Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-24


foot of it stood dozens of beautiful
Christmas gifts. Such Christmas
tree you never saw! There We're little
things in silver-spoons, forks, after
dinner coffees and knives, and there
was a rocking chair, also several little
footstools and little articles of bric-a-
brac, all newly covered with cheap
chintz. And there were toys Oh, so
many toys! And upon the table at the
side of the tree stood the best of wines
and Christmas fruits.
"How sweet of you, Will!' Winters
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 table?'
"And did any one ever see such a
son-in-law!" 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 dive for the toys.
Il could sit in this rocking chair for
week." mlfrmured Winters wife,
rocking herself back and forth with
her foot on the gayly covered footstool,
"if it wasn't that felt as if l 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," cried
Winter "and 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 Wen have Christmas all day."
He hustled them out of the room, and
when tapped on the door there was
no one left downstairs to open it but
he.
well, what are you going to do
about it?" | asked, stepping into the
room and pointing to all the Christmas
things.
81 don't know" said he, dropping
down by the table and hiding his face
in his hands. ~ 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.
80 | took them all easy like and
thought it. would blow over in 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 it every day for the last
three months. 1t broke my heart to
think I'd have to disappoint them. so
did the best could for them"
you watched the house all night for
the colonel, did your"
Yes, except for about an hour; long
enough to slip over here with an arm.
full"
well, what are you going to do
about it?"
God knows; 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 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
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
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 | 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 coloners daughter came in.
"Oh, papa" she cried, "here are
some presents for u.s."
But heard no more just then. for
was busy helping poor Winter get
away. An hour later rang the
coloners front door bell. He opened
the door himself
Come right in," said he. II guess
you are wizard tonight. Just after
we got the Christmas tree set up and
while we were upstairs getting our
presents together to hang on the tree
the thief came back and left the Christ
mas presents"
Everything there?" asked.
Everything" said he, down to the
last teaspoon. We have counted them
all. Poor fellow, he must have had
guilty conscience, and when it came
Christmas eve he squared it with him
self by sending back all he had stolen"
stranger said |.
every strange" said the colonel. I'D
like, If | knew who the thief was. to
cond hin, comothinu FOR IN or n q