Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-12-24
MISCELLANEOUS.
EIsie's Santa Claus.


Tic burglar ran the disc of his dark lantern
along the manteI shelf and then placed to-
gethcr some of the trinkcts he found there.
II know you," cried out mellow childish
voice from the corner of the room.
The masked man was so startled that he al
most dropped his lantern, but with the quick
instinct of a criminal he grasped and clicked
his revolver aud turned his lantern towards
the sound.
Its bright circle of light shone on the wall
like the illumination of a magic lantern, and
in the centre of twas prcttier picture than
ever magic lantern exhibited. twas little
CHILD of six or seven years sitting up in her
cot. Her eyes were dazzIed with the light of
tho lantern. but they sparklcd with merri-
ment.' Her long curls fell over her shoulders
on the white embroidered little night dress.
The bnrgiar's revolver dropped to his side.
''You know mef'' he said
"Yes. 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 lime. didn't II"
The burglar didn't seem to know what to
say.
did yOu just come down the ch imnry
Won't you turn around the light SO that can
see you7 1T hurts my eyes. 1 never saw a
light Ike that. l didg't know you needed a
light. Did you always have Que ?"
'fes-geueraily. Hadn't you better go to
sleep again ?''
'oh, no, want TO see what you brought.-
Dtdiyou know was had that other dav? I've
been awful good ever since aud mamma said
she thought perhaps if 1 kept right ON being
good all the time that perhaps You wouId for
get about thattime Didyon forget7"
II forgot all aboutit. Where Is yonr mama
and papa?" -
"oh. didn't you know there was n pariy Mt
Mrs. Hammon's?' Yes It's a Christmas eve
party. They were going to take me, but they
Thought would fnu asleep Mamma saws /
get cross when wake up''
''You don't seem very, cross now"
"oh. not when Tn right awake, BUT just
when I'm not quite awake"
"Did they leave YOU here all alonet"
ooh, no; Katy was to wait mp with me but
I gHess she's down IN the kitchen. sbe1I be
Disappointed when she knows You were here.
Katy's going TO hang up her stocking. too
Are You going to put anything in it?r
81 don'tthink she deserves anything when
she left you alone"
"Oh, l think You might put something 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 shell!
have to wind and wind and wind before she
comes to it. Won't you turn the light round
so that cauisce you?"
81 don't think you would care to see me, but
I'll turn the light away so it won't hurt your
eyes There. now" ~
"oh- L can SEQ YOU little You haven't
long white beard. What is that over yonr
face2 You're not bit like Santa Claus-you
| frightcn me.
"You mustn't be frightened, my little pet
Nobody would hurt you. I'll take that of. -
"oh. does it como Off What is it for ?
Oh, I know-it is so the SCOT in the chimney
won't hurt your eyes,
That's it. IGad a sweet little girl like you
once long time ago. Perhaps If she-well,
hadn't you better go to sleep now?"
81 didn't know Santa had little girl of his
own. Is that why you bring things to little
girls ~
"Yes, that's The reason. Now, you must lie
down again and try to go 70 sIecp-tbat's a good
little ri. must go up the chimney again.
"But want to SEQ what you brought me
How eau go to sleepfif don't2 Can't you
let me have it now? I'll want to 90 to the
stocking. and when you take away the light 1t
will be dark and Fllbe afraid to go, aud then
I I'll want to. and between the 'fraid aud want
to, I'll cry"
you musu't cry and you mustn't DC afraid.
| Heye is Your present." The burglar threw
| open his revolver and tue cartridges fell into
his hand Their he snapped it shut again and
showed i's glvaniing barrel iu the light
"ohaitn't It pretty. What is it for ?"
| "Your papa viii ;ell you. You tell him that
Santa thinks be will never uss itRgain. That
pS.td.as he wont. he don't MAKE any prom
ises. viii you remember that -
Eyes. May kiss you good night7n
NO! Mol Next Christmas. perhaps. Tell
your father that Now good night-coYer up
your little head That's dghs''
.
/ When Mrs. and Mr.. Porter came home they
found Kifty sitting demureIy by the side of the
cot.
+'sbe's never stirred mum, tile little DEAR
and wirh that Katy was commended for her
watchtu1uess aud care.
The nioiber took the sleeping form in her
armsfor q goodnight hug, but suddenly let
The little chiid fall back on her pillow again.
GOOD gracious. John," she screame d y
''wheTe did the child get this?"
''Heaveus it,s my--no, It isu't-it's another
make-Wby, wbere-."
''oh, papa, that's mine" cried the sleepy
voice Of 1lies Elsie, "santa Claus brought it.
Katy was down in the kitchen, and he came
down the chimney. And papa, do you know
getting wider and wider awake as she spoke,
che has thing over his eyes to keep the SCOT
out And he don't look bit like the pictures
-oh, there it is on the floor"
Mr. Porter picked mp the burglars mask and
nuttered something very strong between his
teeth. The next moment he was applying such