The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-12-25
az WAY or THE REGISTER.


What is Christmas without Santa
Claus? 1t looked very much as II Jack
and Eilie Hillscombc were soon to find
out what such Christmas would be;
for 1t was already Christmas Eve, and
the house whore the two children lived
was filled with the usual good cheer.
and all the hustle Of preparing for the
great event.
Papa Hillscombc sat in the big arm
chair putting on his slippers, and do
ing his best to i'm aginc himself before
the great og-iire he had known so well
as a boy; for there were no CRATES in
the Hillscombc house. Jack and Ellie
lived in city where, ut the time Of
my story. very few families had open
fire-places in their houses; and little
Ellie had asked her papa. as she kissed
him goodnight: why. papa. how is
Santa Claus coin' to del in when there
is no fire-placc'" This question really
puzzled Papa Hillscombe, but he told
the children that Santa Claus would
find his way in. and that it would be
all right in the morning.
But after the children had gone to
bed queer look came over their papa's
good-natured face. and it was plainly
to be seen that he was thinking Of little
Eflie's question.
II 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 &c the furnace, they were
still exchanging opinions on this
weighty subject from 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
wa, on tip-toe to Efiic's cot.
A whispered consultation followed.
and in few minutes later both little
cots were deserted. and two tiny white
figures were creeping noiselcssly down
the staircase.
All the doors were locked and all the
windows closed, and papa was just
shutting the iron door II the great fur
mace 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 unlocked.
The thoughts Of Santa Claus or other
less welcome visitors were. however,
soon forgotten when he heard the sound
OF children's voices, and found that IL
was Jack and Eflie 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 Hillscombc. Jack was say
20 Eflic! how can Santa Claus ever
bwing my big sled through the wegis-
terP'S
s.Or my dolls housep" said Ellie.
There was a pause, then Jack ex-
claimed, triumphantly: n know! let's
| take the top of. y
But" said Ellie. "we're not bid
enough"
"Oh! you're only dirl; can do II. y
Then followed quite a struggle be-
tween Jack and the ..wegister," but It
was only after the ''dirl'' had come to
his aid that Jack was able TO lift the
iron plate; and then papa heard her
4 say, IN solemn tone: ''D0 you INK,
Jack, he could Diet Z dolls house
through datP"
"Oh, Santa Claus can do anythingr'
was Jacks comforting reply.
| The two little people were on their
knees, pccring intently down the dark
opening. when suddenly they were
startled by voice. which seemed TO
come up through the hole in the floor.
| The voice said:
| "It's time little children were in bcdl
Santa Claus can't bring his presents
till every body is fast aslccp!'
| The children could not tell the voice,
~ Il came up through the pipe, and
with cry Of Hes tumming!' Santa
Claus Il tummingr' two little figures
in white scampered upstairs and back
\ to their COTS
! The next morning Gas bright Christ
mas Day a. ever dawncdJ found two
little figures, not in white this time,
standing over pile Of pretty presents
heaped up around the register; among
which might be seen brightly painted
sleigh with "Efhc and jack" In big
Rold letters. on the side. and . wonder.