERRY XMAS TO ALL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MERRY XMAS TO ALL

CHRISTMAS FAIRIES.

ACK was the dearest, roundest, rosietest little lad imaginable. He was a wgß’ picture of happy -pY boyhood that afternoon, three days beliMl fore Christmas, -ifiEl w^en > ’ n h* B smart coat, trimmed in the wk most delightful military fashion with bands of Persian lamb and black frogs, and his

Jaunty cap set on fair hair, and his fat went into the park with his sled for a romp. He ran and shouted and pranced until his eyes glowed like stars and his cheeks shown like apples, and everybody hands protected by fur-trimmed gloves he who saw him said: “What a handsome boy!” Jack, of course, was looking forward to Christmas, just as every boy and girl who reads this is looking forward to that day of all days. He expected to have al) sorts of line things in his stocking, and with very good reason, for Santa Claus had never neglected him. Jack’s father was rich. Grandmamma, who was richer, was coming to spend the holidays, and Santa Claus had been telephoned on the subject of skates, drums, swords, guns, and sweetmeats, and there was every prospect that when he called at Jack’s home his sleigh would bo very full Indeed. Jack was like all boys who have no brothers and sisters, a trifle selfish. But he was a manly, kind-hearted little chap for all that, and so, when he was through with his play and was dragging his sled homeward and came upon a scene on a street-corner which aroused his sympathy, he paused to find out what it meant A crowd of rough boys were tormenting a poorly clad little girl, whose wan, haggard face spoke too plainly of misery and poverty. She was frightened and almost crying as Jack came up. “Here, now!” said Jack, with sturdy determination, “you stop that or I’ll call a p’liceman.” Fortunately, at that moment, a bluecoated officer came in sight, and the hoodlums fled with one wild departing yell. “Thank you,” said the little girl, timidly, “those boys alius are picking on me.” “What’s your name?” asked Jack. “Susie Greene.” “Well, Susie,” said Jack, with an air of business, “you look cold and sidk.” “I ain’t very strong ” “And hungry,” continued Jack.

into tears. Thit was enough for. Jack. “Get right on my sled," said he, determinedly, “and I’ll take you down to my house, and you’ll hate something to eat.” Susie obeyed, and the officer saw with grim pleasure the young heir to Mr. Newton’s millions dragging off the little waif to his home, a block away. “He ao be a foine chap, he do bq,” re-marked-d’oliceman Mulvaney. 7Jock tow Susie into the kitchen, and gave Orders she should be fed forthwith. Then he hurried up to his mother’s room. She was there with his grandmother, and in a few words he told them about the little girl, he had rescued. “She’s poor and hungry, and she’s got no decent clothes. Mamma, can’t you fix her up?” His mother looked at him a moment, then asked, quietly: “Jack, would you rather have this little girl made comfortable or have a big Christmas yourself?” Jaek, hesitated. He thought of all those presents he was expecting; then he thought of Susie’s thin dress and bursting shoes. “Yqu can take the money you .were going to Spend on my Christmas and fix her up,” ha bravely said. Then his grandmamma, a statdig old lady, in black satin and white lace cup, called him to her and kissed him, with tears in her eyes. • >.,.* • • • • • • . JackjMt bolt upright in bed, and rubbed lushes very hard. No, he was not asleep. . There was the open fire, there r S&f '.f'r' ‘.U* » • . ■ I' ■ ■

his clothes on the chair, there the door into his mother’s room. It was Christmas Eve. Jack had not hung up his stocking, for he did not expect any presents. Susie had been warmly clothed and her wretched home had been brightened by the visit of Jack and his mother. The boy was satisfied. He had made his choice, and expected to abide by it. But, marvelous to relate, as he looked toward the fire, he saw a crowd of tiny people hurrying and fussing about on the fur rug before the fire. Three or four had a miniature ladder which they were putting up against the side of the fireplace. Several others had hold of one of Jack’s long stockings. When the ladder was in place, a little man, with elfish eyes and spider-like legs, climbed the ladder, dragging Jack's stocking after him, and

hung it on a hook, and then coming down put his hands on his hips and surveyed his work with great satisfaction. “That’s what I call a good job,” he said. “Now, hurry up, you folk, and get your presents in there before St. Nicholas gets along.” Then fairy after fairy climbed the ladder, and put in his presents. There was a fat brownie, who brought a basket of nuts from the woods. “1 have worked all day,” he said, ‘looking under hedges and dead leaves to gather these nuts for the boy who was kind to Susie.” A quaint little fairy In a curious foreign gown and cap approached. “I have come clear from the borders of the Black Forest in Germany,” she said, “to bring this music-box for the boy who was not ashamed to look after a poor little girl.” There was quite a stir as a remarkable fairy approached. He was coppertinted and had a feather stuck in his black hair, and he bore on his shoulder a beautiful bow and arrow. “From the lands of the setting sun I have come," said he. “I am a Puckwudjie, an Indian fairy, but 1 wanted to bring an offering to the young paleface who has a good heart.” A merry little man in green climbed the ladder, hauling up a beautiful toy sword which he had brought from England for Jack. Then there followed one of the “good people” of Ireland' with a drum which he had brought from the Emerald Isle. “Shure it’s hurryin’ I must be after doin’,” he cried, “to be back before daybreak.” In the midst of all this excitement there came a pawing of tiny hoofs over-

head and a jingling of bells, and a voice down the chimney, cried, “Whoa!” very loudly. At this every fairy vanished abruptly. But the stocking was left hanging there, and presently, with a scramble and rush, down the chimney came the good Saint

himself. Jack knew him directly from his pictures. He examined the stocking attentively. “So they’ve been here ahead of me!” he observed. “That’s a great idea! I never was left before. Well, no matter! There are a few things they've forgotten. Here are the skates, the games, the box of caramels, the books,” and as he talked he piled the packages up on a table near the fireplace. Jack’ eyes were so heavy he couldn’t hold them open. He shut them for an instant. and when he opened them again it was Christmas morning. He sprang from his bed and rushed to the fireplace. Yes, there hung his stocking full and running over, and the table near by was loaded with gifts. And, if you were to argue forever, you could never make Jack believe that there

is no Santa Claus or such things as fairies. “I know better,” he says, with a decided shake of his curly head, “I know better, for I’ve seen them.”

HE STOPPED TO COMFORT HER.

JACK RUBBED HIS EYES.