The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-01-13
miserlIanr.
HOW TWO CHRISTMASSES CAME
IN ONE YEAR.
From Hsrper's Bazaar.

"hriss, hriss J caueC Mrs. Santa CIaus, ss sue
went ont of her house and across the yard. Now
do wonder where that boy is she added. look
ing behind the iceberg that stood like great
frosted hay-rick just in froat of the stable door
kriss was very fond of playing there with his
little white bear; but neither bear nor boy
was TO be seen there now. She thea peeped into
the stable, snd saw the reindeer in their stalls,
hut no kriss was there. .'Well," she thought, as
she turned back, che can't be lar away, AID the
smell OF supper viii certainly bring him home
Just az she was going in the door she saw the
bear t-otting cumsily but quickly oil towards
the north pole which is in sight of the house.
She went in then, quite easy, Tor she knew the
how must be somewhere near, and cutting two
fine. iucv seal-steaks of the seals III the pantry,
she freshened up her fire, ana prepared to cook
supper Mrs. Santa Claus never permitted her
family TO become hungry. They always had
four meals day; but Kriss, who growing,
had his two lunches besides. II certainly was
great pity that neither Sir John Franklin ner
DR.. Kane ever happened upon Santa Claus when
they explored the polar regions. He is much
more hospitsbe than the Essuimau1, and would
been glad to have entertained and helped them.
His visiting circle is so very small that to see a
stranger is quite event, and there wond have
been no limit to she kindness he would have
shown them. Mrs. Santa Claus goes out still less
than her husband; 80. although she is obliged TO
have several new dresses every wear, she is never
worried BY any changes in the fashions. In fact,
she cuts the clothes for the whole family Just
alike. When Santa Claus brings home the skins
from tho grand hunts, she sorts them iatu three
piles The largest is for Santa Claus, the next
for herself, aud the little ones do tor hrss When
the three are together they are Il Comicai looking
family Tor except in size, there is no difference
in them. Another odd thing about them Is. that
they have but the one name in common. his
became very confusing after the chill! became
old enough to run about, as old 5 'nta Claus
often answered the mothers clil tor the boy,
perhaps leaving toy half flushed and the glue
cooling. He finally decided that it would be
best 10 nickname the young Santa, and called
him "Eriss Kringle"--a title he himself is known
by among the Pennsylvania Dutch. After this
there w-s 10 father trouble about names.
But to come back to Kriss upon this particular
evening. He was by no means as far away as
his mother had thought, for he had not only seen
her. but had heard her speak. But if she had
known where he was, he would have made a
quick march out. Over the stable there was
large room, neatly fitted up With boxes and
shelves. where Santv Claus kept all his finished
toys. hrsa was never allowed to 20 there with.
out his father; but here he was now, busy as he
could be- he was not as you may perhaps think
playing with the toys, for he did not care about
them now he had 40 many and knew all the Sc
crets about them. He had even helped his faith.
er to put the squeak into the dogs and pigs, and
knewGust how the strings must be put into hsr.
lequihs TO make them Jump properly, and how
the iugslers and magic lanterns were made and
so was tired of them all. He had just now, how.
ever, handled them extensively, and still
engaged in the same occupation. He had taken
out his fathers great leather bags, and was busy
filling them up with anything that came near
est to hand. Az everything in the room was fin.
ished in good style for Christians he had in spite
of his lack Of choice, made o pretty collection
His idea in doing this can be simply explained
1t was now near Christmastime, and there wa
much excitement and bushes. in the Santa Clau
domlcile. Santa Claus was hurried with SOM
extra vanishing; and between dressing dolls
making candy aud candy bags, and soeiLg tina
the No.h's arks and the menageries were al
properly assorted. Mrs. Santa Claus never wen
to bed until after twelve o'clock, Little Kris
was however, looker-on in this excitement
His parents thought him too little to work, anG
he did not care to play. Still he wanted share
in the bustle and the night before as he lay in
his little trundle.bed, watching his mother tic
sashes upon . whole row OF dolls-for she haG
the latest fashions for them, if not for herself
bright ides occurred to him What he wanted
to do wss 20 90 with his father Christmas eve &c
carry the presents to the children; but he knew
this would not be permitted The year before
ne had accomplished it, for he hid himself among
the bags and buffalo robes in the sledge, and hi.
father never found him until they reached Yer
mont, and then il was too late to turn back Blu,
there WAS no hope for him this Chris truas for be
knew the sledge would be we'll searched before
his father started. Still he did not despair; anG
a. he lay in his bed he thought that he NIGH
take the deer and sleigh some night befor,
Christmas and have a little trip of his own. H,
was now acting upon this idea; and 30, when h,
had finished packing the bags and preparing ev
erythinc necessary, he smeled seal steaks cook
ing, and coming out Of the stable, went to tn,
house.
His mother wss now busy making q walru
hash-for they always had two di'hes OF meat OF
the tahle-sud only glanced up to see that b,
was all safe and right Soon supper ready
and the father called in : but although Kriss hst
bat little appetite. he managed, between VIVA
he ate and what he stealthily put in his pocket
for midnight lunch, to satisfy his mother. Al
ter supper wss oyer his father delighted him by
saying that the work was so nearly done that hi
thought they might all 90 to bed early and take
a good nights rest. Mrs Claus rubbed her aye,
and said she would be very glad to do 40 , and
Kiss hypocritcally rubbed his also, but truth
fully remarked that the sooner they all went L
bed the better he would like It,
1t was, however, 10 o'clock before they wer,
all in bed and almost eleven before Kiss though
it safe TO start He h.d some trouble. too. will
the deer; for Vixen. the off deer. WOULD not l-
him harness her for some time and then, Just a.
he was ready 10 stars lac found that ID uc-r'- hnr
mesa was too tight However, nf'e, some wo,k
ne made everything ready lu. g"9 down tie bag
packed them safely with the tops up, but.oue,
up hi. little soai-sk,n overcrut drew on hi. fu
gloves, and was or. He drove drec.lv south
east for time, then turned south, and passe,
close ny 'he shore OF Hudson Ray, and crosse,