The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1895-12-25

mellow chimes of that ancient time
piece had scarcely died away before the
children heard other sounds. Up over
head there was violent scratching and
tearing, as though poorly shod rein
deer was trying to climb the roof, and
they distinctly heard the silvery tinkling
of bells, and some of them believed that
they could make out the grinding of the
sleigh runners on the shingles. 1t was
a moment of awful excltement; Johnnie
Bell, who had never quailed in dangers
stormy hour, did not try to conceal the
cold perspiration that stood on his fore
head Amelia Grimm, whose courage
was generally answering and uncompro-
missing, tried to stife shrek, and only
half succeeded.
After the roof had been successfully
assembled, they heard great noise by
the chimney, as though Santa had just
alighted, and they heard him descend
the interior of the chimney; 10 yer and
lower he came, unit finally his legs were
in the room, and they kicked in very
human and prosaic way. After they had
kicked for awhile, and no more of the
visitors body appeared, it began to
dawn upon everybody that Santa was in
difficulties The children and the older
visitors sat staring at the legs for a few
minutes, and then Mr.. Moon, who was
the man for an emergency, gallantly
rushed to the rescue. He seized Santa's
ankles and pulled with all the force of a
pair of gynasium-educate arms, but he
didn't seem to make any Roadway, for
Santa yelled in voice that sounded
like doleful cry from the tomb that he
was being wedged in tighter than ever,
and he implored the company to do
something for his relief.
The elders held council of war. Mr..
Brewster mildly suggested that it would
be a good plan 20 send in fire alarm,
but his wife crushed him with look,
and said that the only way she saw was
% take the bricks out Of the chimney;
and she added: "This comes of a man
trying to act the fool when he fought to
be thinking of the world to come"
Meanwhile Santa groaned and shrieked
in a fearful manner in the chimney, and
protested that if he wasn't soon released
he would be a corpse. Mrs. Bell was
fainting comfortably in her arm chair,
and most of the children had vanished.
1t was then that Miss Rose approached
Mr.. Moon, wringing her hands and
weeping beautifully.
'Mr. Moon" she cried, ''you see the
sufferings of my uncle, and you stand
idle. Can you not rescue him"
"Miss Rose,'' said the intrepid young
man, 81 can get,him out of that predics
ament in five minutes; it rests with you
whether shall 10 it or not The last
time 1 proposed to you, you refused me,
as usual. If you'll promise to marry me
I'll rescue your uncle; if you won't, L
leave this town forever-and your uncle
in the chimney. His kicks are growing
feeble and labored; don't think he can
last more than three minutes"
The young lady leVeled glance OF
scorp at him that should have withered
him. but he stood firm. He felt that his
whole future was at stake, and reflected
that all is fair in love and war. There
was stern, cold silence for minute or
two. Meanwhile the vibrations of San
ta's legs became desultory and sposmod
10 and his muffled groans betokened ex-
IRENE exhaustion.
.tWretchr' cried the young lady, at
last .srescue my uncle! You shall have
the reward you ask"
The wretch bowed with noble grace
and a moment later was on the roof,
with rome in his hand; he let the rope
down the chimney, and called to Santa
Claus to grasp it and hang on. Santa
did so. and toiled upward while Mr..
Moon pulled; after Is minutes of dis
+ressing work Santa emerged from the
chimney, poor, battered effigy of him
self. Mr.. Moon assisted him to the
Ground and into the house, where the
children and the other guests crowded
about him and laughed; for children al
WAYS will laugh when they ought to
weep.
When Mr.. Bell was recovered sufficient
w. he leaned against the back of chair
he was too weak for an attitude-and
said:
IL Z, L. nd