The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1902-12-19

to his childhood, when he had gone in
and out of this self-same barn fodder
ing and watering the cattle with no
thought of the future!
A low cry broke from his lips, but
he pinched it grimly in two before it
had full uttcrance. Cold, wcary-a
starvling, a fugitive-what had he in
common with the bright-eyed, CHEEKY
checked boy of days gone by? Moth
ing-nothing! Grim, grasping, grind
ing years of disappointment, despera-
tion and degradation had changed him
to the soulless tramp, the dishonest
wretch, who for long months had
scarcely had a thought above the level
of the class to which he belonged.
Presently the early twilight fell and
hours of evening came and went, until
he deemed it safe to steal forth to enter
the farmhouse, which be did with mask
covered face, and otherwise disguised.
Softly he crept through the rooms
to the apartment where. years ago, he
we'll remembered that the old mahogo-
ny secretary stood, and where the val
uables were always stored. Would
they be there now, he wondered, and
the thousand dollars which report back
in the village said his brother had re-
ceived for carload of cattle lately dis
posed Of at Brighton? If so, be would
have it. This brother was rich; he
was poor. No matter how it all hap
pened, be thought, sullenly. Things
we're radically wrong when one brother
went up and one went down.
He pushed the door carefully open,
blinking uneasily behind his mask as
be did 50, for there was light burn
ing in the room. 1t was used as bed
room now, and little boy, wide awake,
was sitting up in bed, bis face full of
glee. At sight of the man he clapped
his hands and laughed gayly:
~ knew it was you'll" he cried. "I've
been 'specting you, and l stayed awake
purpose"
"You did. hey?" muttered the intru-
der.
"Yes; but don't speak loud, 80 the
folks will hear. l knew if l stayed
awake l should see Santa Claus.
Won't you please come here and shake
hands with you? Id come to you,
only mamma don't low me to. run
round in my bare feet
AS in a dream, the man advanced
and held out lean, sinewy hand to be
shaken by the little curly.headed child
in his white night-gown, and with his
eager eyes rowing over the black.
masked figure.
"You don't look just as l thought
you would" be said, in slightly dis
appointed tone. "Where's your rein
deer, Mr.. Santa CLAUSE" still holding
his hand.
"Out-doors, somewhere" muttered
the man.
Eyes, Of course It's, and the sled
too. Have you got lots Of presents
this yeal?"
"Not many-too hard times"
"Ob, dear! I'm sorry. I'se in
hopes this year tLere'd be so many
that the naughty boys could have
some"
You're an odd fish. Naughty boys
don't deserve presents, do they?"
"No; but if there's more'n enough
for the good boys, l thought mebbe
you'd let the naughty ones have, say,
one apiece. 1t might make 'em gooder
better, l mean"
"Shouldn't wonder if it would. But
say, hadn't you better shut up those
peppers and go to sleep? III put out
the light for you," speaking as gently
as he could.
"Oh, no, dear, good Mr.. Santa Claus;
l amt mite sleepy, and l want to
talk. Was you ever a little boy like
me-a good little boy?'
"Yes," answered the man, huskily;
81 was once a little boy like you,
though not so good, / guess"
"Oh, l amt good. don't like to
be washed, and make fuss. Grand
ma says her little boy used to-her
Billy she calls him sometimes, but
sometimes she says her Sweet Will.
liam Amt that funny name for a
boy?'
is your grandma alive?"
The man sat down now by the bed
side, as though he had forgotten his
errand to the farmhouse. There was
an odd quaver in his voice as lie asked
the question.
"Alive? l guess you'd think so if
you see the light shine on her specs
once and the hoy laughed as If much
n II