Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-12-20
Bobbiie' $ General
By Jane Crawford,

WfAo luS udy USlOlc SuEAbluaS,
and Bobbie stood looking out the
= window, watching the big snow
fakes fall and cover all the ugly places
In the road. People were hurrying
along the streets. carrying bundles,
big bundles. little bundles. smooth
bundles, bulky bundles, many bundles.
II wonder if there really is Santa
Claus" museu Bobbie, cor If it's papas
and mammas that give US the things.
Just do wonder!" It was question
that had puzzled Bobbie Ior some time.
For weeks he had heard mamma and
Aunt Nan talking about the things
they were going to give to people.
Anyway, tonight bet Ill stay
awake and watch, just to see II It's
really Santa Claus. or If it's mamma"
the youngster decided.
At the usual time that night he tod
died of to bed and in his own room he
found nail in the mantel that papa
had fixed, and there he hung up one
long black stocking.
"Go to sleep quick, darling, because
Santa Claus is very busy tonight and
/, there are lots of places for him to go. /"
and mamma tucked him In bed and
kissed him good night.
| Say, mamma" called Bobbie. as she
was leaving the room.
Eyes, dear; what is it,"
| "Well-nothin'"
| He would stay awake and see for
! himself, so he lay there very still, with
his big blue eyes wide open. staring at
the fireplace. But the Sandman, who
Is a very particular friend Of Santa
Claus, came very early that night.
1t was just at the peep of day that
Bobbie awoke. He sat up in bed and
blinked toward the fireplace. There,
scattered over the floor, were lot Of
things. He scrambled out of bed and
ran to look. The stocking, that last
night hung limp, was now all over
bumps. There. saddled and bridled,
stood beautiful white rocking horse,
whose long white tail seemed to be
waving like flag. ooh, goody," said
Bobbie right out loud, here's the
Sleigh"
Bobbie grabbed the stocking and,
sQuatting Turk fashion on the new
new red sled. began pulling out tin
soldiers, whistles, and
''For goodness sake, take me out OF
here!" exclaimed deep voice down In
the toe Of the stocking.
Bobbie almost jumped out Of his
night gown.
Don't be afraid. but take me out
~,
Bobbie brayely poked in one chubby
hand and brought out another tin sol
dier-a gay one, in bright red and
yellow uniform and a helmet and Z
! sword, regular general.
'Whew!" painted the general, shak
ing himself so that his sword ratified
With arms folded across his tin chest
he stood looking sternly at the whit
clad figure on the sled.
well, such trip as I've had!" b.
exclaimed. "I've come way from tn
Santa Claus country in his big sleigh
packed in boxes and bags, and draw
. over the snow with the swiftest rein
deer! I've been Topped and bange
!, about like rag doll. and I'm just worl
out!"
He glared at Bobbie, while the uttl
boy gazed back in admiring awe.
"Please. sir. is there really and trul
= a Santa CLAUSE"
J, 'Is there really and truly SAINT
! CLAUSE" mimicked the general. "No,
}, look here. young fellow!"
' Young fellow!" Bobbie.s chest b,
, gan to swell and he Strengthened VI
4 Eight years of baby. sweetheart and XII
a were instantly forgotten. Here was
: play fellow that was worth while,
! call him by such grown-up names.
Young fellow" continued the ger
a eral, "you don't want to begin to wo1
a der if there is Santa Claus"
8 But" interrupted Bobbie, 81 don
9 want to be a-a-ignorormous:
. want to know about things"
well, it isn't good thing for
young fellow to know too much. Pc
haps you have never heard that |
: Santa Claus workshop. where /
y makes all the toys. he keeps SON
. books. and he has written down IL
J. name Of every child In the worl
+ Just as soon as he learns that be
y. wants to find out his secrets,
scratches that boys name off one Doc
and puts it into another. and after h
II name he writes, caps, mittens, coat
"a shoes"
\. Bobble shivered and put his arm
VShb tpyaa-thA-asslka u tAe-asM -