Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1907-12-19

headed. There was a grating noise
outside the window-the noise Of
some one slipping a knife through
the frame to press back the catch
Jimmy struggled to move, but mis-
limbs only wriggled little. He
tried to shout, but no sound came
The shutters came open with a
crash, and Bill Black stepped within
The short, jagged knife that he had
opened the window with was still in
his hand; and Santa Claus seemed
taunting Jimmy. You've given them
my toys he said. III give him your
money"
Jimmy closed his eyes to escape
the 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 pulse.
Collapse" a pleasant voice said
It's 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,
matey," Black said. I'VE Judged yer
was pretty bad not TO answer the
knockin', so l got in. Rare nice toys
them was yer gave my young 'uns
Judged yer was pretty bad, so
fetched EN-"
Bill 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
f';lly gentle in handling Jimmy.
Mrs. Black was gentler still with
Jimmy while she nursed him and he
grew very foAd 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 feebIy
he did everything feebly just then
and promised to take young Bill,
and said he made no doubt they'd
do very we'll; 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
Santa Claus was gone from the man.
telpiece. He was very weak, and he
could not help few tears coming
to his eyes; but he had brushed them
away before Bill came in.
Feel all right, boy?" Bill asked.
fair"
Seems strange down here, don't
it?"
"A little strange" Jimmy agreed.
Bill cut some hard tobacco in the
palm of his hand, and whistled soft.
ly and filled his pipe. Notice any
thing pertickler stranger he sug.
gested. His eyes were on the man.
telpiece, where Santa Claus wasn't.
and so were Jimmy's.
No." said Jimmy, bravely. mo,
Bill"
Not on the mantelshelff
Jimmy pressed his finger-nails
against his palms. There was a
sort of figure there" he said, wasn't
there's Bill? IL s'pose 1t got broke.
1t doesn't matter, Bill. lit wasn't
worth nothink."
Bill laughed and slapped his leg
with his hand. Yer amt no Judge
of figures, matey, / can see. That
ere was a curious old piece OF stuff.
an valerble, or | amt no Judge. Il
took the notion o. lockin' i'm away
upstairs, Jimmy" Bill put his
great hand on the boys shoulder.
THE long stockin' were inside him.
Over thousand dollars. / took the
liberty of usin' the odd money in the
bus ness for yer, but the thousand Is
there. An It's lucky fer yer, matey.
as yer was dealin' with an honest
man-wot might have been diffrint
If you hadn't given the kids them
toysl"
For there is honor among-Paxton
alley; and Paxton alley extends TO
the toy-shop now Jimmy and young
Rill are therel