OCR Text |
Show The Boy Who Found Santa Claus By FLOYD T. WOOD BOB'S mother was working for us when she died, A fine, decent woman who'd honestly tried To be "to her youngster both mother and dad. There weren't any kin folks. For that we were glad, For our ranch house was big, far too big for two, And while we'd not said much, most everyone knew How much we'd both wanted a child of our own To bring to its bareness the flavor of home. SO BOBBY stayed on at the ranch house with us. He never made trouble, no tantrums, or fuss. 'Twas seldom he mentioned the grave on the hill, But we knew from his manner his thoughts were there still. We did all we could to make up for his loss. He called the wife "Aunty," and me he called "Boss." And yet the place lacked what a parent enjoys The glad, happy laughter that's normal to boys. WELL, the summer wore on and we still had our boy; His manners were faultless, his conduct a joy; He owned a pet rooster, a calf and a pig . That he'd promised to care for until he was big. He really seemed grateful for all we had done, And he really did try to respond to our fun; But down underneath there was something, I know, That whispered, "You're homeless, you may have to go." I REMEMBER the night when I spoke of the way We intended to celebra.e glad Christmas Day, With a tree, and a turkey, would anyone believe How many fine presents old Santa would leave! Well, Bob didn't answer for quite a long while; When he did there's a quiver mixed up in his smile; "I'll be brave," he said slowly,- "I'll try hard to be, Though Santa don't bother with orphans like me." I TOLD him, of coursa, he was wrong through and through, That Santa was generous, and never would do A trick like forgetting a boy who'd been good. And had done all the things that we'd told him he should. But Bob didn't answer; he couldn't, I guess; It might have been better if I had said less; For the last thing I heard as he trudged off to bed Was, "Santa won't find me now mother is dead." STILL Christmas came round as it always has done; , We'd asked all the ranch help to share in the fun; So long about daylight we're ready to see What Santa had left on the big Christmas tree. The whole room was filled with glad laughter and cries; There were dozens of parcels, all colors and size; For anyone working on Christmas for me Is always remembered, and always will be. NOW the madam and I had done a good job In trading our money for presents for Bob; We might have bought less if we'd known that the boys Had each one decided to purchase some toys; And each one had done so; it still makes me smile To think of the depth of tmr little chap's pile; I've not seen one like it, not since nor before, So full an assortment from Santa Claus' store. BIG bears and small bears, a dog that could bark. Balls, bats and trumpets, a fine Noah's ark, A pop gun for corks, a wagon bright red, Two drums for good measure, a long, shining sled, A track and a train that would run with a spring, A cute little monkery that ran up a string; In short, we had everything needed that day To make a boy glad, and to keep him that way. I'M PROUD I can say that the boy had a smile More real than any I'd seen all the while He'd lived there with us; he seemed to forget Those dark days behind; our laughter he met With quips of his own that from sadness were free, A look in his eyes that's a pleasure to see. He shook all our hands and he wished us all joy; For the first time in months Bob was certainly boy. BUT the tree's finally finished, all stripped of its wares; Then George from the bunk-house he up and declares ' How he knows this here party ain't really complete Till Bob's searched the stockin's, clear down to the feet. And there was a paper! Bob gave it to me; I'd mislaid by glasses; I really can't see. How quiet the room grew! So quiet indeed You'd a-heard a pin dropping as George starts to read! "WHY. this is a letter to Bobby," he said. "So everyone quiet; it's time it was read. It seems an old gentleman's heard you been good; So therefore and whereas he's certain you would Like to have it wrote down in a strict legal way You've a real pa and ma starting in from today. (Continued on page 11) The Boy Who Found Santa Claus . . . (Continued from page 10) An' they want you to smile, Bob, be happy an' glad; An' Santa he signed it, an' mother an' dad." NO USE to deny it, my eyes dimmed with tears; But so did some others, both sexes, all years. The mist in voung Bob's eyes just heightened their shine. He reached for wife's worn hands and put them in mine. And he kissed us both, hungrily, time and again; And the love in his voice was as sweet as spring rain. "I know you were right, Dad, and Mother, because No day could be like this without Santa Claus." |