The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-12-08
could not be determined iDaSmuch as

could not be determined, inasmuch as
it was completely covered by Sarah
Mary'S best apron. Il very large white,
one with strings of great length. These
strings were crossed diasonally on the
child's back and brought over her
shoulders to the front. where they ter
minated in 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 rvet-
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 ever so slow a pace must
have been difficult matter, His hair
and beard were well covered with
-four. and so was the old fur cap on his
head There was even a dash of -four
here and there on the boots he woe.
''Oh! 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. de
clare to man." as he looked about the
room. On the wall in several place:
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 tremulous mist that made
them Wayer.
A wreath of autumn leaves wa.
pinned on one window curtain and Il
bunch of dried 'everlastings" on tho
other There was big candle in the
center of the wooden mantel and Il
small one at each end. A lamp burned
on the one table, and the smallest can
die of all shone from 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 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. advancin"
slowly to the tree and turning his eyes
ON his sedate but beaming audience
"We've got sight of things to be joy
Gus 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 q few
minutes"
He united the other package ans.
read. "'For Sarah Mary Nichols. VIII
the little gal step forrard and get her
|
package and pat on the head FROM
Santa Claus. She turned away an1
then stopped.
Grandfather she cried. facinc
about and throwing her little arms as
far around the befloured buffalo robe
as they would reach. you've been Il
splendid Santa Claus, and now will
you take your package and be the rest
Of the children with me? It's, only jest
molasses candy, but it's real good. }
tasted it to see.''
"Well, reckon l will" said Grand
father Nichols heartily as he burst the
bonds of his buffalo robe and kicked
off the clumsy boots with right good
will.
He and Sarah Mary were sitting to-
gether in the big old rocking chair, the
candles were bIlrning low and the mo-