The Monticellonian., 1901-12-20

the mornin' whin lie wakes up an finds it impty."
 stop rambling and tell me what you expect me to do,' Mr. Gennister said. grimly.
 "Nothin' in the world. sir, for he's ahed an asleep, till in the mornin' he wakes an, finds stockin' impty an his granny gone. Then he may cry bit. but not for long. He can dress hisself-he's smart little bYe-an' if yell give him jist bite of bread an sup O milk, he'll be al! right till Ellen gifts over, an, then shell know what to do. an yell niYer dream, sir, ] there's a little bye in ger house. An l hombly hope, sir, yell pardon me, an'-''
 @Yes, yes. goodnight, said Mir. Gennster, impatientlY, cutting her short and turning on his heel.
 He went up to his room 10 remove the stains of travel. And before he came down again he had heard the back door shut and az wagon drive away, and he knew he was alone in his house-alone, with the exception of strange child!
 Certainly Mr. Gennister was much annoyed, yet he was just enough to see that Jane was really not to blame. She could no mora have foresecn be- ing called away by her daughters sudden illness than that he would telegraph her at the last moment be- fore starting, instead of on the day before, as hitherto he had done.
 He put on his comfortable lounging robe and went downstairs to find a bountiful supper spread out on a neat table before the open fire. Short as her time had been Jane had provided amply for his comfort. She had not neglected one thing which she knew he liked, although she had found no time to run to the village store for top for her grandchild's stocking!
 By the way, where was the boy? It might be as well to know in what part of the house he was sleeping in ease anything should happen in the night.
 So when Mr. Gernister had finished his supper he arose. feeling of an- noyance again coming over him, and because the back part of the house was usually cold, he put on d cap be- fore he took up the lamp and started upon his quest.
 He had poked his head into three empty bedrooms before he came to Jane's, in the middle of whose ample l featherbed a wee figure was eurled | for ha limp little stocking hung empty and | forlorn.
 While Mr. Gennister was looking at it the little figure squirmed and sud denly sat up: Two little fists rubbed open two sleepy eyes and then the small boy crept rapidly on all fours 10 the foot of the bed and felt the stocking empty!
 There was surprised and pitiful quiver on the lip. Then the child raised his head and caught sight of Mir. Gennister's short, stout figure, clad in long lounging robe and cap, and the boy no longer felt either grief or doubt.
 70 Santa Claus, fill up my 'tock- ing!" he cried tossing up his arms. 'sWillie been good boy!"
 mstantly-for some unknown req son-Mr. Gennister blew out the lamp. The silence was broken by a sleepy chucllle from the bed as the child snuggled back among the warm , coverings. Then there was mixed up murmur of Santa Claus-'tocking good boy followed by a contented, sleepy sigh, after which, with noise- less step, Mr, Gennister withdrew.
 Back again in his warm sitting room he sat staring at the fire. He he of all men on earth-had been mis- taken for Santa Clausl He laughed grimly-it was so strange joke! Queer that even a child could believe such nonsense. What fools grown people were to teach them such rub bish-or to countenance it! How many children would be disappointed in the morning, how many heartaches