The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24

a cold, clear frosty night. the moon was
shining brightly. end it's rays falling upon
the snowy covering which over-spread the
earth, reminded one OF fairy-land "An
elegant night" muttered Santa, and then
touched the reindeer lightly with his whip.
They bounded into the air, and. in few
minutes the palace was entirely out OF
sight. and we were speeding rapidly over
Hudson bay. Santa was in excel
lent spirits. and chatted all the way along.
telling amusing anecdotes from his varied
experiences.
"My first landing" he cried, as we
leared a little hut down in the valley
Whoa, my beautiesr And quick as
thought, we landed noiselessly on the
roof.
Santa Claus was out and down the
chimney in a trice, and, before / could
say Jack Robinson" was by my eide
again, whipping up his deer. Such rapid
ity surprised me. and l looked at him
with an incredulous smile. All" he said
knowingly, and with a merry twinkle in
his eye. I'VE fellows have to make quick
work Of this business"
on first stopping at one place. and then
at another. we went until we lighted
on the roof Of a spacious mansion. Two
little favorites Of mine live here" he said
and then popped down the chimney. He
was not quite so lively in getting out this
time; / was beginning TO get alarmed.
when out he came, shoeless, and laugh
ing merrily, sprang In by me. such an
adventure" he cried. when he had re-
gained his breath; they thought they
had me this time. and so did l. You see
the chimney is a little smaller near it's
base: / had gotten down all right with
very little trouble. but found II pretty
rough getting up again. / was squeezing
through, however, pretty successfully,
when / felt something Juggling at my feet,
and, then. heard children's voices crying
TO papa, that they had caught Santa Clausl
Well / knew something was TO be done.
and, RENDERING that my shoes were
little large, / wriggled my feet around
until, presently, i managed TO burst a
button or two, and then slipped them out
leaving each child holding a shoe. and
looking decidedly crestfallen."
Jolly old Santa Claus laughed again at
the recollection and then looked around
for another pair OF shoes
you see" he said, by way OF explana-
ton, II always keep extras on hand 10
provide for emergencies"
We were flying through the air at an
incredible rate OF speed while all this
was happening. so by this time. we had |
crossed the Atlantic. and were now near |
ing Englands shore London claimed our |
attention for some time. and then we |
shot over the English channel TO Paris, |
St Petersburg Berlin Hamburg, and other |
European cities. Across Asia we went |
distributing gifts TO Hindoos. Chinese |
and others. and then sped EDWARDS TO the |
United States.
At about o'clock In the morning we /
landed at San Francisco. Popping first
into one chimney, and. then another,
went Santa Claus. until II made my head |
swim to look at him. San Francisco we
left pretty we'll filled and took our course
Fast TO New York. distributing gifts TO
cities and towns on our way over.
At about o'clock. we reached our des-
.inatior, and, after leaving gifts for Van
ierbilt. and more for Gould. Aston. and
others. we sped southwark. Philadelphia,
Baltimore, and Washington, we finished
10 by about o'clock, and morning was
-eCinning 10 dawn when we reached
Richmond. Here I was 20 take leave of
Santa. He drew up his reindeer on the
nolselessly and lightly We
hook hands at parting "a good grip he
las. too and then. Father Santa Claus
,ade me goodbye, with wishes Tor a
{ yful Xmas. I, OF course. echoed his
wish, and stood watching him steering
IFS course swiftly southwark.
The soft, gray light Of morning had now
,egun to tinge the sky, a roseate glow
rembled in the east, and the stars, one
" one, faded from the heavens. The
waning moon had begun 10 pale ere thls,
nd was but dimy visible. The busy
ush Of life was commencing and-ding-a-
ng-a-ling-a-ling-a bell was sounding
What was IT? Where was i? rubbed my
yes. and looked around. No snow-laden
ouse-top under my feet gave proof that
was standing facing the biting wind. On
he contrary, under me was my downy
ed. and around me were the four walls
. my, chamber IL was all dream.