fter filling
each stocking with red apples, and leaving a cornucopia of sugar-plums
for each child, he turned for a moment to look at the sleeping faces,
for St. Nicholas has a tender spot in his great big heart for a
soldier's children. Then, remembering many other small folks waiting for
him all over the land, he sprang up the chimney and was away in a trice.

Santa Claus, in the form of Mrs. Tracy's farmer brother, brought her
a splendid turkey; but because the Hessians were uncommonly fond of
turkey, it came hidden under a load of wood. Harry was very fond of
turkey, too, as well as of all other good things; but when his mother
said, "It's such a fine bird, it seems too bad to eat it without
father," Harry cried out, "Yes, keep it for papa!" and Kitty, joining
in the chorus, the vote was unanimous, and the turkey was hung away to
await the return of the good soldier, although it seemed strange,
as Kitty told Martha Washington, "to have no papa and no turkey on
Christmas Day."

The day passed and night came, cold with a steady fall of rain and
sleet. Kitty prayed that her "dear papa might not be out in the storm,
and that he might come home and wear his beautiful blue stockings"; "And
eat his turkey," said Harry's sleepy voice; after which they were soon
in the land of dreams. Toward morning the good people in Bordentown were
suddenly aroused by firing in the distance, which became more and more
distinct as the day wore on. There was great excitement in the town; men
and women gathered together in little groups in the streets to wonder
what it was all about, and neighbours came dropping into Mrs. Tracy's
parlour, all day long, one after the other, to say what they thought of
the firing. In the evening there came a body of Hessians flying into
the town, to say that General Washington had surprised the British
at Trenton, early that morning, and completely routed them, which
so frightened the Hessians in Bordentown that they left without the
slightest ceremony.

It was a joyful hour to the good town people when the red-jackets turned
their backs on them, thinking every moment that the patriot army would
be after them. Indeed, it seemed as if wonders would never cease that
day, for while rejoicings were still loud, over the departure of the
enemy, there came a knock at Mrs. Tracy's door, and while she was
wondering whether she dared open it, it was pushed ajar, and a tall
soldier entered. What a scream of delight gre