Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-12-24
MANS RIDE WITH. SANTA CLAUS.

's'Sss 'ssS& WV" ONNsN S@VVO'
Nov mamma. I'm really and truly
"cinG to watch tonight, till see Santa
Claus said Nan.
Mamma smiled as she put an extra
pillow under the little girls head. She
had not forgotten how Nan had gone
fl to Dreamland last Christmas Eve
wiil" watching for Santa.
II don't see what made mamma
laugh" thought Nan. when she was
left alone. I'm a Who'll" year older
than ! was a Year ago. and Of cours. |
can keep awake"
But it was tiresOmc waiting. Th.
clock struck nine, then ten, then eleven
Il don't S'pose he'll be here much be-
fore twelve" said Nan. with sleepy
yaWn.
Almost at III" same instant she heard
q faint tinkling Of bells, followed by a
scufiiing sound in the chimney. and
,l,en a queer little figur" bounded into
the room.
OF course il must be Santa. There
were the rosy checks and snowy beard,
tr., fur coat and big pack. But this
little man wasn't more than half as
large as Nan imagined Santa Claus
to be.
Dear me-" sh. said 10 herself Il
wonder why they always have such a
big, tall Santa Claus at all the Christ
mas trees,
Eut th" little girl was too much in
Ter, sted in watching her visitor u
waste time in wondering about his
size. for he was very busy filling her
stockings. a shining gold thimble
went into the toe. 4 nice sealskin
pockethook Just filled tn. foot. Hand
kerchiefs. gloves and candies fol-
lowed. Then Santa took a Eoah's ark
from his pocket and looked at it,
The idea" thought Nan. II guess
he doesn', know I'm nine years old. or
hc wouldn't think uf leaving that. |
do wish he'd look at me
But Santa swung his pack on his
back and seemed 10 bc getting ready 10
i"aNe. so Nan roughed gently.
Santa started and looked around.
Bless me-" hr exclaimed Il had no
idea YOU We're awake
Why. I stayed awake on purpose To
see YOU" said Nan.
Welt. | declare" said Santa With a
tpilithlIC IStuSii. " iNi NOu a. iiitiI
Christmas my dear Sorry can't
stop and talk awhile. but YOU know
this is my busy daylight. mean.
Il suppose YOU couldn't bring Your
81 igh and me dear little reindeer down
the chimney. 50 / could them"
hint I'd Nan.
Santa shook his head.
NO. they draw the linz at chim-
neys," he said. Couldn't get EN-
dowH. But see here. What's to him
der Your taking a ride with me?''
Mans eyes shonc with delight.
oh. will you take me-" she cried
tn. words We're hardly out of her
iaauth before she was gliding up tn.
chimney. pcrchcd on San'as broad
shoulders. And the next moment she
was on the roof and Santa was bund-
ling her up in a long Sealskin coat
that covered her from head to foot.
Nan clappcd her hands as she caught
sight of the dainty sleigh and the
eight prancing steeds. who We're toss
inc their heads aS though they We're
inpatient to be off
Santa hrlprd her into the Sleigh and
tucked her in. Just wait a minute.
hc said. "whl. ! get my ropc-laddcr
OFT nf the chimney"
LADDER" repeated Nan. in sur
p, isr.
Yes. ladder" returned Santa. You
didn't really suppose | could run up
the waH or the chimneyside like fly.
DID you?''
\ moment later. Santa cracked his
" hip. the bells jingled. and away flew
the reindeer. their tiny hoofs flying In
the air.
oh. my. what fun. cried Nan. as
they whirled past chimney tops, and
lraped tNan couldn't tcll how from
one root to another.
You see. | had mad. all my calls in
Your neighborhood before | stopped at
YOUR house Santa explained. as he !
drew w before a very aristocratic- !
looking chimney. Il guess you'd like to ,
<. in here with me- And the next
ting Nan knew. she was making
Journey down the chimney with her
funny little friend
I don't let the grass grow under my !
f.tt. said Santa. as he stopped out "f
lie fireplace.
II think you are a very rapid man.
;; id Nan. who was a little bewildered
by this sudden change.
Santa laughed. and going UP to a big
Christmas tree that stood in one corner
of the dimy-lighted room. he began to
l"iG il with all sorts of beautiful
t,:ngs.