The Chilhowee echo. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1899-19??, 1899-12-23

time to come, they were depressed by
the fear that perhaps after all they
might not be ready for the coming of
dear old Saint Nick on Christmas eve.
And then they were afraid, too, that
despite the numberless letters that had
been written and dispatched to Santa
Claus through the medium of the fire.
place and smoke, that he would forget
some of the things. And surely if he
should bring all of the things that had
been written for, in Sanscrit Isuppose
for only Santa Claus could possibly
read it he would certainly have nothing
left to take to the other little ones, just
as eager and anxious for the coming of
Santa as Rob and Hal.
If they could only see him 'des a
minute" Hal said. If they could only
present to him their own version of
certain things which had occurred DUR
ing the past four months. Their little
minds could not remember their short
comings very far back-but they had
an uncomfortable recollection of some
things that might be laid up against
them, and they felt sure if they could
see him just minute, they could per-
suade the dear old saint to arrange mat
tiers at their home very differently from
what they feared might otherwise be
the case. For they had been told that
Santa Claus only comes to good children
and try as hard as they would their falls
from grace were very, very frequent.
Every night for weeks mamma had had
to tell them tales of Christmas, and one
in particular of a little boy who had
been permitted to see Santa Claus and
take a ride with him in his sleigh had
taken their fancy more than any other,
and they wondered why they couldn't
have the same privilege accorded to
them.
But consult together as they might.
they could not quite see how he inter-
| view was to be MANAGED. But, an
happy thought. Why not write to him
and send it by the real postman. Rob
had recently started to school and could
print beautifully. So all the next day
they were busy as little bees. AT twi-
light two weary little figures stole soft
ly out through the front door and out
the gate unnoticed. Whist as mice,
they ran down the street through the
chilly air, bareheaded and cloakless.
Something was squeezed very tight in
Halls chubby had. He insisted that to
him belonged the honor of mailing the
precious epistle. Rob could write it,
since he couldn't; but he must mail it.
When they reached the box, Rob lifted
Hal high in his arms and after much
fumbling, Hal pushed the letter inside
and proudly boosted: "Dere Rob, did
mail, 90 said l touldn't."
eyes, you did," said Rob, "and that
was a mighty smart little boy" but
generously refrained from telling him
how near he came to breaking his back
In the process.
There was not much time for talking,
for now since the deed was done the
children realized that it was very cold
and also nearly dark-catching each
others hands they scampered home as
fast as they could. AS they stumbled
up the steps, Martha the cook, caught
them, "You naughty little children, >
she said; "where have you been out in
this cold? shall tell your mamma. >
ooh, no, please don't" they pleaded
1--WE are not going out any more. :
Martha looked at them few minutes
and they looked so innocent eager and
childish in their pleading that she
promised never, never to tell and also
made up her mind to bake them twice
as many little animal cookies for Christ
mas as she had intended to do.
Oh, DEAR how excited they were tina
night. How they laughed and talked
to each other in undertones after they
had been put in their little bed. Blu
/ finally they went to sleep, and wha
dreams of Santa Claus and world filled
with sweetmeats they had. No work
but plenty of fun and thousands of pref
ty things to play with and places to pla.
. in. And then this lovely dream worlt
faded away and the morning came
The children awoke feeling as If some
thing strange had happened. And ther'
had. Through the night the snow hat
fallen softly but steadily, until now /
was beautiful fluffy white world which
the children looked upon. How daz
cling it looked, sparkling like diamond
with the sun shining upon it. How
they clapped their hands and shouted
thinking of sleds and snowballs. Flo
S what child, especially boy, is insensi
BILE to the charms of sleds and snowballs
Mrs. Clarke, had some shopping to d
down town that day. So putting on he