Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1896-12-24
Santa Claus Assistant.


was sheltering prOfuse array OF toys,
stood an unexpected guest. DE was
i'll clad, unshaven, and his hair looked
as though it had never known comb,
In his right hand he carried a dark
lantern, and slung over his left arm
was a sack, a common jute bag, and
he had entered by the window that
looked out upon the street. The fam
ily had all retired, and for the most
part were asleep. That IS why the un-
expected guest chose this time to ar
rive.
Stealthily he crossed the room, and
drawing the pOrtieres silently across
the broad doorway that opened into
the hall he slid back the front of his
lantern, and, lighting a match IN its
flame, be turned on the gas and Int 1t,
so that he might better see the exact
character of his surroundings.
"Humph !" he said, as he observed
the tree. "Quite a fine layout. |
don't know but what, after all, it's
good thing that parents give their
children expensive things these days.
It's great help to our profession.
You cant raise much money on candy
balls and tuppenny dolls, but these
silver-plated engines and purses with
ten.dollar bills in EN- come in handy.
Gold sleeve-buttons, too, he added,
as his eyes took in few further details
of the scene before him, IAN gold
watch as well. This is luck. "
And then, as he bent over the groups
of toys and presents of more expen-
siye nature intended for Bobbie, his
eye glittering with JOY at the prospec-
tive value of his haul, the heart OF the
unexpected guest stopped beating for
an instant. There was a rustling sound
behind him.
With a 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.
Curse the gas - he muttered, os he
turned.
"Hullo !" said a soft little voice from
behind the portieres, and at the same
moment the curtains were parted and
there stood Bobbie, clad in his night
gown. as that you, Santa Claus? he
added, peering curiOusly at the une1-
pected guest.
The man gave a short laugh.
That's the first time I've been taken
for anyone that's half decent, he said
to himself; and then he answered, IN
a whisper loud enough for Bobbie to
hear:
"Well, not exactly, sonny. I'm only
his assistant.
His what said Bobbie.
"Sh Not 50 loud, my boy-you Il
wake the family ; and if you did that,
I'd lust vanish like the mist, said the
man. 81 said l was only Santa Claus
assistant. You gee, my lad, there's so
many more children nowadays than
there used to be that the boss had to
get outside help Christmas eve, or he d
never be able to finish up his work in
time. So he sends for me an few
others like me-Heaven help us-and
we do his distributing for him. Id
Just laid these things out here when
you surprised me.
Bobbie approached the tree.
"Oh, isn't it beautiful he cried
"All these things for me A watch
too-just the very thing | wanted.
Tie man drew back as the boy spoke
and, with queer light in his eyes, cal
down in one of the chairs suddenly.
"Are you tired?" asked Bobbier
leaving the tree and crossing to Santa
Claus assistant.
"Yes," said the man. "vey."
I'm sorry," said Bobbie. affection
ately, as he the others hand in his anC
kissed it.
"Don't--don't do that said tn
man, huskily. "Its not-not clean.
81 shouldn't think it would be,
laughed Bobbie climbing in BY soOtl
chimneys can't be very clean work
Do you know, / always wonder Wit
there's never any SCOT left on the toys.
Oh, we take care Of that" said tn
assitant. You see, this bag keeps tn
SCOT of. But ! didn't cone by tn
chimney this time" he added, hastily
observing that there was no soot Of
the bag either. Il thought the win
dow was easier"
! you're all through, aren't youY