The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-12-19
A CHRISTMAS FROLIC.

A CHRISTMAS FROLIC.
IL was Christmas eve. The air was crisp
and keen out doors and the stars had frosty
sparkle overhead, though there was dim
shadow creeping along the horizon that
Uncle Jack said meant snow before morning.
But IL was very bright and coy in grand
mas sitting room where an eager-faced and
chattering group of boys and girls sat before
the wide od-iashioned fire place in which
roared and sparlled n rollicking fire.
They had come down to grandpa's that
day with their papas and mammas TO spend
Christmas, and glowing visions of festive
cheer including n visit from Santa Claus kept
~ such tumult in their thoughts that their
eses were brimming with expectation, crop
ping out now and then among the boys in
some irrepressibe antic on the carpet. The
capacious old Eastern farm house had been
overfiowing with life and merriment all the
afternoon, for not only was there n family
gathering of aunts, uncles and cousins, but
several poor children of the neighborhood,
whom grandma never failed TO take under
her generous wing at Christmas time, were
there, too. and there had been such popping
of corn and cracking of nuts in the great
kitchen that when Uncle Jack set a basket of
fragrant pippins" and golden sweet" down
in their midst after supper, they were tired
enough TO settle down little and eat apples
"A.
Il s'pect he's loading up somewhere this
very minute, said demurc little Bess.
Yes" answered her sister Sue, land how
can he ever get all the things in; and what u
big, long memory he must have"
'Ob, you leave that to him" said Cousin
Ben, with n superior air, sustained by conf
dent visions of II much-desred pair of skates,
hes been in the business too long to make
any mistakes"
The prospective Christmas dinner did not
escape comments, for they had caught Gimp
ses of the plump turkeys and game in cooks
charge, and managed a peep or two into the
odorous depths of the pastry closet where
appetizing stores of mince-pLes, tarts and
frosted loaves were just waiting for to-
morrow.
Grandma was bustling about, looking
after everybody, patting n curly head here
and giving baby a toss there; her face shin
ing with such love, peace and good will that
she looked the living embodiment of Merry
Christmas in herself.
Presently someone came in with the an
nounccment that it had clouded over and was
showing fast. Sure enough, there wasn't n
star TO be seen, and the air was full! OF the
white flowers of the sky, "as if somebody had
split feather bed, +" said dimpled Fannie who
had climbed up 10 see and flattened her funny
little nose on the pane against which the big
flakes were dancing and tluttering in the
streaming lamplight outside.
The older people withdrew 10 the parlor, and
some one proposing game of "blind man >
buff" the fun was waxing fast and furious
when suddenly there was n lingling of sleigh
bells outside, n stamping and commotion in
the hall, the door swung open, and in burst "a
tall, whitc-bcarded figure with such Jolly
Christmas greetings and such merry laugh,
that grandma, who approached just then
from the parlor. declared that il must be San
IN Claus himself. Everybody rushed i'm, and
u bn "a Il nf fnrsl no " IN N N
TO the ears in n huge fur overcoat from which
he shook the snow in showers. a tall fur cap
hali-hiding CHEEKY, round face, and such n
backload of mysterious packages that after
the first start of delighted surprise the chill
dren needed no second invitation TO help him
of with his burden.
Oh, what fun it was and how he was de
G Jared lust the bestest Santa" by the wee
ones and credited by the older ones with SUI
perior wisdom. for didn't everybody get just
what they wanted the most? There was the
veritable pair of skates for Ben, the great
flaxen-haired beauty, with eyes that would
''go TO sleep and wake up, that Bessie had
seen in her dreams, cunning little chest of
tools for ingenious Freddie, u treasure of a
workbox for Sue, "A dainty writing case Cor
Jennie and no end of bright pictured books,
marbles and toys of all descriptions.
After a great deaf of joyful tumult and
jostlng about and distributi,n by grandpa,
it was found that nobody was forgotten, TO
cook and John in the kitchen, who had useful
presents, and even dear old Lion, the big
Newfoundland had a brand new collar with
his name on il.
Now, for such busy fellow as Santa must
be, this was wonderful, the young folks
thought, and when they turned to say so, and
thank him for coming so early. and have "A
good look at dear old Santa, they only heard
the front door shut hurriedly, jingle of
bells, n catter of noofs that must be reindeer
without doubt and the wonderful vision of
Santa had disappeared.
If anybody was inclined 10 be skeptical
there were the presents as solid and most
agreeable proofs 10 the contrary. you see.
Is Santa any relation 10 u.s." said Kate
in an aside TO mamma an hour later, cause
his voice sounded some like Uncle Jacks, and
he wore coat that looked like grandpa's big
one turnedsnside out, you know"
"Oh, said grandma, suppose he is liz
tie related to everybody, especially the chill
dren," which explanation was quite satisfao
tory.