The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-12-20

On the evening before Christmas,
in the year of grace 1894, Mr.. Rulus
FELL created mild sensation at his
home by arriving with parcel of huge
dimensions. He made sure that none
of the children were about the house
before he entered and, when he had
crossed the threshold he Immediately
concealed the mysterious bundle in "A
closet and locked the door upon it.
Mrs. Bell at once demanded an eX-
PLANTATION, and her niece, Miss Rose
Wayne, seconded the demand strongly;
thereupon Mr.. Bell struck the attitude
popular with candidates when they say
MY Acknowledgment" and said:
Ladies. am but human. singular as
the statement may seem; but am
nevertheless a being of ideas and re-
sources"
I'VE are always acquiring informa-
tion," interrupted Mrs. Bell.
Rose" continued Mr.. Bell, serenely,
turning to the younger lady, las
school-teacher you must have studied
Juvenile human nature and you must
have been shocked by the fact that
children cease to believe in the good
old stories of Santa Claus and his rein
deer almost as soon as they are able to
walk; in fact, l have heard you COM
ment upon this sad truth. What is
Christmas to child. if the child doesn't
believe in Santa Claus? Where are all
the romance and poetry of the Oc-
sion? Ny own children are skeptical
when I tell them the charming legend
of Kris Kringle; l have undertaken 10
convince them that there is Santa
Claus: | have decided to let them see
Santa Claus in person"
This naturally pleased
the ladies; and their excitement was
quite intense when Mr.. Bell produced
a bundle from the closet and opened
it, producing lot Of ancient furs and
bearskin hat that had probably been
used by a drum major of the town
hand; to please the ladies he donned
his costume at once, and they voted
him a perfect Santa Claus, as he GER
tainly was.
Now" he said, when he had resumed
his ordinary raiment, Il don't think it
uuite fair TO reserve this entertainment
for our own children EXCLUSIVELY, so
have invited few good little boys and
girls of the neighborhood; and Mr.. and
Mrs. Brewster will be here, and young
Mr.. Moon; I have let them into the Sc
cret. You will tell the children to hang
their hosiery in the north room. and In
form them that you have reason to be-
Iieve that they may see Santa Claus If
they sit up and keep perfectly still; at
the proper time I'll ascend, the roof and
slide down the chimney; it is just large
enough for the purpose. And l guess
that's all"
During the balance OF the evening,
until nine o'clock, there was great
deal of active preparation in progress IN
the Bell mansion; the north room was
tidied, and a semi-circle of chairs
placed for the expected guests, who be-
gan to arrive at the stipulated time.
Mr.. Bell was in fine frenzy of excite
ment; he declared to his wife, in
whisper, that he felt like boy again,
and she replied that she was ten years
Younger than she was before he I'M
folded his delicious scheme. By half
past nine all the guests, large and small,
were in their places; Mr.. Moon, young
man who had been studying law for ten
years, and who hoped soon to be adj
United to the bar, sat next to Miss Rose,
upon whose hand he had serious de-
signs, and his efforts to appear at ease
were amusing and instructive; Mr..
Brewster, who was small and tim1d
looking. nestled beside his wife, VINO
was massive and had a bass voice; ST.
lepce brooded over the throng until Mr..
Bell, who was given to speeches, wenf
into another attitude. and said: -