The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-12-14
Santa ClauS's Assistant.

library, where the tree was sheltering
prafuse array of toys, stood all unexpected
guest He was i'll clad unshaven. and
his hair looked as though it had never
known IA comb In his right hand he
carried a dark lantern. and siung over his
left arm was 4 sack. common jute bag,
and he had entered by the window that
looked out upon the street. The family
had all retired, and for the most part were
asleep That is why the unexpected guest
chose this time to arrive.
Stealthily he crossed the room, and
drawing the portieres silently across the
broad doorway that opened into the hall,
he slid back the front of his lantern, and
lighting match in its fame, he turned
on the gas and lit it, so that he might
better see the exact character Of his sur
soundings.
.Humph = he said, as he observed the
tree Quite a fine layout. | don
know but what, after all, it ; good thing
that parents give their children expensive
things these days. It's Il great help to
our profession. You can raise much on
candy balls and tuppenny dolls, but these
silver plated engines and purses with ten
dollar bills in 'em come in handy. Gold
sleeve buttons, too, he added, as his eyes
took in few further details of the scene
before him, IAN gold watch as well.
This is luck.
And then, as he bent over the groups
of toys and presents of more expensive
nature intended for Bobbie, his eve gilt
tering with JOY at the prospective value OF
his haul, the heart Of the unexpected guest
stopped beating for an instant. There was
a rustling sound behind him.
With a quick movement he slid the
cover of the dark lantern to, by mere force
of habit; but it was unavailing the room
was still lighted, though dimly.
Curse the gas = he lnuttered as he
turned.
,sHullo - said Il soft little voice from
behind the portieres, and at the same
moment the curtains were parted, and
there stood Bobbie, clad in his night gown.
is that you, Santa Claus 7? he added,
peering curiously at the unexpected guest.
The man gave short laugh.
THAT the first time I've been taken
for any one that's half decent, he said to
himself; and then he answered, in whisper
loud enough for Bobbie to hear;
well, not exactly, sonny. I'm only
his assistant.
His what p said Bobbie
..'Sh? Not so loud, my boy-you Il
wake the family; and if you did that, L d
lust vanish like the mist, said the man.
Il said was only Santa Claus y assistant.
You see, my lad, there so many more
children nowadays than there used to be
that the boss had to get outside help
Christmas eve, or he'd never be able to
finish up his work in time So he sends
for me an Il few others like me-Heaven
help us and we do his distributing for
him. I'd just laid these things out here
when you surprised me.
Bobbie approached the tree.
.sOh. isn't it beautiful r he cried.
All these things for me! A watch, too-
Just the very thing | wanted.
The man drew back as the boy spoke,
and, with queer light in his eyes, sat
down in one of the chairs suddenl ly.
Are you tired r asked Bobbie, leav
ing the tree and crossing to Santa Claus )
assistant.
Eyes, said the man. Every
I'm sorry," said Bobbie, attectionate-
ly, as he took the others hand in his and
kissed it.
Don dom do that, said the man,
huskily. ''It's not-not clean.
II shouldn't think it would be,
laughed Bobbie; climbing in by sooty
chimneys cant be very clean work. Do
you know, [ always wonder why there ;
never any SCOT left ON the toys
.sOh. we take care of that, said the
assistant You see, this bag keeps the
SCOT off. But didn't come by the
chimney this time" he added, hastily,
observing that there was no SCOT on the
BAG either. Il thought the window was
easier
you re all through, aren' / you? said
Bobbie, looking at the bag.
"How do You know that 2 asked the
man.
'Your bag is empty. Isn't there any
one else for you to take a toy to?
The unexpected guest buried his face in
his grimy hands, and great lump rose up
in his throat.
There was one other, said the as
sistant, "but there's nothing for him
and-and it's all my fault. | neglected
to look after him.
.'And won't he get anything p asked
| Bobbie
NO" said the assistant, roughly,
rising, and taking step toward the tree.
E'He can have one Of mine, cried
Bobbie. Here, take him this. I've
got plenty, thanks to you He handed
him one of the treasures beneath the tree.
The unexpected guest looked at the boy
for minute, and then he slowly reached
out his hand and took the proffered toy.
"In see that he gets it, he said,
land God bless you for it Good-by,
little one l must be off, or he'll wake
up and be disappointed.
He moved toward the door, when Bob
bic ran after him, and holding up his little
face, said, won't you take kiss for
Santa Claus for me?'
''That | will, - said the other, and he
bent over, and kissing the child, fled pre-
cipitately out through the window, and
disappeared in the darkness of the street.
''Well =" said the unexpected guest the
following morning, as he watched his own
pallidfaced little youngster playing with the
first Christmas present he'd ever known,
''that was the rummiest thing | went
out to steal, and the only thing bagged
that WASH t really given to me was a kiss,
and L see Santa Claus in Hades before
give him that. 1t was rich haul, but |
think I'll get decenter job-at New
| Year S.
A young lawyer talked tour hours to
jury, who felt like lynching him. His
opponent, grizzled old professional, arose,
II 4.