Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-12-20
Kris Kingle is coming, hi Oh o,
Kris kingle is coming. hi O i O.


over and over, and over again.
And, even as she turned away from the
window and sought her mamma and papa
TO kiss them good night, the rhythm of
that melodious measure adjusted itself TO
her footsteps; it followed her up the stairs;
along the hall; TO her bed room door.
Kris kingie is coming, hi Of o.
'O!" she opened her bedroom door;
food OF delightful warmth and light came
from the fire so brightly aglow in the CRATE:
then she closed the door and was alone in
her own little room.
She looked toward the mantlepiece. Yes,
there it hung. Surely the little girl couldn't
wear that large stocking. O, no; that was
mammals. But Santa Claus wouldn't
mind that, she thought; beside, she had
been a good girl, and then Christmas only
came once year.
The freight, with tender touch, trans
formed her curly locks into rudy gold. 1t
embraced her with guardian kiudliness
and fell upon her as a benediction as she
knelt to say her prayers.
"Oh God, bless papa and mamma and
make Estetlle good girl'-that was all, at
least that was usually all her prayer, but
tonight she added: And please tell Kris
Kinke TO send mamma and papa lots OF
Christmas presents" and then-dear little
heart! reserving her request for the last,
II want a new dolly, because the sawdust
is all out Of Polly's left leg, and new sled,
and fur muff, and please God tell Kris
kinke to bring-Op Estelle raised her
head and listened, her blue eyes wide with
wondering expectancy. There it was again
"tinkle, tinkle, iing-a-ling' away oil in the
distance--thc sound OF silvery sleigh bells,
coming nearer and nearer "1rnkle tinkle,
iing -aling," louder aud louder All! it is
on the roof-at the chimney. whoa !"
shouted merry voice. Estelle's face
beamed with Joy She was not afraid. Her
hands were clasped before her. aud her
eyes are fastened upon the fireplace.
Sea- pair Of fur-clad legs appear, a
round body, and at last merry face with
twinkling roguish eyes, and there upon the
hearth-rug before her stood Kris King.e
And O what n pack he bore upon his
shoulders! Gifts for every body, large and
small dollies, hobby horses, sleds, drums,
trumpets-evcrything.
She paused for one tremulous moment OF
hesitation, and then running forward bold
~ clasped Kris Kingle about one of his fat
arms, and, although her little mind was full
OF questions and messages all she said was
20! o! OPP Kris Kingle eyed the little
girl with startled, though kindly glance
"Well! well!' he exclaimed, this is uu-
usual, must say; can't recollect anything
of kind before And laying his chubby
hand softly upon her golden hair, he asked :
And how does il come this little girl is
not fast asleep like other good girlsr'
20, but have been a good girl, )" exclaim-
ed Estelle; and didn't think .ood people
need be afraid OF Kris kingle.n
well, there's some truth in that" ac-
knowledged the oily little fellow, land
you needn't be afraid OF anybody else
either"
but tell me-" interrupted Estclle, what
have you brought meP and encouraged by
his kindly glance she asked, "Have you a
dolly that can roll its eyes and talk and
laugh and cry new sled, a fur muff, and
lots and lots Of booksi."
"Ho, Ho" laughed Kris Kringle as TO
produced for the delighted child the articles
she named-"what greedy little girl it is !!
Anything else,'
20, yes; nuts and Candles" answered
Estelle, looking toward the stocking on the
mantelpiece.
"Bless me-" said Kris Kringle, as he pre-.
pared to put the sweetmeats into the stock.
ing. Can it be that this little girl wears
that big thing' Why, If fill that what
will the other little girls in the neighbor
hood dol DO you wear THAR"
NO." acknowledged Estelle, "it's man.
mas; but / don't think you would mind,
because you only come once n year"
The kindliest and frcndliest OF smiles
winkled in the Jolly old fellows eyes,
dimpled his cheeks, slipped in chuckles
from his lips, turned to contagious laugh.
ter; then going TO the man tel piece he filed
the stocking with sweetmeats until it was
full TO running over.
Nov, little girl" he said. "bc careful
not to make yourself sick: don't try to eat
all the candy at once Come now, haven't
you kiss for an old chap like mer'
70 yes dozens and DOZENS" cried Es-
telle. and pulling Ills face down to the level
Of hers she kissed him on the checks, the
nose, the lips, until he cried out "Therc,
there that will do; you'll eat me present.
ly. Now, goodbye" and he started toward
the fiYer,lace