The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-12-20
MANS RIDE WITH SANTA CLAUS.
BY E. LOUISE L1DDELL.

Now, mamma, I'm really and
truly going to watch tonight, till 1
see Santa Claus" said Nan.
Mamma smiled, as she put an extra
pillow under the little girls head.
She had not forgotten how Nan had
gone off to Dreamland last Christmas
Eve while watching for Santa.
''I don't see what made mamma
laugh" !" thought Nan, when she was
left alone. Tim whole year older
than I was year ago, and of course
can keep awake"
But it was tiresome waiting. The
clock struck nine, then ten, then
eleven. II don't s pose he'll be here
much before twelve" said Nan with
a sleepy yawn.
Almost the same instant she heard
faint tinkling of bells, followed by
scuff1ing sound in the chimney, and
then queer little figure bounded
into the room.
Of course it must be Santa. There
were the rosy cheeks and snowy
beard, the fur coat and big pack.
But this little man wasn't more than
half as large Nan had imagined Santa
Claus to be.
Dear me !" she said to herself.
II wonder why they always have
such big tall Santa Claus at all the
Christmas trees %
But the little girl was too much in
terested in watching her visitor to
waste time in wondering about his
size, for he was very busy filling her
stockings. A shining gold thimble
went into the toe. A nice seaiskin
pocket-book just filled the foot.
Handkerchiefs, gloves and candies
followed, Then Santa took Noah's S
ark from his pocket and looked at it.
"The idea !" thought Nan. "I
guess he doesn't know IN nine years
old, or he wouldn't think of leaving
that. 1 do wish he'd look at me p
But Santa swung his pack on his
back and seemed to be getting ready
to leave, so Nan coughed gently.
Santa started and looked around.
'fBless me p he exclaimed. "I had
no idea you were awake %
"Why, 1 stayed awake on purpose
to see you" said Nan.
"Well, declare p said Santa, with
a rollicking laugh. 81 wish you a
merry Christmas, my dear Sorry I
can't stop and talk a while, but you
know this is my busy day-night, 1
mean"
"I suppose you couldn't bring your
sleigh and the dear little reindeer
down the chimney, so 1 could see
them ?" limited Nan.
Santa shook his head.
"No, they draw the line at Chin
neys," he said. Couldn't get 'em
down. But see here What's to
hinder your taking a ride with me ?"
Mans eyes shone with delight.
ooh, will you take me" she cried.
The words were hardly out of her
mouth before she was gliding up the
chimney, perched on Santa's broad
shoulders. And the next moment
she was on the roof and Santa was
bundling her up in long sealskin
coat that covered her head to foot
Nan clapped her hands as she caught
sight of the dainty sleigh and the
eight prancing steeds, who were toss
ing their heads as though they were
impatient to be off.
Santa helped her into the sleigh
and tucked her in. "Just wait a
minute" he said, "while I get my
rope-ladder out of the chimney"
Ladder ?" repeated Nan, in sur
prise.
Eyes, ladder" returned Santa.
You didn't really suppose I could
run up the wall of the chimneyside
like fly, did you?"
A moment later, Santa cracked his
whip, the bells jingled, and away
flew the reindeer, their tiny hoof fly
ing in the air.
"Oh, my, what fun !' cried Nan,
as they whirled past chimney tops,
and leaped (Nan couldn't tell how
from one roof to another.
s'You see, 1 had made all my calls
in your neighborhood before I stop
ped at your house." Santa explained,
as he drew up before very aristo-
cratic-looking chimney. II guess
you'd like to go in here with me" "
And the next thing Nan knew, she
was making a journey down the chin
ney with her funny little friend.
81 don't let the grass grow under
my feet" said Santa, as he stepped
out of the fireplace.
'I think you are a very rapid
man." said Nan, who was little be-
wildered by the sudden change.
Santa laughed, and going up to a
big Christmas tree that stood in one
corner of the dimly-lighted room, he
began to load it with all sorts of beau-
tiful things.
"Isn't it nice here?" said Nan,
looking up at the lofty ceiling, and
the glittering chandeliers. "And,
oh, do you hear that lovely music
I'm sure there's a band somewhere. .
The door leading into the next
room was slightly ajar. Nan crept
toward it, and peeped in, could hard
" keep from crying out at the sight
that met her ewes. For there was {