The Washington times., 1904-12-11

fornia Ed. its funny some Amt drift
ed in. Town amt settled enough yet for
to bring in the rubber ring brigade,
reckon"
ITO top of this Christmas tree splurge
OF CherOkee's." went on Badly. "hc's
goin' to give an imitation of Santa
/ Claus. He's got a white wig and
whiskers that disigure him up exactly
Ike the pictures OF this William cullen
isongfellow in the books; and a red suit
OF fur-trimmed outside underwear. and
eight-ounce gloves. and a stand-up. lay
down eroshayed red cap. Amt It a
shame that a outfit like that can't get
chance TO connect with a Annie and
Willie's prayer layout"
When does Cherokee allow TO come
over with his truck inquired Trinl-
dad
'Mornin before Christmas said Bal
dy. And he wants you folks to have a
room fixed Up and a tree hauled and
ready. And such ladies 10 assist as can
stop breathin' long enough 70, let it be
a surprise for the kids"
The unblessed condition OF Yeilowharn-
mer had been truly described. The voice
or childhood had never gladdened its
nimsy structures; tho patter of restless
little feet had never consecrated the
one rugged highway between the two
rows Of tents and rough buildings. Later
they would come. But BOW YeIlowham-
mer was but a mountain camp. and no
where in it were the rogulsh. expec-
tant eyes, opening wide al dawn of the
enchanting day; the eager, small hands
TO reach for Santa's bewiIdering hoard;
the elated, childish v0iclngs OF the sea-
sons joy. such as the coming good
things Of the warm-hearted Cherokee de-
served.
or women there were five IN Yellow
hammer. The assayer's wife. the pro-
prietress OF the Lucky Strike Hotel. and
laundress whose washtub PANIED out
an ounce OF dust a day These were
the permanent feminines: the remaining
two were the Spangler sisters. Misses
Fanehon and Erma, Of the Transconti-
mental Comedy Company. then playing
in repertoire at the QmDFovised) En-
pire Theater. But Of children there
were none. Sometimes Miss Fanchon
enacted with spirit and address the
part OF TObustiOus childhood: but be-
tween her delineati0n and the visions
OF adolescence that The fancy offered as
eligible recipients Of CheTkee's holiday /
stores there seemed TO be fixed a gulf
Christmas would come onThursday On /
morning Trinidad. Instead of /
going TO work, sought the Judge at the /
Lucky Strike Hotel.
'ItlI be a disgrace 10 NeIlowham- /
mer, said Trinidad. If It throws Chero- I
kee down on his Christmas tree blow 4
out. You might say that that man /
made this town. For one. I'm gOin' TO /
see what can be done 10 give Santa /
Claus a square deal"
My cooperation. said the Judge,
would be gladly forthcoming. / am
indebted 70 Cherokee Tor past favoTs
But. ] do not see-I have heretofore re-
garded the absence or children rather as
i luxury-but in this instance-stin. / do
lOt see
Look AT nae" said Trinidad. and
you'll see old Ways and Means with the
ur on. I'm goin' 10 hitch up team and
-ustle a load of kids for Cherokee's
santa Claus act. II / have To rob an
orphan asylum
Eureka cried the Judge. enthusiast
icalIy.
No, YOU didn't" said Trinidad. decid-
dly- 4 found IL myself. / learned about
hat Latin word at school"
II viii accompany you, declared the
Judge. waving his cane. Perhaps such
-lOquence and gift Of language as I may
POSSESS viii be "A benefit in Dersuading
,ur young friends 70 lend themselves 10
,ur project
Within an hour YeliOwhammer was ac-
luainted with the scheme or Trinidad
nd the Judge. and approved IL. Citizens
Who knew OF families with offspring
within a forty-mile radius OF Yellow
hammer came forward and contributed
heir Information. Trinidad made care
III notes OF all such. and then hasten ,
d 70 secure a vehicle and team.
The first stop scheduled was at a
Ouble Lighthouse fifteen miles out from
-ellowhammer. A man opened the door ,
/ TTinidad's hail. and then came down
nd leaned upon the riclEety gate. The i
cor way was flled with a close mass of I
oungsters. some ragged. all FUR OF Gu
iosity and health.
Its this way explained Trinidad Z
We're from NelloWhammer. and We [
ONE kidnapin In q gentle kind OF "A /
FAY. One OF our leading citizens is