The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-12-28

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do something for his relief
The elders held council of war. Mr..
Brewster mildly suggested that it would
be good plan to send in fire alarm.
but his wife crushed him with look, and
said that the only way she saw was to take
the bricks out OF the chimney, and she
added: This comes of a man irving to
act the fool when he ought to be thinking
of the world to come"
Meanwhile Santa groaned and shrieked
in fearful manner in the chimney and
protested that if he wasn't soon released he
would be a corpse. Mrs Bell was faintinp
comfortably in her armchair, and most of
the children had vanished. 1t was then
that Miss Rose approached Mr.. Moon"
She cried, YOU see the sufferings of nv
uncle, and you stand here idle. Can Won
not rescue HING"
Miss Rose said the intrepid Young
man, II can get him out of that in five
minutes. it rests with you whether | shall
do it or not. The last time | proposed TO
YOU you refused me as usual. If you'H
promise to marry me, I'll rescue your
uncle, If you won't, | leave this town for
overland your uncle in the chimney.
His kicks are growing feeble and labored;
| don't think he can last more than three
minutes.
Inn NnIInu lnIv lnrn1nI
at him that should have withered him, but
he stood firm. He felt that his whole
future was at stake, and reflected that all s
lar III love and war. There was Il stern
cold silence for a minute or two. Mean
while the vibrations of 9antas lers he
came desultory and spasmodic and his
muiIied Sroans betokened extreme ex-
haustion
"Nretch"' cried the young lady, at last
'rescue my uncle! You shall have the re-
ward you ask
The wretch bowed with noble grace and
moment later was on the roof, with a
rope 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
toled upward while Mr. Moon pulled :
after fifteen minutes of distressing work
Santa emerged from the chimney, poor.
battered eliigy of himself Mr.. Moon
assisted him to the ground and into the
house, where the children and the other
guests crowded around him and laughed
for children always will laugh when they
ought to weep
When MIR. Bell Was recovered sufficiently
he leaned against the back of a chair
he was to weak for an attitude 49, and
said:
"Children il you tell about this around
town, ii have you all arrested and sent
to the penitentary for life And YOU,
Johnny, for that litter II make YOU saw
IA cord of green wood. ! want you all to
90 home and tell your parents that Santa
Claus is the biggest hoax of the tenth CEN
fury, and I'll guarantee every word you
say"
By careful nursing Mr.. Bell was restored
to his normal health in few days. and his
first act was to have the old chimney taken
down.
One day in march Mr.. Moon held his
head high and his eye sparkled. After the
ceremony there was dinner at Mr.. Bells
residence, and Mr.. Bell himself was radiant
with good humor and hospitality. He
called the young couple aside and in
dulgcd in an attitude and speech
"Beloved ones, )" he began, "the morning
OF life opens radiant to you; sunlight
glimmers upon the waters, there are blue
skies overhead, and-er-the robin red
breasts are twitterlng on the boughs- But
dark days OF tempest and storm may come
rolling waves may threaten your bark,
and then remember that if you need hell
ing hand, you may call upon Rufus
Bell"
Mr.. Moon looked dreamily out of tn,
window.
"May ask a favor of you now?' lit
asked.
"a hundred of them, my dear boy"
'Well, | see it's showing, and there
enough on the ground to make slcighing
Will you lend us your reindeer and slet
for awhile?"-By Walter Mason.