The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-13
Santa Claus and Gsmeroldo
By NJ. S. WALLACE.

fore she, too, went to greet papa.
 A week went by Nelly watched every day to see if real Santa Claus would really come and take Esmeralda away to be meas ured for her new head. But Esmeralda lay quietly in the drawer. Every time Nellie peeped, she was stil there.
 One evening they all ran down to meet papa as usual. Mamma was only a moment or two behind them, perhaps three minutes. As they clung around papa in the hall. rosy checked Mary. who had been up stairs in her own room for an hour or two, came down stairs, on her way to the kitchen.
 few minutes later mamma asked Nelly to run up stairs and get letter to show papa. Nelly ran mp and stopped at the door with squeal The fire board was pushed away, showing the bricks of the chimney hole behind itl She flew to the bureau The drawer was half open and, as she had quite expected, Esmerada was gonel Santa Claus had come and gone again,
 Hearing exciting cries, mamma and the boys came running up, and they all hunted high and low for Esmeralda. They even poked their heads Into the chimney hole. But 1t was not bit of use Esmeralda was gone!
 Perhaps Mary took her." said Nelly at last. "Go ask her" suggested mamma, a twinkle In her eyes. Ask her if she took Esmeralda out of the drawer" Nelly ran down 10 the kitchen and flew to Mary, who was peeling potatoes. Did you take my hsmera,da out of the drawer" Deed didn't! What would take m ould doll out Of your mothers drawer for?'
 So Nelly ran up again, longing to be con. Yinced, but still little doubtful. She stood at the door a moment, her eyes shining. hef cheeks red with excitement "Maybe she's been stoen' she suggested. 'Oh. no. dear am sure she has not--no one could get in." Nelly threw herself on her mother, legs and arms twining about her. Mamma! mamma! you've got her! you've got herr! Mamma laughed, but shook her head No, dear haven't. I haven't seen her since l went down stairs" And even Nelly was satisfied Santa Claus had come and taken Esmeralda with him when he went.
 The days flew past and the Christmas drawer in Nelly's bureau was nearly filled with gifts-for mamma, for papa and the hoys, for aunts, cousins and friends. Lob had corner in papa's chiffonier into which papa had vowed not to peep. Even little Jack had caught the excitement and todded about the house crooning "Kissmusl Kiss muss! Mamma was caught several times huriedly shutting and locking closet door, and papa twice sneaked into the house by the hack door and disposed of several big bundles before he was caught by his excited family. Even Mary asked for an afternoon out, and went down town coming home with several mysterious bundles.
 It seemed, to the caldren that the last three days would never pass. But they did, of course. and with Christmas eve the fun began. Three stockings hung up by the man. tel shelf in the nursery and six eyes tried hard 10 stay open until Santa Claus came. Bob was certain he could do 1t, but he inst shut his eyes moment to rest them and the Eext he knew it was morning, and Jack was pounding him on the chest with tin trum- pet. shouting "Kissmus Kissmusl"
 First the full stockings had to be emptied. disclosing delights beyond all expectations. Then came breakfast, and then the drive through the geaming snow to church. Then