The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-12-27
Santa Claus and His Dealing.
with Robbie.

" aAh ASOnDhe.
Bobbie NoLng was fine little fellow,
on the whole, although he was spoilt by
being the least little bit in the world
selfish. lie was the only son of Mr. and
Mrs Young, so there WAS a little excuse
for 1t. Tie lived up i'm the north Of
| I orkshire, IN nice house in town.
In winter Bobbie always enjoyed himself
very much, for he used to slide and snow
/ ball, and go to pantomimes and parties
/ but the night to which all his hopes and
fears were directed, for at least a month
before it came, was Christmas eve. for
then Santa Claus used to put in Bob
ble's stocking all the things that Bobbie
wished for. Oh the delight on the next
morning of disgorging the we'll fed stock
ing of sundry articles-balls, tops.
skates, sweets, and everything nice!
Bobbie used to be in good temper all
day long on Christmas day. Aud this
had happened ever since Bobbie was
three years old, and had first discovered
a lovely punch waiting for him. Now
one Christmas eve Bobbie was making
fun of the little kitchen maid, Betsev.
who had only been a short time there.
She, poor little thing, was dreadfaly
troubled with chilblains, and hobbled
about in her "holey old shoes rs Bob
bic called them, looking very miserable.
She was looking forward to no Santa
Claus Gin fact, had that gentleman been
benevolently disposed toward her, his
intentions would have been frustrated
effeclualIy by the large holes in her Old
y1sTf ct y
wanted to wine 10 her old mother she
could not, because no one had even
taught her how to write. Her poor
eyes were full of tears when Bobbie |
came into the kitchen ''for fun" as he |
said. He hobbled about just like Bet
sey, until the cook said she was i'll with !
laughing, and that ''shure it wor as like
Betsy's walk as two peas" Finally
papa, hearing a great noise below, or
dered Master Bob to bed, adding ''The
boy is so full Of spirit about Santa Claus
that ho can't keep still"
When Bobbie went 70 sleep he dream
ed fearful dream. He thought that
an old man came down the chimney
Santa Claus, in fact, ia one hand he
carried bag full Of toys of all kinds,
another large bag was over his shout
ders, trumpets and drums and punches
were suspended from all parts of his
body, and upon his head was a three
red cap. In the other hand,
however, he carried the rod that turns
red when Santa Claus is angry. G.,
when he goes into the room of naughty
little folks, and, alas for Bobbie's hopes,
he rod turned a most brilliant scarlet
The little man stepped briskly across
he room to Boobies stocking, hung up
ust where every one could see it, and
consulted with himself in a loud whisper.
"This must be a greedy little fellow;
re hangs hs stockings So that | can't pos
IDLY miss it we'll, never mind every
mid does that And Santa Claus was
ust popping into the stocking a lovely
title brass cannon, Just what Robbie
wanted, when unfortunately he glanced ,
It the rod, which turned q still more ;
'ivid red "Ah ~ said Santa Claus, .
that's because he leased that poor
Betsy about her chilblains But III
erve him out He shall have some as
veil rs Betsy" And he picked out
ONE large red Jumps, chilblains, in fact,
ut them into the stocking, and suddenly ,
isappearel up tho chimney, while
}obbie lay transhixed with surprise.
When he arose next morning, 50 ,
ivid did last nights occurrence appear {
hat he half suspected to find some
hilhlaius in his stocking and he ran to c
ee if it were really 50. Imagine his .
orror : the stocking was empty! Our r
ero sal down upon the bed, and sobbed !
5 if his heart would break. But he .
lought if he were not dressed in time
lamma and papa would come, and then
e shoHld be teased for being such a
ably as to cry because his stocking was J.
mpty. !
So he prepared right manfully to put y
n The stockings But Oh when one foot /
OF 10 the bottom there was something :
ave it such a bump-cold, round and !,
ard. Bobbie screamed 20 loudly that =
apa and mamma rushed in from their
pom.
"What is the matter loye% said G
amma. \
Observation-Disclosures" gulped out y
sr hopeful son, pulling out his foot as II
Tough a serpent had stung him. But +"
e foot had nothing the matter with it,
I'd so he turned the stocking cautiously z
side out, when 10 out rolled u bright
ew sovereign. .
There, Bob" said papa, "we thought c.
~ We're too old for toys, so you may ci
'end that Just as you like, my boy ir
1t what is the matter? What makes 81
IN SO sad?"
Then out came the history of the j.,
cam, and how Bobbie had thought that u
e something cold in the stocking was a a
iserable chilblain, such as Betsy had. - se
nd papa talked to Master Bobbie about ~
5 unkind teasing with such effect that 7,
on after breakfast the sovereign was spent III
some boots and stockings and warm
ings for the poor girl, who quite forgave W
aster Bob all his tricks, and cried with ia
y and pride when she saw herself thus al
rayed. And that very night Bobbie
rote, in large hand, letter for Betsy to
+ mother, and also began to teach Betsy Sc
,rself the mysteries Of her books. So, 10
ter all, she had reason to be thankful tb
r Santa Claus and to Bobbie. Little D.
olks. fr