The Republican journal., 1895-12-19
santa Claus Assistant.

1t was not long after midnight. The
wee small hours of Christmas day we're
just beginning to arrive, and down in the
library, where the tree was sheltering a
profuse array Of toys, stood an unexpect-
ed guest. He was i'll clad, unshaven, and
his hair looked as though it had never
known a comb. In his right hand he car
ried dark lantern, and slung over his
left arm was a 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 to across
the broad doorway that opened into the
hall, he slid back the front of his lantern,
and lighting a match in its flame, he turn
ed on the gas and lit it, 50 that he might
better see the exact character of his sur
roundings.
''Humph'' he said, as he observed the
tree s'Quite fine lay out. | don't know
but what, after all, it's good thing that
parents give their children expensive
things these days. It's a great help to
our profession. You can't raise much on
candy balls and tuppenny dolls, but these
ver-plated engines and purses with ten
dollar bills in EN- come in handy. Gold
sleeve buttons, too' he added, as his
eyes took in il few further details of the
scene before him, IAN a gold watch as
we'll This is luck"
And then, as he bent over the groups Of
toys and presents of a more expensive ma
ture intended for Bobbie. his eye glitter
ing with JOY at the prospective value of
his haul, the heart Of the unexpected
guest stopped beating for an instant.
There was a rustlng sound behind him.
With 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.
Course the gasn' he muttered as he
turned.
''Hullor' said a soft little voice from
behind the poItieres, and at the same
moment the curtains were parted, and
there stood Bobbie, clad in his night
gown. lis that you, Santa CLAUSE" he
added, peering curicusly at the nnexpect-
ed guest.
The man gave a short laugh.
''That's the first time I've been taken
lOI duy Out ludL > HdIl oCCCAl, uC Sdlu W
himself; and then he answered, in a whis-
per loud enough for Bobbie to hear:
''Well, not exactly, sonny. I'm only
his assistant
Ellis what?' said Bobbie.
'''Sh! Not SO loud, my boy-you'l II
wake the family; and if you did that, I'd
Just vanish like the mist,' said the man.
Il said | was only Santa Claus assistant.
You see, my lad, there's 50 many more
children now days than there used to
be that the boss had to get outside help
Christmas eve, or he'd never be able to
finish VI. his work in time. SO he sends
for me an a few others like me-Heaven
help sand 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.' he cried. GAN
these things for me. watch, too-jnst
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 suddenly.
fare you tircd?" asked Bobbie, leaving
the tree and crossing to Santa Claus as
sistant.
YES said the man. ''Nery.'
m sorry said Bobbie. atfectionate-
ly, as he took the other hand in his and
kissed it.
'sDon don't do that said the man,
huskily. ''Its not-not clean
II shouldn think it would be, )" laugh
ed Bobbe; climbing in by sooty chin
neys can't be very clean work. DO you
know. always wonder why there's never
any SCOT left on the toys.
sob, we take care OF that, said the as
~ IL. Io,, 10
SCOT off. But didn't come by the chin
serving that there was no SCOT on the bag
either. II thought the window was
easier
you're all through, aren't youo" said
Bobbie, looking al the bag.
s'How do you know that?'' asked the
s.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 assist
ant, ''but there's nothing for him and
and it's all my fault. l neglected to look
after him.
''And won't he get anything?' asked
Bobbie.
s'No.'' said the assistant, roughly, ris-
ing, and taking step toward the tree.
''He can have one of mine, cried Bob
bic. "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 hoy
for minute, and then he slowly reached
out his hand and took the proffered toy.
s'I'll see that he gets it, he said, ''and
God bless you for it! Good-by, little one.
| must be off, OF he II wake up and be dis
appointed.
He moved toward the door, when Bob
bic ran after him, and holding up his lit
tie 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, fed 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
pallid- faced little youngster playing with
the first Christmas present he'd ever
known, s'that was the FUNNIEST thing. I
went out to steal, and the only thing /
bagged that wasnt really given to me was
kiss, and l. see Santa Claus in Hades
before / give him that. 1t was a rich
haul, but think I'll get decenter job
at New Years" John Kendrick Bangs,
in the editors Drawer" in Harper's