The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-12-13

some one slipping q knife through
the frame to press back the catch
Jimmy struggled 70 move, but hill
limbs only wriggled a little. HI
tried to shout, but no sound came
The shutters came open with
crash. and Bill Black stepped within
The short, jagged knife that he hat
opened the window with was still In
his hand: and Santa Claus seemed
sauEting Jimmy. You've given them
my toys" he said. TN give him your
money"
Jimmy closed his eyes to escape
he sight of the knife, but he felt
Black looking at him. Then. to his
surprise. he went away into the
shop. Jimmy heard a noise OF un-
barring and unlocking. Then he felt
a cool hand ON his pnlse.
Collapse" a pleasant voice said.
ITS lucky we weren't an hour later
Jimmy opened his eyes, and saw the
doctor and Black bending over him.
I've been playin' at Santa Claus,
niatey,'' Black said. I'VE judged yer
was pretty bad not to answer the
knockin', SO | got In. Rare nice toys
them was yer gave my young 'uns.
Judged e was pretty bad, SO I
fetched EN-"
BIZ Black looked at the fire
thoughtfully, and repeated TO himself:
Rare nice toys" Then he carried
Jimmy upstairs and helped the doc
tor put him to bed. He was wonder.
fully gentle in handling Jimmy.
Mrs. Black was gentler still with
while she nursed him and he
very fond Of her. Bill and
young Bill were looking after the
shop, she said, and doing very fair"
and she hoped he'd take young Bill
in the business.
Jimmy nodded and smiled feebly
The did everything feebly just then
land promised to take young Bill.
and said he made no doubt they'd
do very well; but in his heart he was
worried about the business.
Three weeks later Jimmy came
downstairs to the shop parlor, and
the first thing he noticed was that
'anta Claus was gone from the man
alpiece. He was very weak, and he
ould not help a few tears coming
o his eyes; but he had brushed them
way before Bill came in.
Feel all right! boy?" Bill asked.
Yes, Bill Jimmy said. Pretty
air."
Seems strange down here, don't
u"
"A little strange" Jimmy agreed.
Bill cut some hard tobacco In the
,alm Of his hand. and whistled soft.
y and filled his pipe. Notice any
hing pertickler stranger" he sug.
His eyes were on the man.
.~elpiece, where Santa Claus wasn't,
md so were Jimmy's.
No. said Jimmy, bravely. mo,
Bill"
Not on the mantelshelf?"
Jimmy pressed his f%pger.nails
his palms. There was a
sort Of figure there" he said, wasn't
here's Billg IL s'pose 1t got broke.
t doesn't mattey, Bill. lit wasn't
worth nothink.'
Bill laughed and slapped his lea
With his hand. "Yer amt no Judge
Il figures, mstey, l can see. That
ere was q curious old piece Of stun,
IN valerble, or I amt no Judge. i
ook the notion o lockin' i'm away
lpstairs, jimmy" Bill put his
,reat hand on the boys shoulder.
The long stockin' were inside him,
)ver a thousand dollars. I took the
Iberty Of usin' the odd money In the
'us'ness for yer, but the thousand Il
here, An it's lucky fer yer. matey.
8 yer vas dealin' with an honest
nan--wot might have been diifrirt
| yon hadn't given the kids them
oysi'
For there 10 honor among-Paxton
and Paxton alley extends to
he toy-shcp now Jimmy and young
n 49, No. N ~ NATF