The Monticellonian., 1907-12-12
oss7risii By Uaier-ood a UaarT.ooa

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 his limbs only wriggled a 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. I'll 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 noise of un- barring and unlocking Then he felt 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.
 Eve been playin' at Santa Claus, matey," Black said. We judged yer was pretty bad not to answer the knockin, so I got in. Rare nice toys them was yer gave my young 'uns. Judged yer was pretty bad, so I fetched 'em.'
 Bill Black looked at the fire thoughtfully, and repeated to himself: Rare nice toys" Then be 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 Jimmy while she nursed him and he grew 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 he did everything feebly just then and 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 " the first thing he noticed was that Santa Claus was gone from the man. telpiece. He was very weak, and he could not help a few tears coming to his eyes; but he had brushed them away before Bill came in.
 Feel all right. boy?" Bill asked.
 Yes. Bill" Jimmy said. Pretty 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. telpieee. where Santa Claus wasn't, and so were Jimmys.
 No said Jimmy. bravely. "No, Bill"
 Not on the mantelshelf?'
 Jimmy pressed his finger-nails against his palms. There was sort of figure there" he said, wasn't there's Bill? I-I s'pose it got broke IL uOeSu uudtteI, Dill. ' Il-lt NdSn worth nothink."
 Bill laughed and slapped his leg with his hand. Yer ain't no judge of figures, matey, l can see. That ere was curious old piece of stuff, an valerble, or I ain't no judge. I 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 a thousand dollars I took the liberty of usin' the odd money in the business 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 toys!"
 For there is honor among-Paxton alley; and Paxton alley extends to the toy-shop now Jimmy and young Bill are there!