Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-23
The Joke Santa Played.
BY ANDY S. WARNER

fact The sweetest smells were issuing
from the kitchen. packages were being de-
livered every few minutes with. loud ring
fr,gs of the deorbell. Every one was in a
state of the greatest excitement and ex-
pectancy-~eXcspt Puck. Puck was dec dealy
miserable because christmas is not good
for doggies,' his mother had told him be-
fore he had left the kennels to become the
pet of Daisy Manson. Puck had never been
treated as he mad been the last few days.
Nobody had any time for him. He was
driven from one room to another just as If
he had not been a thoroughbred. imported
from England, and costing many pounds
not dollars.
When Daisy had gone out that morning
instead of taking her dog she had said: II
can't take you today. old rellow. I'll have
too many packages to manage YOU"
Puck went to the Kitchen led there, no
doubt, by the seductive smells.
Get out of here" said Bridget, and she
actually fiourished broom at him. The
insult. 1t nearly broke Puck's aristocratic
heart you'll be scalded 20 DEATH" Bird get
went on, ''or what is worse, you'll be trip
ping me over. I've no time to look out for
you with all the Christmas cooking to at
tend to, and the party tonight besides"
Puck walked out of the kitchen up into
the playroom. This room was in the most
beautiful order, Daisy herself having ar
ranged the shelves, making room, she said
for all the new toys which never failed to
come to her on Christmas. He crawled un-
der the canopy which adorned the bed of
Frances. the last doll 10 arrive from Paris
and It Is to be feared that Puck was in
very bad humor. 1t was dark and warm
and quiet three things which often helm to
send people, as well as dogs, to the land of
dreams. Puck realized that ne was growing
drowsy and the last thing his eyes rested
upon before sinking into slumber was a
large book cut in the shape of Santa Claus
and colored to represent him as we'll The
book contained the story beginning, "'Twas
the night before Christmas and Puck
heard Daisy read that story only last night
What was his surprise to see that book
stratghten itself until 1t stood before him
In perfectly upright position. 1t looked
Hike a soldier on parade but of course n
was not soldier, only Santa Claus the
very being from whom he was trying to
escape. Santa Claus deliberately began
talking to him.
Puck, I do not like to see you show such
an ugly spirit this day before Christmas
Christmas Is my day, you know, and like
every living thing to be happy when this
anniversary comes around. You are Jealous
because your mistress has turned her atten-
you, don't you think, when you have her
thoughts all the year, while get it but a
few days? Ii you want to get any fun out
of Christmas, quit expecting Merry Christ
mas for yourself. Try to give it to some
one else" went on Santa Claus
Mr.. Santa Claus" said Puck looking Of
Tended, i would be glad to do something
to this end. but you will have to tell me
how. Nobody will allow me to help in any
way. All can do IS to keep out OF the way
until your day Is over. Every dog Is said
to have his day, but his day is evidently
Nonsense" replied Santa. you are all
wrong. The festival is in my honor, true
enough, but that does not shut out other
people from helping. Do you suppose
could make Christmas such a success IL
thousands, yes millions. of people did not
help me to do so? II you would like to lend
me hand-excuse me, | should have said
a paw, although I really shall need your
four paws-listen to my plan"
Puck was wide awake and polite enough
to crawl out from beneath the bed and give
his entire attention to his visitors
You know Daisy Is to have & party to-
night for all her girl and boy friends. There
is to be a splendid tree with presents on II
FOR them all, and have let nothing stand
In the way of making that tree-the hand
soonest | ever trimmed I had planned to
make my appearance myself to wish the
boys and girls a Merry Christi but so
many orders have come in at the last min
ute that / simply cannot take the time. If
you would like you can take my place.
You Will be a sort of clown Santa Claus,
but never mind about that. Children would
rather see a clown any day than a regular
actor. l always use the materials find at
hand. SO If you will allow me shall look
around and see what I can find In Miss
Dadsy's play room. Good, the very thing
Wen make a hit!" And he looked toward
The waste basket, where he saw false face
or santa Claus with its long white beard,
and the remains of giuepot warranted to
mend or stick anything. Here Santa Claus
Oent TO the ears of Puck and told him his
plan as secret. You know, Santa loves
secrets beyond everything else The secret
seemed to meet with Plicks approval for
ne wagged his tail and wriggIed his body
his favorite candy
1t grew dark very early. for snow storm
was ON the way. Sounds of arriving visit
ors came to Puck's ears as the bell pealed
again and again. His absence was not
noticed In the general excitement as beau
ufuliy dressed girls came into the adjoin-
ing room to remove their wraps, while
hoated up to Puck In his retreat beneath
the dolls bed. The voice of Daisy,s father
at last sounded, and as this was the cue
santa had given him to appear Puck
crawled out approached the waste basket.
knocked It over, rubbed his face In the
slowly trickling glue and then stuck ii into
the santa Claus false face lying convenient
~ near. In minute the queer Puck-Santa
Claus ran down the stairs and Into the
room, arousing shrieks of laughter as one
boy screamed: why. It's Santa Claus
ssNo 1t Is not" shouted another. ssrlsd
you ever see Santa Claus with four legs?
It's dog, that Is what 1t Is"
ITS my Puck said Daisy, taking the.
queer specimen in her arms. sbut how In
the world did he ever get himself up In
this clever fashion?i
Puck was not telling His part was played
and played well. He created more fssn Tor
the children than anything that had pre-
ceded his entrance.
That night when all the guests had gone.
Santa dropped In for minute to hear how
his Joke had passed OFT s
III
asked. p S
m not stuck on It, replied Puck