Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-28
BARTY's DREAM.
A Christmas story Tor the boys.

mantel top. He turned over III his bed,
but could not doze off. He wondered in
his little mind whether, if he lay quite
still and pretended sleep, he might not
fool Santa Claus, for If he suspected him
to be awake he would leave his presents in
another room. No sooner had Barty de-
cided to sham sleep than he heard the
most melodious tinkling of soft bells
coming down the wind that he ever heard.
They sounded so sweet and soothing that
if lie had not been mindful of his resolu-
ton he would have fallen asleep, and so
not have seen what followed. The bells
came nearer and nearer, until it seemed
to Barty that the whole air outside was
full OF music. Suddenly, as the strains
were directly over the house, the melody
ceased and the great clock down stairs in
the hall chimed 3.
| With bated breath Barty listened. A
few low caressing tones, as if words were
addressed TO beasts well loved, were watt
ed down the chimney to where the little
fellow lay in his bed A moment more,
and without the slightest noise, the form
of an old man entirely filled the space in
front of the fire. He had long pipe in
his mouth, and although he was con
stantly putting out great clouds Barty did
not smell anything. He was dressed in
red ; on his legs were velvet tights with
Russia leather boots OF the finest quality
that reached to his knees n fancy tassel
of gold silk hung from the front of each
of them from the extreme top his coat
was tight-hghting, buttoned up the front,
and was trimmed with costly fur; broad
belt was buckled round his waist, and
held by gold chain was whistle and a
beautiful riding whip his face was jolly
and his figure round his hair and beard
were long and white, the upper part OF
his head being confined by a red velvet
cap and tasscl. CHANGING quickly to
right and left he raised the whistle to his
lips and softly blew such sweet lullaby
sound that if Barty had not been again
mindful lie would certainly have fallen
asleep STOPPING he lifted, what Barty
had not noticed before, a large bundle
and what do you think he first drew out,
as easily as you or put off our coats-a
real, live, black pony! 1t fairly took
Bartys breath away-then he took sad
die and bride, and drawing whip from
his belt, coolly pushed pony, saddle,
bride, whip and all into Barty's stocking,
then he quietly returned to his bag and
proceeded to take out the other presents
and fill the other stockings. Then he
drew chair to the dying fire, softly kick
ed the embers into a gentle blaze, sat
down and laughed, his sides shaking oil
the while, until Barty really thought the
chair would break. Suddenly he sprane
to his feet, looked at his watch, muttereo
$50 late" and was up through the chin
new like n wink. In second the air wa'
filled with the silver tinkle of the depart
| ing bells, and the sound of which being
too much for little Barty instantly sen
him into deep slumber, from which ht
did not awake until morning.
CHAPTER II.
Yes. Christmas had arrived, indeed
and what glorious frosty morn usheret
it III All nature looked 80 still ant
grand. When Barty awoke his frs
thought was of the live pony that SAINT
Claus had put in one of his stockings
and hastily throwing down the bed clothe
he jumped to the floor and ran over t.
it.
But what was his amazement to fin'
the stocking empty In vain he peere'
into 1.-THE fellow to it hung by its sid
cram full of good things which Barty has
tily pulled out, thinking the pony Nigh
have Jumped in it from the one in whicl
he was deposited while Barty was asleep
But no pony. Barty then looked unde
the beds. poked in the closet but he coul
nowhere find him-pony, saddle, bride
and whip had disappeared.
"Have You seen anything OF q pony
he asked of Tottie and Louise.
a what 2" they both cried:
"a pony. | saw Santa Claus in til
:, night, and he put one in that stocking
n y but now it's empty
:. "Oh 90 is dreaming" said Tottie.
"Certainly he is, laughed nurse
mo, I'm not, urged Barty.
"Thcn where is he?" asked Louise.
Poor Barty, indeed, was perplexed-l
d was quite sure he had seen what he {
earnestly asserted, and would not be con
n forted with the other presents, which, II
decd, were numerous ard beautifl
enough to have more than satisfied him
it had not been for his vision.
CHAPTER Ill.
What dinner it was at the Lunt
Ie that day. The table was dressed in iioo'
y ers, beautiful cut glass, tall silver cande
- abra with white candles, protecting Il
flames by red shades, while in the cent
was an immense opergnc filled with o
anges, lady apples, candies. etc Aft
soup and fish had been served, the butt
with great solemnity carried in on lari
silver dish roasted pig with an apple
its mouth, its sides being garnished wi
this point of the entertainment was We
posed of and other goodies followe
e. Il / M
ne Barty asked to set fire to it which W
IL done by him i'll manner truly worthy
&c the occasion. Then the dessert was pa'
cd around, the servants withdrew and
al proceeded to make merry over their III
,a height servant hastily enteredand VIII
re pered something in Mr.. Lunts ear. L
m. effect was magical. In great astonis
sc meut he turned to the man aud sal
of "Are you sure?" eyes, 5ir," he answ
art ed, "and the by who brought it has I
10 away after ringing the front door bel
"What is it?' called out everybot
"Why, what do you think" said \
H. front door and has run away" "a pom
=. they all exclaimed while Barty, una
~, to control himself shouted, chats mi
" | didn't dream after all. - Instantly eve
body quilted the dining room, all W
al dering who had sent the pony. WI
IS they emerged in the hall the large no
ing doors were open. and there, with the lii
or from within streaming over him, stoo
n. beautiful black Shetland pony, He
VT. Mt once surrounded and admired. 1t "
ned indeed, the same little pony, Barty 81
ed that was put in his stocking. His sad
tin and bride were made Of soft white lea
rco er, and the letters "B. a." were
Ijov graved on his silver rosettes. at IN
ord be for Barty," said Mr.. Lunt, "but ,
nily could have sent it, Barty, who, dur
lase the inspection, had been alternately <
nuy ing aud petting the little horse, su1de
was cried out, "Here, papa, what's this?'
inns Lunt looked Mt 'this" and saw it W
lies small tag tied to pOuys rein. and ON i