The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1908-01-23
Christmas Eve Good Night

headed. There was grating noiee
outside the window-the noise OF
some one slipping a knife through
Jimmy struggled 10 move. but his
limbs only wriggled little. He
tried TO shout, but no sound came
The shutters came open with
crash. and BIZ 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 'I1l 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" 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 playiR at Santa Claus,
natey," Black said. we Judged yer
yas pretty bad not to answer the
knOckln'. so | got in Rare nice TOYS
them vas ser gave my young 'uns.
judged yer was pretty bad, so
fetched EN- "
I|iil Black looked at the fire
thoughtfully. and repeated TO himself:
'Raro 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
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 bed take young Bill
In the business.
Jimmy nodded and smiled feebly
he did everything feebly just then
and promised To take young Bill,
aud said he made no doubt they'd
do very well; but In his heart he was
worried about the business.
Three woexs 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
Yes, Bill" Jimmy said. Pretty
fair
Seems strange down here. don't
NJ"
"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
gesteG His eyes were on the man.
tclpiece. where Santa Claus wasn't
aud so were Jimmy's
No" said Jimmy. bravely mo.
BIN"
Not on the mantelshelf?"
Jimmy pressed his hnger-nails
against his palms There was a
sort OF figure there" he said. wasn't
there's Bill? IL s'pose II got broke
II doesn't matter Bill lit wasn't
worth nothink."
Rill laughed and slapped bis leg
with his hand "Yer ain't no Judge
OF hgures, matey, can see. That
ere was q curious old piece OF stun.
an valerble, or ! amt no Judge.
took the notion o. lockin' I'm away
upstairs, Jimmy" Bill put his
great hand on the boys shoulder.
THE long stockin' we're inside him!
over thousand dollars took the
liberty OF usin' the odd money In the
business for yer, but the thousand ia
there. An It's lucky fer yer, matey,
IA yer was dealin with an honest
man--wot might have been diffrint
II you hadn't given tho kids them
toysi"
For there is honor among-Paxton
alley, and Paxton alley extends to
the toy-shop now Jimmy and young
Bin arc thsrsi