The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-12-28
.ayEss ,,sss ss..s Il s55H...ssssARGY,&;N.p
,,.|s;SlIlERARY]
= SsLINn ~ q -
I-<--sE-zEE<< ~sS---~-s-,ssSNE--.
A BOGUS SANTA CLAUS.


On the evening before Christmas, in the
Year of grace 1894, Mr.. Rufus Bell created
a mild sensation at his home by arriving
with 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 bum
die in closet and locked the door upon
it.
Mrs Bell at once demanded an explain
alton, and her niece, Miss Rose Wayne,
seconded the demand strongly; thereupon
Mr.. Bell struck the attitude popular with
candidates when they say "My fellow
countrymen, and said:
Ladies', am but human, singular as
the statement may seem; but am never
theless a being of ideas and resources
1--WE are always acquiring information,"
interrupted Mrs. Bell.
Rose" continued Mr.. Bell, serenely,
turning to the younger lady, as 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 RENDERS almost as soon as
they are able to walk; in fact have heard
you comment upon this sad truth. What
child If th, child InnS 1
believe in Santa Claus? Where are all the
romance and poetry Of the occasion? My
own children are skepticai when tell
them the charming legend Of Kris krinkle,
| have undertaken to convince them that
there is a Santa Claus; | have decided to
let them see Santa Claus in person.
This announcement naturally pleased
the ladies. and their excitement was quite
intense when Mr. Eell produced a bundle
from the closet and opened it, producing
Il lot of ancient iurs and IL healskin hat
that had probably been used by drum
major Of the town band; to please the ladies
he donned his costume at once, and they
voted him perfect Santa Claus, as he
certainly was.
"Now," he said, when he had resumed
his ordinary raiment, Il don't think 1t
quite fair to reserve this entertainment for
our own children exclusively, so | have
invited few good little boys and girls OF
the neghborhood; and Mr.. and Mrs.
Brewster will be here, and young Mr..
Moon: | have let them into the secret.
You will tell the children to hang their
hosiery in the north room, and inform
them that you have reason to believe that
they may see Santa Claus if they sit up
and keep perfectly still; at the proper time
| II ascend the roof and slide down the
chimney: it is just large enough for the
purpose And | guess that 5 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 tdied and a
semi-crcle of chairs placed for the expected
guests, who began to arrive ut the stipu-
lated time Mr. Bell was in il fine frenzy
of excitement; he declared to his wife, i'll
whisper, that he felt like a boy again, and
she replied that she Vas ten years younger
than she was before he unfolded his
delicious scheme. BY half past nine all
the guests, large and small, were in their
places; Mr.. Moon, Il young man who had
been studying law for ten Years, and who
/ hoped soon to be admitted to the bar, sal
next to Miss Rose, upon whose hand h'
had serious designs, and his efforts tt
appear at ease were amusing and instruct
i've; MI Brewster, who was small ant
timid looking, nestled beside his wife, whit
was massive and had bass voice; silence
brooded over the throng until Mr.. Bel
who was given to speeches, went int
another attitude, and said:
Children, have heard that you don
believe there is Santa Claus? You bav
formed the unworthy idea that your parent
and friends fill your stockings on Christina
| eve, anu tlldt SOOl Olu lul ClOtucu SAM
is myth. Now, l have here letter fror
Santa.
Great excitement among the child
ren.
"And he says that he will arrive here a
ten o'clock, coming down the Gimme
which you see before you. ! must leav
you for while, as must keep watch out
side but you must all keep your seats, G
Santa Claus may become angry, and refus
to enter"
Ten o'clock was announced by the ia
clock in the adjoining room, and the me
low chimes of that ancient timepiece ha
scarcely died away before the childre
heard other sounds. Up overhead Their
was violent scratching and tearing, 4
though poorly shod reindeer was tryin
to climb the roof, and they distinctly hear
the slvery tinkling of bells, and some q
them believed that they could make on
the grinding of the sleigh runners on TIL
shingles. 1t was moment of awful eXcit
ment, Johnnie Bell, who had neve
quaied in dangers stormy hour, did no
try to conceal the cold perspiration tina