The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-12-23
HOW THE STOCKINGS WEIR E
FILLED. sasgsaa 60 ss.u

fusSy got into the mousse somehow,
Just as the least little streak ofmorning
light was beginning to peep through
the window curtains, FandsSstol ups
stairs. She jumped upon the bed, and
cubbed her cold nose against Lillsface,
and Weakened her.
Lii sprang up in her bed, for it came
to her like a flash: ''It's Christmas
nayr'
''Bessie, wake up! Merry Christmas"
she cried, pattering downstairs to the
,sitting-room, after the Christmas stock
.ings. 7a.sH l|lar. nal ~
They hadn't doubt OF finding them
full. Santa Claus had never forgotten
them yet GO bes frt ssh s7r
You can imagine, then, their dismay
when each little girl clasped limp
and empty stocking, with not so much
as a sugar-plum to fill out the toe.
They ran 10 mammals bedroom to
pour out their complaints, ~
Santa Claus forgot us.'' cried Lii,
with starting tears.
He didn't bring us anything" said
Bessie, throwing herself across her
mothers feet in an agony of grief.
IL think its too badr' said Lill
'.He' real mean. I'll never like him
again!' sail Bessie RNhfsW a
''Oh, go back to bed" said mamma.
you've gDt up too early. How do you
expect Santa Claus can always get
around before daylight? There are
such mum bers of little boys and girls,
the wonder is that he gets round at all.
He d never forget you, I'm sure. Go
back, and curl down in bed till it really
light. Then get up and dress your
selves nicely before you come down,
and YOU see what you'll see. -
"a Rather. disconsolate the little girls
went back to bed. uas.., ..-a..
"You needn't feel so bad Bessie
Bradley. Haven't you found out
more'n a hundred times, that mamma
knows about things better'n we do?'
said Lii.
II amt feelin' bad any more'n you
are, and Santa Claus is comm in
about nine or eight minutes said
Bessie. s.tre 10
While waiting for daylight they talked
of the presents they hoped to have, and
as soon as the sun peeped above the
eastern horizon they were up, and put
ting on their clothes as quickly as pos
sible, went down stairs.
There was nobody in the sitting-room.
A fire was burning in the CRATE, and the
stockings hung against the mantel, but
they still looked limp. ..,......
They were not near enough to be
sure they were empty, when loud
"oot! tool! tootn' sounded from some
where, with jingling of bells and a
tramping of feet.
Hes coming! o, Lii Bradley, old
Santa's comingp' said Bessie, cling
ing to her sister skirts. Lii held her
breath and said nothing I'tl
The door few open, and in bounced
Santa Claus, sure enough! He wore a
very furry coat and red cap. high and
pointed at the top, and bound with fur.
His eyes were hidden behind great
silver-rimmed spectacles, and his hair
and beard were long and white as snow.
Mamma came out of the bedroom
just then, and Bessie and Lii sided up
to her, and caught each one OF her hands,
| feeling half afraid of the queer, Jolly
old elf" and then stood, silent and
watching,
The great pack upon Santa's back
didn't seem to be empty yet, and there
were packages peeping out OF every
| pocket. out of the breast of his coat, and
even out of his sleeves. He seemed in
a tearing hurry.
"Whew whewp' said he. This is
the first chance I've had to take breath
since / started out last night. So many
youngsters to visit this year! thought
never should get round. Whew! how
hot it is here. Well, let's seev'
He whirled the pack from his back
down on the rug. and began rummag'
ing vigorously among the packages
within it. ''Only two stockings to fill
here, and little ones at that I've lots
of presents left over"
He drew out package, held his heaC
on one side with a funny little grimac'
as he peeped into it, and then thrust il