Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-12-19

come to earth with dun and slckenn'
thud. Canary told me that all we're
goln to have fer dessert Is some OF
them foamy pics of Fong's-you know
the sort-whlte of egg and lemon that
tastes like"
Sour soap suds! moaned Jimmy In
anguish
The monetary interest Of the cir
Gle subsidized ilatly, and they sank once
more into q moody contemplation Of
the stoves forbiddlng countenance.
Jimmy began drawing tonlb-stones on
the pane as u fitting emblem OF buried
hopes.
After q pause In which the gloom and
the smoke thlckcned, Jimmy stopped
his artistic efforts suddenly, stood lis
tening eagerly for n moment and then
peered through pcep-hole made by his
warm breath. There was nothing to be
seen on the road that wound like gray
ribbon from the mountain side b the
narrow canyon belC'Y; but the sound
that had seemed to reach hts imagina-
ton first was now an audible reality
and he sprang up with the others and
rushed out on the porch.
a snowy mound hid the road from
sight for ways, but from behind II
came the rhythmic fall of hoofs, and
the CHEEKY wlntry, ringing sound OF
sleigh bells! 1t was unmlstakable, and
as the sound grew nearer and clearer,
the dun looks of amazement on the
mems faces changed TO expressions Of
pleased wonder, and then as the outfit
and its driver came into view around
the bend, they broke into a Wild shout
of delight
If Santa Claus had started from the
pictured page of a nursery book the IL
fusion could not have been moro COM
plete a gaily painted sleigh silhuetted
against a dazzling background OF fresh
snow; an enormous 'pack'' heaped high
with bulging bundles; fur-clad 81.
Nick with a patrlarchal beard sweeping
his bosom; red cheeks and red lips, In
no wise detracted from by an equally
rudy nose!
The road wound first below Jerry
Mains cabin, and as the smiling driver
passed the door a handful OF children
with q shout of excitement tumbled
out and sliding with incredible speed
down the steep bank surrounded the
sleigh with cries of Santa Claus! san
tn Claus!"
Then the hearty "Ho, ho!" that might
have been expected, rumbled IRON pc
meath the fur coat and deep voice
cried "Pile in all of We, now quick
They lost no time In obeylng, and the
sleigh continued its way up TO the
boarding house porch, a swaylng, shout
ing. ringing load of Christmas cheer.
Hang up yer stockings boys was
Santa'g CHEEKY greeting as the crowd
pressed about him. This here pack is
about Dustin for relief Pick up the
kids and let's hist the whole outfit into
the house. I'm nearly friz'
Inspired by the old fellows busting
humor, every man, down to "Grouchy
Ben" threw himself heart and soul into
the game. Sleepy Billy began to ''un-
hook" the heated mules. Ed Lawton,
the scoffer. went about with tow
headed youngster seated on his shoul-
der; young Harmon helped unload the
sleigh with a brown eyed girl holding
fast to one finger. The unknown santa
himself seemed to be everywhere at
once; busting up the sips with some
huge bundle: thawing his numb fingers
at the stove; seeming always to peer
about i'm search of something he failed
to find. The men exchanged delighted
shouts as each bundle was inspected
Fruit cake with weddin'-cake icing!
Dough nuts like yer mother used to
makep
squash ple"--ull every eye bulged
with anticipation.
When the good things had been trans
ferred to the diningroom table and or
der somewhat restored the Unknown
holding out his hand TO the men
az II to grip all theirs at once, cried
heartily, "A merry Christmas to We
boysl"
by Gosh. know that yoice!" cried
Jimmy Tebbs, starting forward with
look half wonder. half fear, on his
weather beaten face.
"Well, | reckon We oughter,' returned
a. off great
coat. cap, and the all-conceallng beard
freddy Newell" gasped Jimmy, fal-
ling back a pace before the apparltion.
ITS me and no mistake, pard," cried
Newell with renssuring gulfaw, and
a grasp Of the hand that left no doubt
Of its being flesh and blood.
But whore IN thunder" began Jim
my. when Newell interrupted him.
ITO Alaska, boys, Fell In with an
outfit starting for that country; tossed
In my luck with en-, been up the fu-
kon a matter OF four years and am
come back with Il pile thatll set every
body I'm the United states In that same
northern direction. ! reckon, Lost two
toes and one ear, but what's left OF me
is hale and hearty and come back to
wish We a happy New Year,
Same to you'll" was the shout with
which the men pressed about him, clap
ping him on the shoulder, and beaming
upon him like happy school boys.
well, sc all look large as life and
twice as natural, boys he said, beam
ing back at them, What dye think OF
ole Reddy? with a glance at his mag
nlhcent ralment,
solomon In all his glory was-Llttle
Casino" cried Jimmy feryently.
And now" said Newell, growing Sc
rious 81 want TO knOW-Where's my
boy2"
Canary, They had forgotten him
Every man there had the good grace to
look sheepsh, while only Billy could
ind his voice to say, Helping Fong, !
b'lieve."
The light went out of Reddys face
and a puzzled frown grew between his
shaggy brc'Ss. THAT little tad helping
the cook?'
Jimmy cleared his throat hastily.
Hes growed considerable" he ex-
plained lamely I'm toll him you're
| here"--making move towards the
kitchen door. But Newell was before
him, Throwing open the door he stood
taking In the little scene with full APP
probation of all IL implied. The Chinese
| cook was rusily engaged In stirring
some connection, and on the table be-
side him sat Canary pouring In flour
as Fong stirred, His long, thin legs
hung Imply down, and his body looked
curiously bent and little but he talked
| busily in an unconscious limitation Of
| the Chinaman's pigeon English, and the
| cook talked no less eagerly, with an
| ease that spoke of long familiarity.
sonny cried Newell from the door
way.
1t was the FIRST time in four years
| that the Walt had heard the Old name.
| and he started so suddenly that the cup
| he held crashed into the Chlnaman's
| bowl. with puzzled gaze he scanned
| the newcomer for q moment and then
with "A glad cry of Uncle Reddy,"
| lmped into Ncwelrs bearlike hug and
remained trembling IN the only protect
| Ing arms he had ever known.
i've treated We pretty shabby |
guess, sonny" said Newell with a sud .
r Ssss.s s.v,l!lssD 4ss8