The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-12-28

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On the evening before Christmas,
in the year of grace 1894. Mr.. Rufus
Rell created a mild sensation at his
home by arriving with parcel of huge
dimensions. lie 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
closet and locked the door upon it.
Mrs. Bell at once demanded an eX
PLANTATION, and her niece. Miss Rose
Mayne. seconded the demand strongly;
thereupon Mr.. Bell struck the attitude
popular with candidates when they say
MY fellow-countrymen." and SAID;
Ladies', l 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-
tion,' interrupted Mrs. Bell.
"Rose," continued MIR. Bell, serenely.
turning to the younger lady, las a
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, ] 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? My own children are skeptical
when | tell them the charming legend
of Kris Kringle; l have undertaken to
convince them that there is Santa
Claus; / have decided to let them see
Santa Claus in person.
This announcementnatur pleased
the ladies; and their excitement was
quite intense when Mr.. Bell produced
a bundle from the closet and opened
it, producing a lot of ancient furs and a
bearskin hat that had probably been
used by a drum major of the town
band; 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
quite fair TO reserve this entertainment
for our own children exclusively, so
have invited a few good little boys and
girls of the neighborhOod; and Mr.. and
Mrs. Brewster will be here, and young
Mr.. Moon; l have let them into the Sc
cret. You viii tell the children to hang
their hosiery in the north room, and in
form them that you have reason to be-
| lieve 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 a great
deal of active preparation in progress in
the Bell mansion; the north room was
tidied, and semi-circle of chairs
placed for the expected guests, who he
gan to arrive at the stipulated time
Mr.. Bell was in a fine frenzy of excite
ment; he declared to his wife, in &
whisper, that he felt like a boy again
and she replied that she was ten years
Younger than she was before he Un
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 tel
years, and who hoped soon TO he adj
mitted to the bar, sat next to Miss Rose
upon whose hand he had serious de
signs, and his efforts to appear at cas-
were amusing and instructive; Nh
II l.
looking, nestled beside his wife, VIII
was massive and had q bass voice; s.
lence brooded over the throng until MI
Bell, who was given to speeches, wen
into another attitude, and said:
"Children. l have heard that 20
don't believe there is a Santa Claus
You have formed the unworthy ide
that your parents and friends fill you
stockings on Christmas eve, and thu
good old fur-clothed Santa is a mytl
Now, / have here a letter from Santa.
Great excitement among the chi
dren.)
e "And he says that he will arrive heI
at ten o'clock. coming down the chin
ney which you see before you. mus
leave you for awhile, as / must kee
watch outside; but you must all
l quiet and keep your seats. or SAINT
Claus may become angry, and refuse
enter"
Ten o'clock was announced by the ia
clock in the adjoining room. and I'll
. mellow chimes of that ancient tim
piece had scarcely died away before ii
,s children heard other sounds. UpOve
Z had there WINS a vinlenf scratching an