Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1895-12-20

On the evening before Christmas,
I'm the year OF grace 1894, Mr.. Rufus
Fell created mild sensation at his
home by arriving with a 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 II.
Mrs. Bell at once demanded an eN-
PLANTATION, and her niece, Miss Rose
Mayne, seconded the demand strongly;
thcreupon 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 l am
nevertheless a being of ideas and re-
sources"
1--WE are always acquiring informa-
ton" interrupted Mrs. Bell.
Rose" continued Mr.. Bell, sercnely,
turning 20 the younger lady, las n
school teacher you must have studied
Juvenile human nature, and you must
have been shocked 10y the fact that
children cease 20 believe in the good
old stories of Santa Claus and his rein
deer almost as soon as they are able To
walk: in fact, | have heard you com
mcnt upon this sad truth. What Is
Christmas TO a child. If the childdoesn't
believe in Santa Claus? Where are all
the romance and poetry of the oc-
sion? My own children are skcptical
when I tell them the charming legend
OF Kris Eringlc; | have undertaken To
convince them that there is IA Santa
Claus; have decided 20 let them see
Santa Claus i'm person"
This announcement naturally pleased
the ladies'; and their excitement was
quite intense when MIR. Bell produced
a bundle from the closet and opened
~. produciu" lot of ancient furs and a
bcurskin hat that had probably been
used by drum major Of the town
bard: 20 please the ladies hc donnod
his costume az once. and they voted
him % perfect Santa Claus, as he Ger
tainly was.
"Now." hc said. when he had resumed
uuitr fair 10 reserve this entertainment
for our own children exclusively, 50 !
have invited few God little boys and
girls of the ucighbarhood; and Mr.. and
Mrs. Brewster Will bc here, and young
Mr.. Moon; | have let them into the Sc
Crct. You will tell the children Ia hang
their hosiery i'm the north room. and in
form them that you have reason to be-
licve that they may see Santa Claus il
they sit up and keep perfectly still; at
the proper time I'll ascend the roof and
slide down the chimney; il 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.
MIR. Bell was I'm fine frenzy of excite
ment; he declared To his wife, in n
whisper, that he felt like n boy again,
and she replied that she was ten years
Younger than she was before he UNI
folded his delicious scheme. BY half
past nine all the guests, large and small,
we're in their places; Mr.. Moon, young
man who had been studying law for ten
years, and who hoped soon TO be adj
mitted 10 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 timid
looking, nestled beside his wife, who
was massive and had n bass voice; ST.
lence brooded over the throng until Mr..
Bell, who was given to speeches, went
into another attitude, and said:
Children, / have heard that you
don't believe there is a Santa Claus?
You have formed the unworthy idea
that your parents and friends fill your
stockings on Christmas eve, and that
good old fur-clothed Santa is myth.