The record-union., 1896-12-27
| CHRISTMAS STORY FOR CHILDREN.
What Happened to the Little Boy VINO
Didn't Believe In Santa Claus.
(Written for the "Record-Union' by


Written for the "Record-Union' by
Beselena)
1t is the night before Christmas. Out
side the air is cold and sharp, while
from the gray sky fell softly. slowly
great feathery Snowfiakes upon the
brown bosom of mother earth. Inside
the big farmhouse kitchen Mrs. Ben
nett rushes about energetically, while
in a secluded corner, out of her way.
sit her two small children, Dottie and
Dick. They are just I years old and
twins, but Dick claims the proud dis
tinction of being fifteen minutes older
than his sister, and lords it over ac-
cordingly. They are having one of their
heated arguments now, to which the
busy mother pays no attention until
an angiushed howl from Dottie causes
her to pause in her work and glance
in the direction of her young hope
fuls
Dick" she says severely, ARE you
teasing your sister again?'
NO ] amt" retorts Master Dick,
looking red and uncomfortable. Il was
just telling her something
''He-he says there amt no Santa
Claus" interrupts Dottie, rubbing both
fists into her weeping eyes.
We'll, anyway, Sam Jones says there
isn't" says Dick. standing up man
fully for the absent Sam. He says his
father
Never mind what his father says;
you mind what 1 say, and stop making
your sister cry. / have known Santa
Claus to run off with just such little
nd
been heard of again. either" she adds
impressively
Dick subsidies after this awful speech
and peace is once more restored. Then
the children watch with breathless in
terest the baking of certain hot biscuit
for dinner of which they are both par
ticularly fond. When they are taken
from the oven Dottie gives a shrek
of delight. THE one with the curly
tail is mine" she cries, making an
eager snatch for it. but draws her hand
back swiftly with a cry of pain and
thrusts her finger in her mouth.
Serves you right, pigi' whispers
Dick savagely. He had wanted the
curly tailed one himself
He called me a pig" walled Dottie
nursing her finger and her feelings at
the same time.
"Tattle-talen' cries Dick derisively.
"Oh, children, children, what on
earth am l ever 70 do with you?" la
ments Mrs. Bennett removing the cur
ly tailed biscuit far beyond the reach
Of childish hands. Eat your dinner
now and be quiet. and if you're very
good l will let you sit up until o'clock
l., l. g.
there must be no more quarreling."
This proposition is hailed with cries
Of delight. and from that time on peace
and quiet reign supreme. Promptly at
: O'Clock they are taken up stairs and
tucked snugly away in their little white
beds that stand side by side in the
nursery. After they are left alone Dick
sits up in bed and calls softly: "Dottie
Dottie'
What is it. Dick?" asks Dottie,
sleepily, after long pause.
"Ho," says Dick in supreme disgust.
you are going to sleep. aren't you?
You're afraid. aren't you? 'Fraid cat"
Afraid of what?" asks Dottie, still
more drcwsily.
'Fraid of Santa Claus. of course;
all girls are Then he whispers darkly
Don't you tell. or I'll pinch you but
I'm going to sit up until he comes
'Oh. Dick, are you really and truly?"
cries Dottie, wide awake in an instant
and sitting up, too.
1t is cold, though there is a bright fire
burning in the CRATE She shivers
little and draws the bed clothes tightly
about her.
alr l..
sisters question and tries to keep his
teeth from chattering. I'm going to
find out for sure whether there is any
old Santa Claus or not, and if there is
I'm going to tell San Jones | saw him."
My. Dick, but you're just awful
brave" says Dottie, admiringly. as she
stares at her brother Will you speak
to him when he comes down the Chin
ney?" she asks in am awe struck voice.
Never you mind. Miss" says Dick.
patronizingly; you just wait"
Well I guess I'll lie down cause it's
cold when I sit up says Dottie. suit
ing her action TO her words.
For a long time after this she lies
quite still with her eyes wide open, but
SC mellow in spite of all she can do they
drop lower and lower and almost be-
fore she knows it the little girl is fast
asleep. Dick calls to her once or twice
and then thinks he viii lie down. too
His little teeth are chattering with the
cold. while the tip of his little nose is
purple. All at once there is heard great
gathering overhead, and then down the
big open fireplace comes the funniest
old man the little boy has ever seen.
s
twinkling gray eyes, red nose and a.
long gray beard. He is dressed in furs
and carries a pack upon his back from
which the most fascinating toys imag-
Unable can be seen. The little old man
stands on the hearth rug and warns
his hands at the blaze. Dick sits up in
bed to get a better view of this inter
esting person. He is SO interested that
he forgets all about being frightened.
Presently the old man goes over to Dot
ties stocking and fills it full from his
wonderful pack. Then the little boy
speaks. Please, SIR he asks, ARE YOU
Mr.. Santa Claus ?'
"Oh, no." says the little man. in a
great, big voice, which makes the little
boy jump. who is it that speaks to
ne?''
IT'S me; I'm Dick, if you please.
sir says the little boy very much
frightened II hope you won't be mad?"
The eyes of Santa Claus twinkled like
stars. Coming over to Dicks bed he
sal id very decidedly. Now. that you
have seen me. and know that + am
Santa Claus, you must come with me to
my reindeer sled which is waiting ON
the roof and / will take Won To the
North Pole, where l live and where I
have a lot Of other little boys just like
you who didn't believe in me before,