Little Falls herald., 1904-12-16
Bobbiie's : General |
Bv Jane Crawford.

4 window, watching the big snow
fakes fall and cover all the ugly places
IN the road. People were hurry1ng
along the streets, carrying bundles
big bundles, little bundles, smoorn
bundles, bulky bundles, many bundles.
Il wonder if there really is a Santa
Claus" museu Bobbie, "or if it's papas
and mammas that give us the things.
I Just do wonder!' It was question
that had puzzled Bobbie lor some tine.
For weeks he had heard mamma ana
Aunt Nan talking about the things
they were going to give to people
Anyway, tonight l bet III stay
9wake and watch, just to see IT it's
really Santa Claus, or if it's mamma"
the youngster decided.
At the usual time that night he tod
died off to bed and in his own room ne
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 nigat.
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 a beautiful white rocking horse,
whose long white tail seemed to be
waving like flag. "Oh, 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
SOlQ1erS, 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,
I'm most smothered in here" Then
Bobbie bravely poked in one chubby
hand and brought out another tin SOL
dier-a gay one, in a bright red and
yellow uniform and a helmet and
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 white
clad figure on the sled.
Wei, such a trip as I've had!'' he
exclaimed. "Ive come way from the
Santa Claus country in his big sleigh,
packed in boxes and bags, and drawn
over the snow with the swiftest rein
deer! I've been Topped and banged
about like a rag doll, and I'm just worn
out!"
He glared at Bobbie, while the little
boy gazed back in adniring awe.
'Please, sir, is there really and truly
4 Santa CLAUSE"
"Is there really and truly Santa
CLAUSE" mimicked the general. "Now
look here, young fellow!"
"Young fellow!" Bobbie's chest be-
gan to swell and he Strengthened up.
Eight years of baby, sweetheart and kid
were instantly forgotten. Here was a
play fellow that was worth while, to
call him by such grownup names
young fellow" continued the gen.
eral, "you don't want to begin to won
der if there is Santa Claus"
"But," interrupted Bobbie, II don't
want to be a-a-ignorormous;
want to know about things"
"Well,. it isn't good thing for a
young fellow to know too much. Per.
haps you have never heard that in
Santa Claus workshop, where he
makes all the toys, he keeps some
books, and he has written down the
name of every child in the world
Just as soon as he learns that boy
wants to find out his secrets, hi
scratches that boys name off one bool
and puts it into another. and after his
name he writes, caps, mittens, coats
shoes"
Bobbie shivered and put his arm!
tight round the neck of the new rock
ing horse.
"How does Santa Claus find out?'
timidly.
HE sends fellows like me to find on
what fellows like you say" givinl
Bobbie look that made him wriggl,
and his teeth begin to chatter.
"Youre cold; get into bed" com
manded the general, as if he was talk
ing to one of his own soldiers "An'
as I am not in the habit of sleepln,
with horses and common soldiers, II
60 to bed with YOU"
They both got into bed and the sen
erals bright red uniform snugy1e,
down to the white night gown and tn
two were soon fast asleep.
l@, s-~I.4 7>A1