The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-12-21
THE FANCY Of A DREAM
4 Somewhat Broken Reflection on The
Times Of Long Ago.
A VERY STRANGE TRANSPORTATION.



Written for tbs HERALD BY The Dreamer.
On Ia recent Christmas eve, lazily tilted
back In an easy chair, my feet resting
Comfortably higher than my head, and a
fragrant cigar poised en- route to my eager
lips. I sat thinking of the Christmas
times and chimes of long ago-of the days
before had learned that Santa Claus was
a myth, except 90 far as he IL the spirit
uai representative Il kind acts and good
wishes. and while sat thinking and
longing for that happy time which never
had its fellow" began to wish for some
mythical st. Nicholas, who could stir the
hearts OF men with pulsations as delight
ful as those which move the spirit Of the
child. and to whose coming they might
look with child's eagerneas.
Thus dreaming and wishing, as l
watched the smoke curl lazily away in
wavy rings TO the ceiling, there seemed
TO come from out the rudy coal which
burned so cheerfully in the CRATE figure
like unto the Santa Claus Of old, and
bearing in bis arms O curious casket,
quantity wrought in gold. with mysterious
lettering in some unknown characters.
The old man chuckled humorously as
he wiped the melting icicles from his
flowing gray beard, and nimbly as deer
leaped gaily on the maptelpiece, wishing
me merry Christmas"
The sudden apparltion startled me at
first, but treasured by his jolly laugh and
joyial face, soon regained my compos-
ure, while thanked him for his good
wishes--at the same time offering him
cigar. This he put by somewhat con-
temptuouslv for him, and said that he
preferred pipe. when he used the weed,
at which hastily seized my best meer.
schaum, filling it with prime Turkish and
offering 1t with reverent counesy. He
lighted 1t with avidity. and crossing one
leg over the other, proceeded to Whit and
puff like q steam boiler, while he thus
addressed me:
boy, you are too young to smoke.
Commencing thus early will impair your
constitution. Drop that cigar!"
] was proceeding TO say in response,
that bad been for some years out Of my
teens, and that had never felt any bad
effects from the use Of tobacco, when
suddenly felt qualms OF the stomach and
dizziness in my head, like a seasick-
ness, and then / knew the weed had
overpowered me. Disguised, threw the
Havana in the fire, and Immediately felt
relieved.
| was beginning to get angry at my
somewhat dogmatic guest, when he pro-
ceeded to unlock the box which lay by
him on the mantel, while he said:
Il have brought you some playthings
here that will amuse you till | come
again. Here are bat and ball, skates
and a sled; and there are marbles and
kite"
Thus speaking, be laid these things,
with numerous others, beside him, and
yet his box seemed full as ever.
| protested that these boyish toys were
of no use to me-that my day for such
child's sport was gone. At which he
laughed. aud cried out:
WHAT a boy like you give up boys
games? BAH"
Then l was angry, and attempted to
rise from my seat, but found in doing so,
that the chair was higher than thought
my feet would hardly touch the floor.
This was very strange to me. aud looking
down found my coat transformed to a
jacket, my pantaloons were small and
bulgy behind, the mustache that had
taken lifetime to grow had disappeared,
and, lol as / looked, my best silk hat
was being transformed into little eight
cornered cap with tassel hanging from
the top.
Yes, was boy again
rushed for the sled, / grabbed the
skates, and Santa Claus and made bee
line up through the chimney. he carrying
me by firm hold on the seat Of my pam
falcons. Soon We touched the earth, and
as il by magic there appeared frozen
pond before US, and hill. close packed
and hard with glistening snow, and on
the pond and hill there were thousands
OF other boys like me, skating aud sleigh
ing and snowballing with youthful, clam
orous glee.
Then Santa Claus babe Inc good bye, =
and jumped into his reindeer sleigh, for
the holding OF which distinctly saw him
pass an American quarter to a young
negro, who turned summersault with
joy. while cried ont: Goodbye, Santa,
old boy" and Immediately buckled on
my skates, whirling away perfectly fran
tic with the "old time come again"
skated till my lirabs were stiff, and
then, firing of that sport, fastened to
the spot where I had left my sled and
found 1t goDe-stolen. That was an old
game that boys had played on me before.
So looked for the thief, and found him
bare-facedly enjoying himself, without a
twinge OF conscience. I claimed my prop
erty, and he refused to deliver II up. Then
l stormed, and ragged, and showed fight.
/ would have lost my life to regain the
gift of good old Santa Claus, and when
the boys formed 9, ring about US, my
blood was sup and eager for fray. We
had a regular oldfashioned battle, such
as remember latter school," We rolled
on the snow and we tumbled on the ice.
My nose was bloody. and my front teeth
we're badly ratified, and eyes were black
ened like coal, and when the fight was