Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-24

thlzed with our anxiety, for we were
seated around the table half an hour
earlier than usual.
Just as papal had finished saying
grace, Ellda came rushing la from
the hall, her big blue eyes fairly stand
ing out of her head with excitement.
"Ohi I've seen Santa Claus. I've
seen him. I've seen Santa Claus Oh,
papa, Santa Claus is in the hall by the
hat-stand. / saw HING she continued,
turning to papa, and evidently want
ing to Convince one member OF the
party.
Papa jumped 10 his feet. "a sneak
th1efi' he exclaimed, running into the
hall.
We all followed, only too glad to
have an excuse for finishing break
fast IN such short order. But in the
hall there were no signs of anybody
having been there, except that in the
corner lay Toms stocking, bulky, and
looking as if it might contain pres
ents for the whole family. Tom seized
il with shout of delight, and pre-
ceeded TO empty it. But what sur
prisel An old oversnoe, a single
glove, mothers pincushion, some
candy and coal clnders mixed to-
gether, q paper weight from the Il
brary table, and an ink bottle, which
came uncorked as Tom drew it out,
and spilled the contents all over the
carpet. We were st a loss to under
stand the meaning of this, but Uncle
Jack looked at papa In sort of comic
despair, and there was an 'I-told-you-
so" expression on pspa's face that
made us think they knew more about
1t.
Hilda in the meantime kept insist
ing that she had seen Santa Claus.
Suddenly an idea seemed TO strike
her.
Il know I saw Santa Claus" she
exclaimed. 'He was standing on the
hat stand, and he had on fur coat,
and, oh, papa, ne put a letter in your
overcoet pocket"
Papa wlnked st Uncle Jack and
thrust his hand carelessiy in his over
coat. He took it out again with an
exclamation of surprise, holding In it
a square envelope. Hurriedly he drew
out the letter and crisp new green
back fell to the floor.
Where on earth do you suppose
the creature found it?' he exclaimed,
turning to Uncle Jack.
81 am sure [ don't know; but now
you have your bill, we had better fad
the creature before he does any more
HARM" said UncIe Jack.
ST don't think he has done any
harm, answered papa, ''I'll forgive
him good many tricks for this"
But it was not necessary TO search
for the creature" for HIlda came
running out of the parlor, exclaim-
ing, Santa Claus is fixing the Christ
mas tree"
WED better fx him before he
fixes it any more" remarked Uncle
Jack, as he walked into the parlor.
There on the top of the big Christ
mas tree sat Hilda's Santa Claus"
one Of the most comical looking Bra
lillian monkeys you eTer saw. He
made faces at US, and spitefulIy
threw bit of candle at Tom; but
catching sight Of Uncie Jack, he
sprang down On to his shoulder, and
sat there staring at the rest Of us with
the gravity of judge.
''This is your Christmas from me-"
said Uncle Jack, stroking the mon
keys long tail, which was twisted
around his neck like tippet, 81 did
intend to wait until after breakfast be-
fore I brought him out, but he took
the law in his own hands and played
Santa Claus before [ knew it,
And to a very good purpose, toe, .
said father.
Lets call him Santa Claus I
suggested, and Santa Claus he was
from that day. He soon learned his
name, and was very good to mind.
must say to his credit that he was a
living contradiction to the stories
about the ill-temper of monkeys. He
was as docile and affectionate as g
dog, and bis mischief was seldom ma
liclous Il great delight was 20 put
things in peoples pockets, and while
it embarrassed papa, who was a frn
hater of tobacco, to pull out O half
dozen cigars in the street when he
used his handkerchief; Or if Uncle
Jack was trlf5 angry to find when
out sleighing one day, instead Of his
gloves. pair of baby's stockings, yet
this was all forgiven in remembrance
of the time when he so successfully
played Santa Claus.