Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1907-12-05

could not be determined, inasmuch as
1t was completely covered by Sarah
Mary's best apron, a very large white
n with strings of great length. These
strings were crossed diagonally on the
child's back and brought over he1
shoulders to the front, where they ter
minated TN a large bow securely pinned
to her dress. Her curly hair had been
made to lie as fat as such hair ever
would. She stood with her eyes rivet-
ed on Santa Claus, on whose face was
a broad smile. Truly he was a won
derful Santa Claus! An old buffalo
skin, plentifully besprinkled with
-four, was gathered about him and tied
In place about his neck, arms and legs.
1t was easy to see that getting down
stairs at yer so slow a pace must
have been a difficult matter. His hair
and beard were we'll covered with
flour, and so was the old fur cap on his
head. There was ever a dash of flour
here and there on the boots he wore.
ooh! Oh! I'd never know you in the
world!' gasped Sarah Mary. Then,
recollecting herself, she walked sedate-
ly to a chair placed in one corner of
the room.
Santa Claus for his part was unable
to suppress an admiring "Well, 1 de-
clare to man." as he looked about the
room. On the wall in several places
were strips of brown cambria on
which were pasted sentiments appro-
pirate to the season. The letters were
of various sizes, cut from the papers.
"Peace on Earth" read Santa Claus,
looking at the words over the stove
through a tremulous mist that made
them waver.
A wreath of autumn leaves was
pinned on M window curtain and a
bunch of dried "everlastings'' on the
other. There was a big candle in the
center of the wooden mantel and a
small n at each end. A lamp burned
on the one table, and the smallest can.
die Of all shone from a little tin can
dlestick placed on the top Of the tree.
The inverted washtub was hidden by
an old red cloth, and above it the tree
rose Respondent, it's bare twigs glis.
tening with strips of tin and scraps OF
colored paper and hung with strings OF
popcorn. Tied to the two largest
branches were two packages wrapped
in a newspaper.
Sarah Mary's eyes shone with pride
as she looked at the tree.
'This is a glorious, blessed time, chill.
dren," said Santa Claus, advancing
slowly to the tree and turning his eyes
on his sedate but beaming audience.
We've got a sight of things to be joy.
u about. and, wishin' you all a mer-
ry Christmas-New Year, l will now
percede to distribute the presents"
So saying, Santa Claus put out his
hand and cautiously united one of the
newspaper packages.
"'For Grandfather Nichols" he
read slowly aloud. II understand he's
expected to be with us this evenin'
and will probably be along in a few
minutes"
He united the other package and
read, "'For Sarah Mary Nichols Will
the little gal step forrard and get hel
presents" Sarah Mary received the
package and a pat Oh the head from
Santa Claus. She turned away and
then stopped.
Grandfather" she cried, facing
about and throwing her little arms as
far around the be1oured buffalo robe
as they would reach, you've been q
splendid Santa Claus, and now will
you take your package and be the res
Of the children with me? It's only jesi
molasses candy, but it's real good.
tasted it to see"
"Well, l reckon l WILL" said Grand
father Nichols heartily as he burst the
bonds Of his buffalo robe and kicked
off the clumsy boots with a right gooG
will.
He and Sarah Mary we're sitting to
gether in the big old rocking chair, the
candleS warp bcrninu low and tho mo