The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-12-18

and Christmas fruits.
How sweet of you, VIII" Winter 8
pretty wife said as she threw her arms
around his neck and kissed him. How
did you ever guess that | wanted all
those silver things for the tableY'
And did any one ever see such a
son-in-law2" cried the old lady as her
eyes fell upon the table with the wine
and fruits.
81 have got the coolest papa in the
world" yelled the six year old, while
the others chimed in "Yeth" as they
made a dive for the toys.
al could sit in this rocking chair for
week." murmured Winters wife,
rocking herself back and forth with
her foot on the gayly covered footstool,
'if it wasn't that felt as If wanted
to get up and kiss you again." she
said to Winter for the twentieth time
as she looked around.
Now go to bed, all of you,p cried
Winter, land something extra for the
one who starts first Don't let me
hear a word from you again until to
morrow morning at breakfast, and
then We'll have Christmas all day"
lie hustled them out of the room, and
when | tapped on the door there was
no one left downstairs to open 1t but
he.
We'll, what are you going to do
about itY' | asked, stepping into the
room and pointing to all the Christmas
things.
Il don't know" said he, dropping
down by the table and hiding his face
in his hands. Il don't know, am sure.
1t will kill her If you tell her"
What made you take them"
asked
Because he's got so much he doesn't
know what to do with it." said Winter.
$50 l took them all easy like and
thought 1t would blow over In a few
days. You see, we have SO many ba-
bies in our family" he added, that
there wasn't much left this year for
Christmas, and the children have been
talking about 1t every day for the last
three months. 1t broke my heart to
think I'd have to disappoint Them so
did the best l could for them"
"You watched the house all night for
the colonel, did your?
Eyes, except for about an hour; long
enough to slip over here with an arm
full"
We'll, what are you going to do
about it?'
God knows l don't" he repeated.
ut will kill her If you tell her"
do you want me to arrest you to
night, or will you wait until morning.
christmas day" he exclaimed,
breaking down and beginning to cry
like a baby Il know I'm wretch.
Only kill me-do anything; but don't
tell her.
1t might have been that the spirit of
Christmas was in the air. Perhaps
the thought of those six little children
and that sweet faced wife had a
stronger influence than they should
have had over a detectives heart. But
| said to him, well, bundle up the
things and come along with me, and
Wen see what we can do about it,
We looked like two Santa Clauses
ourselves as we slipped along the
streets, choosing bylanes and cross
paths to the Payne residence.
We got into the triangular lawn by a
rear path and stole softly up to the
house. There was the dining room
brilliantly lighted and in the middle
stood a tree all bare and waiting for
gifts, just as | told the colonel to ar
range it.
There was no one in the room, and
after l had pried up the sash we stole
in together. There was only just time
to drop our packages on the floor at the
foot of the tree and to rush away again
before the colonels daughter came in.
"0h, papa" she cried, here are
some presents for us"
But heard no more just then, for
was busy helping poor Winter get
away. An hour later | rang the
colonel's front door bell He opened
the door himself
Come right in said he. Il guess
you are wizard tonight. Just after
we got the Christmas tree set up and
while we were upstairs getting oul
presents together to hang on the tree
the thief came back and left the Christ
mas presents
Everything there?" | asked
"Eyerything," said he, down TO the
last teaspoon. We have counted then
all Poor fellow, he must have had Il
guilty conscience, and when it came
Christmas eve he squared it with him
self by sending back all he had stolen
Strange" said |.
Very strange" said the colonel 1t
like, if | knew who the thief was, Il
send him something for a Christina.
present, just as a reward for his con
science AS it is | ask you. detective
not to look him up. lie has evidently
turned over new leaf this Christmas
eve"
Evidently said |.
"Now. detective" said the colonel, %
am going to ask you TO stay with u'
over Christmas and enjoy nice holi
day And so that we can all have al
extra fine day ! am going to send one
Of the boys over to Winters house
tonight with these things so that ht
can have merry Christmas as well al
/ the rest of us. Minneapolis Tribune
80.
Unfair.
Don't you sometimes feel thu