Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-12-23

SOn.ln-laW crleu tue oiu iaus oS nS'
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.
81 could sit in this rocking chair for
week" murmured Winters wife,
rocking herself back and forth with
her foot on the gayly covered footstool,
III il wasn't that felt rs if | wanted
f. oct Up and kiss "ou again. she
said to Winter FOR tie twentieth time
us 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 ana
then we'll have Christmas all day"
He hustled them oct CT the room. and
when | tapped OF the door there was
no one left downstairs TO open 1t but
he.
We'll. what are you going to do
about it," | asked, stepping into the
room and pointing to all the Christmas
things.
II 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 II" said Winter.
$50 took them all easy like and
thought il would blow over in Il Few
days. You see. we have so many ha-
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 you?'
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 a
stronger inhuerce 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
we'll 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 tree all bare and waiting for
gifts, Just as | told the colonel to ar
range 1t.
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 colonel's daughter came In.
"Oh, 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 l 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 Il
guilty conscience, and when 1t came
Christmas eve he squared it with him
self by sending back all he had stolen"
Strange" said |.
Every strange" said the colonel. I'D
like, if | knew who the thief was, to
send him something for 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 new leaf this Christmas
eve"
Evidently" said l.
"Now, detective" said the colonel, 81
am going to ask you to stay with us
over Christmas and enjoy nice holi-
day. And so that we can all have an
extra fine day am going to eond 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 us. s."-Minneapolis Tribune.
MEXICAN CUSTOMS.