The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-13
SANTA CLAUS AND ESMERALDA
BY NJ. S. WALLACE

IN the pieces of poor Esmeralda's head,
and put them with the body and brown
wig into a drawer before she, too, went
A week went by. Nelly watched every
day to see IL q real Santa Claus would
really come and tal6o Bsmeralda away
To- be measured for her new head. But
Esmeralda lay quietly in the drawer,
Every time Nellie peeped, she was still
there.
one evening they all ran down to meet
papa as usual. Mamma was only mo-
ment or two behind them, perhaps three
minutes. AS they chung around papa
been upstairs In her own room for an
hour or two, came downstairs, on her
way TO the kitchen.
Nelly TO run upstairs and get a letter TO
show papa. Nelly ran up and stopped
at the door with squeal. The fire.
bricks OF the chimney hole behind it,
She few to the bureau. The drawer was
half open, and. as she had quite. ex-
pected, Esmeralda was gonei Santa
Claus had come and gone againi
Hearing exciting cries, mamma and
the boys came running UP, and they all
They even poked their heads into the
chimney hole. But II was not bit of
use-Esmeralda was gonel
Perhaps Mary took her" said Nelly
"Go ask her." suggested mamma, a
twinkle in her eyes. ASK her If she
took Esmeralda out Of the drawer"
Nelly ran down to the kitchen and
few TO Mary, who was peeling pota-
ibid you take my Esmeralda out of
Deed / didn't. Wat would I take
an Guild doll out of your mother s
| drawer for2''
So Nelly ran up again, longing to be
| convinced. but still a little doubtful
She stood at the door a moment. her
eyes shining. her cheeks red with ex-
/ element.
Maybe she's been stolen, she Sug-
"oh. no. dear. I am sure she has not
no one could get In
Nelly threw herself on her mother,
| legs and arms twining about her.
| Mammal mammal You've got heri
| You've got her!
Mamma laughed. but shook her head.
mo, dear; / haven't / haven't seen
/ her since / went downstairs.
And even Nelly was satisfied Santa
Claus had come and taken Esmeralda
| with him when he went.
| The DAYS few past and the Christmas
| drawer in Nelly's bureau was nearly
/ filed with gifts-for mamma, for papa,
and the boys; for aunts, cousins, and
| friends. Bob had corner in papa
/ chiffonier into which papa had vowed
not to peep. Even little Jack had caught
the excitement and toddled about the
/ house grooming "Kissmusi Kissmusl"
Mamma was caught several times
/ hurriedly shutting and locking closet
/ door. and papa twice sneaked into the
/ house by the back 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.
1t seemed to the children 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 mantel shelf in the nursery
| and six eyes tried hard to stay open
/ until Santa ClCus came. Bob was GER
| tain he could do Il, but he just shut
| the next he knew II was morning, and
Jack was pounding him on the chest
with tin trumpet. shouting "kissmus'
First the fun stockings had to be
emptied, disclosing delights beyond all
! expectations. Then came breakfast. and
then the drive through@fthe cleaning
snow to church. Then home to the din
ner Of turkey. plum pudding, and the
| tixin's,' as Bob said,
In the afternoon the cousins and
| aunts, uncles and grandma and grandpa
came. AS it began to get dark Nelly
! whispered to mamma, Isn't il most
/ timer" Yes" mamma whispered back,
If you will ask them all to come into
door"
So Nelly very prettilv ushered the
guests into the back parlor from the
sitting room. and when papa opened the
folding doors into the paTlor they all
| trOoped in.
And there stood wonderful Christ
mas tree, tall and green, sparkling with
red and white candles. and all over It
hung delightful looking packages.
/ Under the trees seated in a red chair
was Esmeraldai Her head was whole
and her blue eyes shOne at Nelly from
under Esmeralda's own brown hair. She
was dressed in a new red velvet walk
ing suit, and near her stood Il fine brass
bedstead with a lace coverlid.
| Nelly clasped Esmeralda in her arms.
speechless with delight. and II did not
need Santa Claus himself, who came
from behind the tree, TO convince her
that he was real He wore a red coat
trimmed with fur and a long white
beard. He called Nelly Little Girl
when he spoke TO her in his funny
squeaking voice. telling her that If she
had been a bit quicker that day she
might have caught him.
He delivered all the presents himself,
and said such funny things that he kept
everybody shrieking with laughter. He
had forgotten nothing. A big box labeled
| More candy made Bob blush Jack
sat on a tiny sled hugg-ng his 'Nefa-
lunt." To be sure It was only loot