The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-12-21

STOCKINGS on CnrlStmaS eve, ana CnaI
good old fur-clothed Santa is myth.
Now, have here a letter from Santa.
(Great excitement among the chill
dren.).
"And he says he will arrive here
at 10 o'clock, coming down the chin
ney which you see before you. must
leave you for awhile, as I must keep
watch out side; but you must all keep
your seats, or Santa Claus may become
angry, and refuse to enter"
Ten o'clock was announced by the
tall clock in the adjoining room, and
the mellow chimes of that ancient
timepiece had scarcely died away be-
fore the children heard other sounds.
Up overhead there was violent
scratching and tearing, as though a
poorly 'shod reindeer was trying TO
climb the roof, and they distinctly,
heard the silvery tinkling of bells,
and some of them believed that they
could make out the grinding of the
sleigh runners on the shingles. 1t was
a moment of awful excitement; John
ME Bell, who had never quailed in
dangers stormy hour, did not try to
conceal the cold prespiration that
stood on his forehead, Amelia Grimm,
whose courage was generally unswerv-
ing and uncomrromising, tried to stife
a shrek, and only half succeeded.
After the roof had been successfully
assembled, they heard great noise by
the chimney, as though Santa had just
alighted, and then they heard him de-.
scend the interior of the chimney;
lower and lower he came, until finally
his legs were in the room, and they
kicked in very huma,4 and prosaic
way. After they had kicked for
| awhile, and no more of the visitors
body appeared, it began to dawn upon
everybody that Santa was in Difficult
ties. The children and the older Wis
itors sat staring at the legs for few
minutes, and then Mr.. Moon, who was
a man for an emergency, gallantly
rushed to the rescue. He seized
Santa's ankles and pulled with all the
force of pair of gymnasium-educa-
ted arms, but he didn't seem to make
any Roadway, for Santa yelled in a
voice that sounded like doleful cry
from the tomb that he was being
wedged in tighter than ever, and he
implored the company to do something
for his relief.
The elders held a council Of war.
Mr.. Brewster mildly suggested that it
would be a good plan to send in fire
alarm, but his wife crushed him with
look, and said that the only way she
saw was to take the bricks out Of the
chimney; and she added: ".'This comes
of a man trying to act the fool when
he ought to be thinking Of the world
to come"
Meanwhile Santa groaned and
shrieked ina fearful manner in the
chimney, and protested that IL he
wasn't soon released he would be
corpse. Mrs. Bell was fainting COM
fortably in her armchair, and most Of
the children had vanished. It was
then that Miss Rose approached Mr..
Moon, wringing her hands and weep
ing beautifully.
'Mr. Moon" she cried, "you see the
sufferings Of my uncle, and you stand
here idle. Can you not rescue him?"
Miss Rose" said the intrepid young
man, 81 can get him ont Of that In i've
minutes; it rests With you whether
shall do it or not. The last time ] pro-
posed to you you refused me, as usual,
IL you'll promise to marry me, I'll res
cue your uncle; IL you won't, leave
this town forever and your uncle in
the chimney. His kicks are growing
feeble and labored; don't think he
can last more than three minutes"
ll The young lady leveled q glance Of
scorn at him that should have wither-
ed him, but he stood Arm. He felt that
his whole future was at stake. and re-