Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-12-12


and fruits.
world, yelled the six year old, while
the others chmed in "Yeth" as they
made dive for the toys.
Il couuJ Sit in this rocking chair for
week." murmured Winters wife,
rocking herself back and forth with
her f.ut On the gayly covered footstool
IF ii 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 cried
Winter, land something extra for the
one who starts first. Don't let me
hear word from you again until to-
morrow morning at breakfast, and
then we'll 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 Il don't know, | am sure.
1t will kill her if you tell her"
what made you take them?" l
asked.
Because he's got so much he doesn't
know what to do with it,, said Winter
$50 | took them all easy Ike and
thought it 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 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.
at 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
telfher.'
1t might have been that the spirit of
Christmas was in the mir. Perhaps
4 ~. -. IL IA
and that sweet faced wife had a
stronger influence than they should
have had over a detectives heart. But
l said to him, We'll, 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 bylancs and cross
paths to the Payne residence.
We got into the triangular lawn by u
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
colonels 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 our
presents together to hang on the tree
the thief came back and left the Christ
mas presents
Everything there" asked. l
"Everything," said he down TO the
last teaspoon. We have counted them
all Poor fellow, he must have had a
guilty conscience, ard 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. I'D
like if | knew who the thief was, to
send him something for a Christmas
present, just as reward for his CON
science. As it is | ask you, detective,
not to look him up. He has evidently
turned over a new leaf this Christmas
we
"Evidently." said l.
'Now. detective" said the colonel, Il
am going to ask you to stay with us
over Christmas and enjoy a nice holt
day. And so that we can all have an
extra fine day | am going to send one
of the boys over to Winters house
tonight with these things so that he
can have merry Christmas as well as
the rest of s"-MinneapoliS Tribune.