The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1906-06-28
CHAPTER XII.

might have heard the dust OF their feet
falling, their shouts receding in the far
woodland. The sun rose In clear sky
above the patched and ragged canopy
Of the woods-a weary multitude now
resting In the still air.
The children were up looking for
tracks Of reindeer and breaking paths
In the snow. Sunlight glimmered In
far flung jewels of the frost king. They
lay deep. clinking as the foot sank in
them. At the Vaughn home 1t was an
eventful day. Santa Claus-well, he Is
the great captain that leads us to the
farther gate of childhood and surren-
ders the golden key. Many ways are
beyond the gate. some steep and
thorny, and some who pass 1t turn
back, with bleeding feet and wet eyes.
but the gate opens not again for any
that have passed. Tom had got the
key and begun to try 1t. Santa Claus
had wlnked ut him, with a snaring
eye, like that of his aunt when she had
sugar In her pocket, and Tom thought
Il very foolish. The boy had even felt
of his greatcoat and got a good look at
his boots and trousers. Moreover,
when he put his pipe away, Tom saw
him take chew of tobacco--an abb
horrent thing If he were to believe his
mother
Mother" said he. 81 never knew
Santa Claus chewed tobacco"
"well, mebbe he was Santa Claus
hired man." said she.
"AIight "a had the toothache," Paul
suggested, for Lew Allen, who worked
for them in the summer time, had u
habltual toothache. relieved many times
a day by chewing tobacco.
Tom sat looking into the fire mo-
ment.
Then he spoke Of a matter Paul and
he had discussed secretly.
"Joe Bellus he tol me Santa Claus
was only somebody rugged up { fool
folks an hadn't no relndeers at ALL"
The mother turned away. her wits
cropping for an answer.
Hadn't ought to IA told mother,
Tom" said Paul, with little CULVER Of
reproach and pity. "'Tain't so, anyway
we know 'tain't So"
He was looking into his mothers
face.
"'Taln't So" Paul repeated with un-
shaken confidence.
Mustn't believe all ye hear" said
the widow, who now turned to the
doubling Thomas.
And that very moment Tom was
come to the last gate of childhood,
whereon are the black and necessary
haI al
The boys in their new boots were on
the track of a panther. They treed
him presently at the foot of the stairs.
How'll we kill hlm?" one Of them
inquired.
"Just walk around the tree once"
said the mother, IAN you'll scare him
to death. Why don't ye grease your
boots?'
"'Fraid it'll take the screak out Of
'em." said Paul, looking down thought
fully at his own pair.
"Well," said she. you'll have me
freed IL you keep on. No hunter would
have boots like that. A loud foot
makes a still gun"
That was her unfalling method of
control, the appeal to intelligence. Pol
ly sat singing thoughtfully, the locket
In her hand. She had kissed the sacred
thing and hung 1t by ribbon to her
neck and bathed her eyes In the golden
light Of 1t and begun to feel the subtle
pathos In its odd message. She was
thinking Of the handsome boy who
came along that far May day with the
drove and who lately had returned to
be her teacher at Linley school. Now
he had so much dignity and learning
shc liked him not half SO well and felt
lie had no longer any care for her. She
blushed to think how she had wept
over his letter and kissed 1t every day
for weeks. Her dream was interrupted
presently by the call Of her brother
Tom. Having cut the frost on a win
dow pane, he stood peering out. A
man was approaching In the near field.
His figure showed to the boot top
mounting hills Of snow and sank out
of sight In the deep hollows. 1t looked
as II he were walking on a rough sea.
In moment he came stridlng over the
dooryard fence on pair of snowshoes.
ITS Mr.. Trove, the teacher" said
Polly, who quickly began to shake her
,curis.
As the door swung open all greeted
the young man. Loosenlng his snow
shoes, he flung them on the step and
came In, q fox tail dangling from his
fur cap.
He shook hands with Polly and her
mother and lifted Paul to the ceiling.
Hello. young man.. said he. III one
IN four, how many are twor
III you're speaking Of new boots"
said the widow. zone is at least fif.
teen"
The schoolteacher made no reply, but
stood a moment looking down at the
boy.
IT'S cold day." said Polly.
II like It." said the teacher, lifting
his broad shoulders and shifting them
with his hands. God has been house
cleaning. The dome of the sky Is all
swept and busted. There isn't a cob
web anywhere. Santa Claus comeT
"Yes," said the younger children. who
made a rush for their gifts and laid
them on chairs before him.
Grand old chapv' said he. staring
thoughtfully at the flannel cat In his
hands. ANY idea who 1t lss"
Cant make out" said Mrs. Vaughn;
''very singular man."
Generous, too" the teacher added.
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