Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-12-21
miscellaneous.
ELSIE'S SANTA CLAUS.

The burglar ran the bright disc of his
dark lantern along the mattel shelf and
then placed together some of the trinkots
he found there.
II know YOU" cried out mellow
childish voice from the corner of the
room.
The masked man was startled that
he almost dropped his lantern, but with
the quick instinct of criminal he
grasped and cooked his revolver and
turned the lantern toward the sound.
Its bright circle Of light shone on the
wall like the illumination of magic
lantern, and in the center of it was u
prettier picture than ever magic Ian
tern exhibited 1t was little child of
six or seven years sitting up in her cot.
Her eyes were dazzled with the light
of the lantern, but they sparkled with
merriment. Her long curls fell over
her shoulders on the white embroidered
little night dress.
The burglars revolver dropped to his
side.
"You know me ~ he said
ayes. You're Santa Claus. tried
to keep awake last time, but | couldn't.
| think | was asleep this time when you
came, but [ walked up just in time,
didn't II"
The burglar didn't seem to know what
to say.
"Did you just come down the chin
ney? Won't you turn around the light
so that can see you 1t hurts my eyes
| never saw light like that. | didn't
know you needed light. Did you al.
ways have one Z"
"Yes-generally. Hadn't you better
go to sleep again 7"
"Oh, no, want to see what you
brought. Did you know was bad
that other day? I've been awful good
ever since and mamma said she thought
perhaps if kept right on being good
all the time that perhaps you would for
get about that time. Did you forget ?"
II forgot oil about it. Where is your
mamma and papa?"
ooh, don't you know there was a
party at Mrs. Hammon's? Yes It's q
christmas Eve party. They were 60
ing to take me, but they thought |
would fall asleep. Mamma says | get
cross when [ wake up"
"You don't seem very cross now"
ooh, not when I'm right awake, but
Just when Pm not quite awake"
"Did they leave you here all alone ?"
"Oh, no; Katy was to wait up with
me, but | guess she's down in the
kitchen. She'll be Disappointed when
she knows you were here. Katy's 60
ing to hang up her stocking, too. Are
you going to put any thing in tn
II don't think she deserves any thing
when she left you alone"
ooh, think you might put some
thing in or she'll be awful Disappointed,
and then you could put in . potato for
leaving me alone. Wrap it up in lots
of pieces of paper SO she'll have to wind
aud wind before she comes to it. Won't
you turn the light round so that can
see you ?"
81 don't think you would care to see
me, but I'll turn the light away 80 il
won't hurt your eyes. There, now"
ooh, can see you little. You
haven't long white beard What is
that over your face? You're not BIZ
like Santa Claus-you Brighten me"
: "You mustn't be frightened, my lit.
tie pet. Nobody would hurt you. III
take that Off"
"Oh, does it come off ? What is i
for? Oh, | know-it is so the SCOT il
! tho chimney won't hurt your eyes"
( "That's it. / had a sweet little CIR
; like you once--a long time ago. Per
haps if sho-well, hadn't you better g
' to sleep now?"
II didn't know Santa had little CIR
Of his own. Is that why you brin
/, things to little girls?"
"Yes, that's the reason. Now. 20
must lie down again and try to 60
sleep-thats a good little girl. l mus
60 up the chimney again"
"But I want TO see what you brougt
u me. How can | go to sleep il | don't
: Can't you let me have it now? I'll war
d to 90 TO the stocking, and when yo
q take away the light it will be dark an
it I'll be afraid to go, and then I'll wal
= to, and between the 'fraid and want-t
I'll cry"
: "You mustn't cry and you mustn't
- afraid. Here is your present" III
. burglar threw open his revolver and 4