Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-23
Through the Register.
(ACHRrsrMAs STORY FOR THE CH1LDRE,

Through the Register.
"a CHRISTMAS STORY FOR THE CHILDREN.
What Christmas without Santa Clause:
II looked very much as If Jack and Ef1iC
Hillscombe were soon to find out what
such Christmas would be; for it was al.
ready Christmas-eve, and the house where
the two children lived was filled with the
usual good cheer. and all the hustle OF
preparing for the great event.
Papa Hillscombe sat in the big arm
chair putting on his slippers. and doing
his best to imagine himself before the
great log-fire he had known so we'll as a
boy; and there were no CRATES in the Hill
scombe house. Jack and Effic lived in a
city where, at the time OF my story. very
few families had open fire-places in their
houses and little Effic had asked her papa,
as she kissed him goodnight: "Why,
papa, how is Santa Clause goin' to get
in when there is no FIREPLACE" This
question really puzzled Papa Hillscombe,
but he told the children that Santa Clause
would find his way in. and that it would
be all right in the morning.
But after the children had gone to bed,
d QutcI lOUk CdtuC ONCl tuCit papa 9CCA-
natured face, and it was plainly to be seen
that he was thinking of little Efic's ques-
ton.
It happened, too, that the children were
not satisfied with the answer he had given
them; and while papa was locking up the
house for the night. and attending to the fur
mace, they were still exchanging opinions
on this weightv subject for their little cots.
Suddenly Jack sat bolt upright. He
had an idea! And in another moment he
had toppled out of bed and made his way
on tip-toe to Effie's cot.
A whispered consultation followed, and
in a few minutes later both little cots
were deserted, and two tiny white figures
were creeping noiselessly down the stair
case.
All the doors were locked, and all the
windows closed, and papa was just shut
ting the iron door of the great furnace in
the cellar, when he was startled by voices
which seemed to come from the furnace
itself. For moment he amused himself
with the fancy that Santa Claus was really
making his way in by the furnace; then
he thought he might have left door I'M
locked.
The thought of Santa Claus or other
less welcome visitors were, however, soon
forgotten when he heard the sound OF
children's voices, and found that it was
Jack and Effie who were talking.
Papa opened the furnace door again and
listened.
They were evidently talking near the
register, for what they said was plainly
heard through the furnace pipe by papa
Hillscombe. Jack was saying:
80 Effie! how can Santa Clus ever
bwing nay big sled through the wegister?"
cor my dolls house P" said Effie.
There was pause, then Jack exclaimed
triumphantly," know! let's take the
top off,"
But" said Ellie, "we're not bid
enough
"Oh! you're only dirl l can do it.. -
Then followed quite struggle between
Jack and the ''wegister," but it was only
after the ''drl" had come to his aid that
Jack was able to lift the iron plate; and
then Papa heard her say. in solemn
tone: do you fink. Jack, he could Diet
dolls house through dat P"
''Oh, Santa C.aus can do anything !"
was Jacks comforting reply.
The two little people were on their
knees, peering intently down the dark OPP
ening. when suddenly they were startled
by voice. which seemed to come up
through the hole in the floor. The voice
said
ats time little children were in bed |!
Santa Claus can't bring HE presents up
till everybody is fast asleepp'
The children could not tell the voice.
as it came up through the pipe, and with
a cry of HE s cumming! Santa Claus
tummingr two little figures in white
scampered upstairs and back to their;cots.
The next morning,-as bright Christ
mas Day as ever dawned-found two lit
tie figures, not in white this time, stand.
ing over pile of pretty presents heaped
up around the register; among which
might be seen brightly painted sleigh
with "Effie and Jack" in big gold letters,
en- the side, and a wonderful three story
dolls house, and Jack was exclaiming in
triumph: Didn't tell you Santa Claus
could do anything!"
So Santa Claus came into the Hills
combe parlor after all, and it was Effie
and Jack who settled for themselves the
difficult question of how he was to get in.
st. Nicholas.
Salvation Oil quickly finds its way to the
seat of the disease, allsys the Inflammation,