The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-10

A CHRISTMAS DISCUSSION,
How the King and the Queen and the Huncbback and
the Rubber Ball Discussed Santa Claus
Story for Children
written for The Spy by John N. TRUMP

The king and the queen and the
hunch-back were talking about Christ
mas. The king had on his white waist
with the stiff sailor collar, which is such
a nuisance, and his everyday coat, the
one that's too tight under the arms. His
best coat was larger, but he couldn't
wear it in the throne room, for fear
he'd get it soiled. The queen was wear
ing a bingham pinafore, and her hair
was plated and tied tight with ribbons
SO it would look wavy when the plaits
were undone in the afternoon. The
hunch-back had on his green and yell
low suit and his broad smile. Poor
hunchback he couldn't wear anything
else, because the clothes We're sewed on,
and the smile was only paint. He was
contented, though, and a good compan-
ion, because he never tod tales like the
prime minister.
The throne room was all Uttered up
with the presents Santa Claus had
brought that morning, and the royal
couple was seated in the middle of
them, on the floor. The king didn't be-
lieve in Santa Claus, but he never dared
to say so, because there might be such
a thing, you know. and it wouldn't do
to offend TIL old q ow by disbelieving
in him. The queen, however, hadn't
any doubt at all on the matter. She
knew. And, as girls always know more
than boys, sometimes, she must have
been right. The hunch- back wouldn't
commit himself on the subject, and
that's what they We're talking about
that morning, after the prime minister
had taken away the breakfast things
and had left the court to take care of
itself. The king and queen didn't like
to have the prime minister around after
they had finished breakfast, because
she was always saying don't, and one
doesn't like to hear the same word re-
.ated so often
The nunch-back had started the con-
versation. You never heard a painted
hunchback talk, did you? Well, it's
because you never listened close
enough. OF course, this hunchback was
nothing but a doll, and a wooden one at
that made in Germany, but he spoke
English perfectly, with just the slight
est accent. He was intelligent. and
the king and queen took his advice
nearly every time that he offered it. He
had begun by saying he thought the
new dog had a bad disposition, because
it had refused to notice the toys, and
walke4 right over them sometimes, and
the conversation had turned naturally
to Santa Claus
Il don't see how Santa Claus could
come down the chimney" said the king
because there isn't any chimney to this
room. It's all steam pipes"
But he might come down the Ii
brary chimney" said the queen, land
come up the. steps"
There's an iron thing in the library
Fireplace that stops up the chimney
and besides, he couldn't find his way up
here in the dark" said the king, shak-
ing his new watch to see if it was go
ing. 1t was one of the kind that go
only when you keep winding it.
But h. found the way last year"
the Queen said. He could do it again"
why Silly'-the queens name was
Sybil but the king called her Silly for
short Why, Silly" said the king,
I'VE didn't live here last year. So,
therer'
We'll, I don't care. He did come,
because there's all the things he left,
only wish he had brought doll with
black hair instead of yellow"
Il don't believe he came at ALL said
the king Somebody else might have
left the things"
why, Nedward!" said the queen
the kings name was Edward, and the
queen called him Ned mostly except
when she wanted to be important, and
then she added the ward" why,
Nedward, you know better than that
Didn't papa say that Santa Claus
would come? It's bad of you not to be-
lieve it,"
Il don't care" said the king, I'm
older than you"
NO, you amt" said the queen.
We're twins"
"Well. anY WAY. l feel older. I don't