Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-24
sANTA cLAus,s ASSISTANT,

lust beginning 70 arrive, ana DOWN IN
the library, where the tree was shelter-
Ing q profuse array OF toys, stood an UNI
expected gucst. He was III clad, un-
shaven, and his hair looked as though II
had never known . comb. In his right
hand he carried q dark lantern, and
slung over his left arm was sack, q
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 LAM
tern, and lighting match In Its flame,
he turned on the gas and lit It, so that
he might better see the exact character
Of his surroundings.
"Humphw he said. rs he observed
the tree. "Qulte fine layout. don't
know but what, after all, It's q good
thing that parents give their children
expensive things these days. It's great
help to our profession. You can't
raise much on candy balls and tuppenny
dolls, bat these silver-plated engines
and purses with ten-dollar bills In EN-
come In handy. Gold sleeve-buttons,
too" he added, rs his eyes took In few
further details of the scene before him.
San gold watch as we'll. This IS
luck"
And then. as he bent over the groups
Of TOYS and presents OF more expensive
nature intended for Bohbie, his eye gilt
tering with Joy at the prospective value
of his haul, the heart of the unexpected
guest stopped beating for an instant.
There was q rustling sound behind him.
With quick movement he slid the
cover Of the dark-lsntern to, by mere
force Of habit; but II was unavailing t;
the room was still lighted, though dimiy.
"Curse the gasl" he muttered as he
turned.
"Hullo," said soft little voice from
behind the portieres, and at the same
time the curtains were parted, and there
stood Bobbie, clad In his night-gown.
us that you, Santa Clausg" he added,
peering curiously at the unexpected
guest.
The man gave short laugh.
"That's the first time I've been taken
for any one that's half decent" he said
to himself; and then he answered In n
whisper loud enough for Bobbie to hear :
"well. not exactly, soDnie. I'm only
his assistant"
"His whaty'' said Bobbie.
ash. Not so loud, my boy-you'll
wake the family; and II you did that,
I'd lust vanish like the mist" said the
man. II said was only Santa Clans's
assistant. You see, my lad, there's so
many more children nowadays than there
used TO be that the boss had 10 get out
side help Christmas eve, or he'd never
be able to finish up his work Ia time.
So he sends for me an 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.
sob. isn't IL beautiful ~ 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 suddenly.
Are you tireds" asked Bobbie, leav-
ing the tree aud crossing TO Santa Claus's
assistant.
yes" said the man. "Very."
I'm sorry" said Bobbie, sfIectionate-
IL, as he took the others hand In his aud
kissed it.
"Dont-don't do that" said the man,
huskily. ATS not-not clean"
III shouldn't think II would be-
laughed Bobbie; "climbing In by sooty
chimneys can't be very clean work. Do
you know, | always wonder why there's
never any SCOT left on the toys"
"Oh, we take care Of that" said the
assistant. "You see this bag keeps the
SCOT of. But didn't come by the
chimney this time he added, hastily,
observing that there was no SCOT on the
bag either. III thought the window was
easier"
YOU'RE all through, aren't you:'
said Bobbir. looking at the bag.
"How do you know that.' asked the
man.
"Your bag Is empty. Isn't there any
one else for you 10 take toy tor
The unexpected guest buried his face
In his grimy hands, and great lump
rose up In his throat.
"rhere was one other" said the as
sistaut, but there's nothing for him
and-and It's all my fault. ! neglected
to look after him."
"And won't he get anything asked
Bobbie.
uNo." said the assistant, roughly, ris-
ing, and taking q step toward the tree.
The can have one OF mine," cried Bob
by. "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
bow minute, and then he slowly reach
ed out his hand and took the profiered
toy.
ntll see that he gets It," he said, ''snd
God bless you for Il! Good-by, little
one. I 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
precipitately 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-fsced little youngster
PLAYING with the first Christmas present
he'd ever known, shat was the rum
miest thing. went out TO steal, and
the only thing l bagged that wasn't
really given to me was kiss, and III see
Santa Claus in Hades before give him
that IL was n rich haul. but | think