Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-20
,ortant parts, and who was so anxious

iportant parts, and who was so anxiou
to supply them, that she talked at a
amazing rate Of speed, which neve
failed to set the audience into convul
sions of laughter.
Mr.. Santa Claus had a rich. baritop
voice, and whenever he would sing on
of the songs. that, of course, were ia
miliar to residents of Christmas Land
Mrs. Santa Claus was sure to follow
| with one that she considered far NOR,
characteristic. and better worth hear
| ing; then Mr.. Santa Claus would si
| down, resignedly, and look tired, while
she sang song as comical as his had
been beautiful. Mr.. Santa Claus told
of an entertainment held in Christmas
Land on the Fourth of July, when the
doll trees, popcorn bushes, and candy
vines were just beginning to bloom,
and he repeated selection from "Hia-
watha," that had been given by Mr..
Howling Northwind. This was imme-
diately followed by a recitation by Mrs.
Santa Claus. which purported to be
quoted verbatim from speech BY
Madam Ruffleneck Bald Eagle, the
noted female suffragist Of the Bird
Kingdom.
When the quarrelsome couple had
talked and sung themselves nearly
hoarse, the door was suddenly opened
and in walked the strangest looking
animal that could be imagined, draw
ing sled piled high with parcels. The
steed in question was an immense s.
Bernard dog, covered with tight
fitting coat of black canton flannel.
literally sprinkled with diamond dust
and ornamented with glittering tinsel
Tiny bells We're fastened all over him,
a string of them being wound around
each leg. Covering his head and face,
was mask, resembling the head of
some fierce beast of prey, topped off
with one ugly-looking horn, standing
upright between the two sharply
pointed ears. Great, red eyes. placed
just above the eyes of the dog, drew
the attention away from the holes in
the mask through which the dog look
ed. The greater part of this mask was
made of fine wire gauZe. and was not
as heavy as it would appear by the
description One would need to be
very observing. indeed, to guess that
d
children chung to their parents for
safety, but gazed. with delightful fas-
cination at the horrible beast.
This is our dear ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"
said Mr.. Santa Claus, stroking the ugly
head. "All our reindeer are on the
road. tonight. so he came with US"
Then followed wonderful stories of the
ability and marvellous achievements of
the neutrality-suspicious." that filled the
children with an ecstasy Of delight. As
Mr.. Santa Claus finished his story. he
unhitched his steed from the sled. led
him from the room, and then distribut-
ed the parcels on the sled. He read the
name of the recipient. who was obliged
to come to him and get his gift When
all had been distributed, Mrs. Santa
Claus jumped from her seat. and in
formed the guests that the best was yet
to come. She said she had brought
along some seed cakes tarts sand
witches. and other goodies which she
had made only that day. and she was
convinced the guests would like them
better than anything that had been
given them by Mr.. Santa Claus.
Small tables We're brought in and
scattered about the room. and Mr. and
Mrs. Santa Claus passed the good
things which We're packed away in the
sled, while Mr.. and Mrs. Blank fur
nished hot coffee. While the guests
We're chatting over the refreshments.
Mr.. and Mrs. Santa Claus quietly
slipped from the room. Soon there was
sound of sleigh-bells at the door
The children rushed to the windows in
time to see the famous personages car
ried away In a cutter with a large.
black animal seated in front of them.
Oh they cried, Mr.. and Mrs. Santa
Claus have gone. and we wanted to see
them again" We should all like to
See them again. replied one of the
guests. and there was a hearty re-
Spouse from all the others.