The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1886-06-13

wilhia twenty-four hours l could make
the alteration needed, and that my inven-
ton was practically perfect, and then
went to bed TO sleep like top, and dream
of my brother George, nay dazzling Beatrice
and my handsome and spiritual Santa
Claus.
In the morning, as soon as The stores
we're open, | HE'D me to the one where
had seen the ring. but it was gone from
the window. went inside and asked for
il. and was informed by the proprietor
that il had been purchased the night be-
fore by a gentleman, and sent, at bis re-
quest, to n lady. The lady's name? That
they could not divulge. What did the
gentleman look like? A very singular
and eccentric looking person, who spoke
not at all, but asked the price, paid the
money in gold, wrote the lady's name and
address, signed it From Santa Claus, aud
went away, and then they gave me des-
cription OK the night before, accurately
What price did be payi Three hundred
dollars. Whew! In my ignorance Of
dollars, and had come there to buy it at
that, in case Santa Claus had forgotten il,
although did not think he would.
self with new wardrobe, for I suddenly
became painfully aware that for the last
year had been very careless in my cloth
ing; and when put it on aud surveyed
myself in the glass, / felt the importance
Of being well dressed. I was eager for
the hours too speed on that | might go
and see Beatrice and tell her the strange
result of the night before, and so ! stretch
ed them little and appeared at her house
by 10 o'clock. The dear girl ran down
stairs and into the parlor, throwing her
self into my arms, laughing and crying.
" Merry ChristmasI Obi Merry Christ
mas, Johnl You dear old John, what
have you been doing2 How could you
afford to send me that beautiful ring 7
Obi John, I am afraid
But before she could say any more
had kissed her, led her to the sofa, and
grayely told her the story OF the night be-
fore. But if was grave, Beatrice was
not, for she laughed consHmedly the whole
time, and when had finished, almost
made me angry provided ] could get
angry at the dear girl at abby asking me
if was 10 earnest
swell, | had already received from Pa
what L called slab-sided invitation to
Christmas dinner some days before, but
had declined; but now, when twas given
by Ma. accepted it, and spent one of the
happiest days of my life. 1t is astonish-
ing what an effect a $500 ring and hand
some clothes have on elderly people
II sat up nearly all that night at work
on my model, and the next day was able
TO show my capitalist the machine work
ing TO a charm, and on the day following
that had his check in my pocket for
$25, 900.
Now, all waited for was the fulfill
ment of what Santa Claus had said about
my brother George he was alive and
well, and would be with me in few
days. How | would surprise him with
anything now as long as lived, for was
certain now of fortune, and the dear old
fellow should share it, and live with me.
looked for him as confidently as looked
for each morn, and would not change
from my garnet room, where fortune had
fell on me, until he came; and on the
morning OF the third day he did come.
knew 1t was be in Il moment, although he
did not look bit like the delicate lad who
had went away nearly dozen years be-
fore. could recognize nothing, but my
instinct soon taught me. We Rugged aHd
kissed and laughed and cried for few
minutes, and then we talked for hours
told him OF my good fortune, and then,
with another hug, said that it was equally
his, at which he looked very serious, and
squeezed few more tears, and I related
10 him the story Of Santa Claus, and he
laughed even more heartily than Beatrice,
but made no remarks. Then we went to
see Beatrice, and was delighted that
each liked the other at first sight.
And now there's only one thing that
Santa Claus did rot tel me right, and that
was about Georges being poor. He was
far from it; the dear boy had made mil
lion out of railroads ia South America,
and though have been too prosperous
myself ever to want his help, know that
the whole Of it would have been at my
service.
~Of course you know that Beatrice and
were married. 1t was in the FEBRUARY
following that Christmas, and George
married Bcatrice's little sister Agnes on
The following Christmas day.
Now have told this story to half a
dozen people, and / will tell it TO nobody
again who laughs at it. Why, enc fool
was stupid enough to suggest that il was
all some masquerading Of my brother
Georges, who had already arrived at home.
and for some rsasVn Of bis OWN played the
part OF Santa Claus Why, did the fellow
think I had no eyes? The hair Of The dear
boy was blonde and cut close. Santa
Claus's was brown and long. George had
no beard. Santa Claus had black one,
Then the costume of my visitor was
quaint, and one that might have been
worn By the early Christians, while George
was dressed in the most modern of Co.'S
tunes in the most exquisite taste. To be
sure, he was bronzed. as anybody would
have been in eight years OF South Ameri-
can life. Mol mol I'm not donkey, at
any rate, and think / know real man
from spirit, any day. ("
tits enough to say that I did not laugh