The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-12-21
"MR CLAWS.'

The wind that hurried across the
snow-covered prairie had an icy keen
ness that portended a cold Christmas
on the morrow 1t crept through the
gaps in the underpinning and up
through the cracks in the sycamore
floor of Widow Shores little implanted
house, causing the inmates to huddle
closer about the small stove.
"Wal," announced little Sam, I'm a.
goin' to hang up my stockin', anyhow.
1T won't do no good" spoke Maggie,
the oldest of the youthful Shores and
the elder Of little Sam by two years
''You won't git nuthin'. Sandy Claws
has plumb forgot us
"Mebby he has," quoth Sam; but Ill
sorto jog his mem'ry."
mo USE complained Maggie. Hes
plumb forgot us. Hain't he, maw?'
Looks a heap that away answered
Widow Shore.
Her drawing voice had morlrnful
cadence.
wal, you Jest see if I don't make
him think Of us!' Dragged little Sam.
Yes, I'll see" complained Maggie
Were lucky if We git two bites
apiecc for tO-mOrrOW'S Chris mus dim
ner"
''You jest wait, that's all" was Sans
rejoinder Sandy Claws will come
round all right"
In spite of his brave words little Sam
was by no means as hopeful as he pre-
tended to be. AIaggie's complaint that
Santa Claus had wholly forgotten them
had depressing effect upon his spirits.
But he proceeded to put into execution
his plan for jogging the memory of
the patron saint for the coming Christ
mas tide.
Widow Shore absorbed by her own
dismal thoughts, paid little heed to his
piqued at his lack Of sympathy with
her gloomy representations. watched
him curionsly, and the twins and the
baby specialized upon the personal ap-
pearancc Of Santa Claus, and asked all
manner Of questions.
Tor some time little Sam worked
steadily, making with the hot poker q
huge sign on small board. Then
when the sign was completed to Sans
entire satisfaction, a question from
the baby caused an alteration in the
work.
rs he Mister Sandy Claws?" wheezcd
the baby.
The little fellow, still called "the
baby" although he was nearly four
years old, was the victim of a cold that
made his little voice but a combination
Of croak and wheezc
Maybe it would be more proper to adj
dress Santa Claus as Mister" little
Sam thought The favor he desired
would be a large one, and, therefore,
called for all the courtesy he could COM
mand
A difficulty arose. His spraWling let
ters occupied nearly all Of the board,
y and there was no room to add the title.
Sam quickly dismissed the thought of
putting it on the back of the board. 1t
was not probable that Santa Claus
would think to look at the back Of the
sign. and thus the effect of the title
would be lost.
Finally Sam laboriously whitfield
away the SANDY with which he had
begun the legend, substituting for it
"AIstur 81 written IN highly eccen-
trio manner with the hot poker.
When finished, the name of the
Christmas saint was masQucrading un
der the partial guise Of mister S
Claws"
While little Sam viewed bis handi
work with supreme satisfation, the
baby and the twins We're loud in their
admiration, and even critical Maggie
was forced to confess that f Sain
Nicholas memory was not logged by
that sign y it was hopelcssly beyond tn,
reach Of all jogging.
Widow Shore remarked to the effec
that it was not only Il scholarly but Ill
artistic piece of work.
Bundling himself up as we'll as posi-
bic with the scanty wraps at hand
little Sam passed out into the cold
with the precious sign under his lon!
coat-a relic Of his dead father.
A few flakes were whirling down
ward, and soon the air was whit
with falling snow. The wind increased
and sent the flakes hurrying past lii
tie Sans face as he trudged bravel
on.
The keen wind pierced his Worn gal
ments, but his young blood seemed t
defy the chilling blast, and, busy wit
his hopeful thoughts, he almost forge
the cold.
He looked approvingly at the whir
Ing snow.
"I'm mighty glad it come," he ,nu
tered. 'Was afraid it wouldn't be dee
enough for Sandy Claws sleigh. Bt
at'll be all right now
you don't reckon he went on, pre-
emily addressing an imaginary a,Aito
shat the snoW'n be fallin' so fast tn:
he can't see the sign?'
"No; he'll see it fast enough" I
went on chaalily. His eyes air ust
Sccln Ill. >,lOW StoTE.S. .H.=. ~