The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-13

much it may be in our pockets. Say amen'
boys"
Moneybun and Bustsr repeated amen very
reverently.
"And shall hs-Uncle Shoddy, / mean
come here to morrow morning bright ana
early, mind you, and say to her, to this WA,
ow living here, boys, Mary Downs. you shall
never want again, you nor your children-the
children of my first and best friend, john
Downs-and you and they shall dine under
nv roof-tree this day, the most and honored
and welcome gests there; and for your future
you shall have no care, as God may do so 70
mine if ever they shall need 1T How VIII
that do boys "
Ruster and Honey bun declared it was just |
the thing, and the man called Shoddy put his
hand into that of Santa Clause and said,
with all my changed heart agree, and |
| will do this to my times end i
"And now, boys, let's be Off" exclaimed
the old gentleman, consulting his wonderful
watch. Good night, Shoddy." In less than
nc time they were again in the sieign-leaS-
inc the man called Shoddy behind-bowllng
off miles like reeing of cotton crossing rivers,
woods, in a wink of time, which induced Bus
ter TO observe, for the hundredth time. Isn't
this prime 2"
! 1t seemed as if they had travelled, oh, for
miles and miles, when they stopped again,
| this time at an old fashioned house, so large
and aueer-looking that it was more like
| Noah's ark than anything else. So Honey
hun said. and ne looked round for Noah and
his wife and children, and the elephant, too;
ss0oft iqSagYYe enough there they were when they
Noah's arks in the toy shops which every
body knows, or ought to know if they don't,
| is as like Noah and his family can be hon
estly done at the price.
TOYS! Acres upon acres of themi Miles Of
shelves, all crowded. packed breaking down with
them. There never was anything like it seen,
believe.
This is one of my little stores" said the old
gentleman to the boys, who walked along on
either side of him in mystiied happiness. You
needn't say what you want, because they wrote
me letters from home, and your things are all
on the tree. put them there last night"
"With your own hands," inquired Honey
bun.
''Why, of course" said the little fellow, with a
laugh that quite warmed them; al always
put the things on the tree for good children
never for bad children, never! By the way, Bus
ter, | hope you never tickle old ladies' legs at
church now, do your"
'Never, sir" said Buster, with look of dis
may, wondering how in the world Saint Nicholas
knew that particular Busterian effort.
''Wel now, let's so in and see some of my OIL
dest friends" he said, land let me see whether
YOU will remember any of them"
With that he led HOneybun and Buster into
large room, with an old-fashioned open fireplace,
and there big log blazing and sparkling in
il, and evergreens over the windows, aud pictur
es; and the room, large it was, full of
people, and the oldest looking people you ever
saw, dressed just like the queer old hgures IN the
story books
DO YOU know anybody here?" asked Saint
Nicholas. "Look around but stop, let ne in
troduce you" And the funny little old fellow,
without any more to do about II, stepped with
Honey hun and Buster right into the middle OF
| ,buc and l,D
me make known 60 you on this Christmas morn
ing nv young friends Buster and Honeybun."
| And what do You think all those queerly
dressed people did Ifthey didn't come up and
kiss Buster and Honeybun, I'm Hottentot.-
And one old lady who wac called Hubbard,
"My dears, you must not forget poor old Tray
And Tray waggcd his tail and said bow WOW,
quite knowing, and the boys though; Tray s. Ike
, old Fody at home as two dogs could be like each
other. Presently Buster whispered into Honey
buns
brother, there's Puss with her boots on; and
If there isn't little Jack Horner away of in
that corner, eating his CEriStmaspe. Well,
well"
II wish he'd give ut tum," said Honeybun-
"And look, brudder, by the fire place, there's
old Dame Ticket, and there's the cricket on the
top Of her chair
Eyes, aud there's the doctor going to put the
platter on her, said Buster
"Why that's our own Doctor John, said Honey
bun"
"A merry Christmas to you, little boys"
The children turned and saw very sweet little
girl in a red cloak and hood.
II know you, you're Red Rining Hood" said
Buster.
And where's the WOLFF" asked Huueybun.
"And how's your grandmother?" inquired
Buster, innocently not remembering that
cradle lady's untmely fate at the paws of the
wolf.
Look there" pointed Saint Nicholas;
''yonder you will Cinderella"
Didn't the Prince marry her, after ali ?" asked
| Buster
"And here comes Jack the Giant Killer, a stur-
dy and very useful rascal, Honeybun and there
are Jack of tue bean stalk, and Wilmington, too
and there, too, is Dame Trot and her cat. Very
worthy people, all Of them, boys, and have done
more good in their time than ever you will, per-
haps. But, wen be of again. Ho, for the
merry sleigh bells, and may the spirit of Christ
mas ever reigr"
Saint Nicholas got into the sleigh again and
wrapped the children well up; and they rode,
and they rode. for many miles, until San
ia Claus stopped again, and here he left the boys
outside.
"Oh, shouldn't like to drive" said Buster,
and before Honeybun could say mo-" or do any
thing to prevent him, Buster had taken the reins,
and off the deer started, ike mad But they did
not go far, you may be sure, for trying to keep
clear of a snow bank, the deer onto il, and
over went the sleigh, aud out went Buster and
Houeybun into the snow.
The first thing done by Honey bun was to pick
himself up, and the next to help Buster, when loi
there lay Buster fast asleep-and where do you
suppose? Snug in their own little bed at home,
and he (Honeybun) was sitting up straight in bed,
with no bed clothes OF him, and as cold he
could well be on Christmas morning. He look
q IN al iph M Hnpr hur fhpy ty1gp