The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-25

TT was an old-fashoned Christmas Eve.
 the first in several years. Outside, 3 the snow was falling gently, softly, covering the dark streets in a garment as white as Carara marble. The mufiied crunch of passing wheels and the dis tant hum of laborlng trolley cars reached Nelson's ears but faintly as be stood at the window of his apartment gazing out reminiscently. Somehow 1t seemed to him more like Christmas Eve than 1t had for many years. Perhaps 1t was the soothing, rhythmic fall of the snow, en- trancing, fascinating, comforting h its steady downpour; or perhaps 1t was the cheering knowledge that the long-coveted place of cashier in the bank was his at last-his after so many years of waiting and patient labor. Or. 1t might have been the joy of his wife over his sue eess-bless her heart. He could hear her now in the next room tucking the children into bed and trying to allay' but really encouraging, their excitement over the expected visit of St Nicholas.
 ''Twas the night before Christmas, be heard her reeiting to the kiddies, '.When all through the house, not a-'
 Keep your mouth shut growled husky voice behind him suddenly I've got you covered If you open your face It'll be your last yaypi'
 Wheeling quickly around, Nelson gazed straight down the barrel of a leyeled revolver. Behind the revolver were two glittering, determined eyes The face of the intruder was but partially concealed by a hastily arranged mufier. The eyes were steady, cold, unwayering. So was the hand that held the revolver.
 What are you do Nelson gasped
 "shut upv the burglar snapped out, "Who do you think I am? santa Claus! Xon rnat-a any uoisa and yOuirp done for. Don't forget it!''
 Nelson was silent. He glanced anxious lv at the closed door leading into the children's room.
 Get busyr commanded the burglar. "Hand over the dough-and don't over look the family jewels, eitheri9
 Nelson started forward slightly then stopped.
 .'The stockings were hung in the chim- pev with care" he heard in his wife's joyously tense and exaggerated tones' He could almost see the excited, eager faces of the kiddies, as they listened expectant, open-mouthed.
 "I won't" he finally answered, quietly and steadily, "and don't you make any noise, either. Here's a fifty dollar bill every cent I've got with me. Behind that door are my wife and children It's Christmas Eve. If they heard you-h they saw you and that gun-there'd be no Christmas here tomorrow. lnstead or Santa Claus, we'd have the doctor. Here, take this fifty and get out
 The burglar grinned.
 "Gee. aren't you a cool oner he laughed. "But you don't get of that easy I happen to know you're bank cashier and that you were paid off to- day. Besides. you've got a nice little present from the boys at the bank in honor of your promotion. You ought to have about two or three hundred more somewhere around here. Get busy Come acrossi'
 II won't do it!''
 Al right, young fellar," the burglar chortled, shall I call the madam?" Maybe the kids would like to see how bright and shiny my gun is. Just as you say, old sport"
 ''You-' Nelson thundered forth, his wrath making him for the moment for getful of his tone.
 The door opened.
 Did you call me, dear"
 And his wife stopped short, swayed a moment, and then recovered bravely. as she took in the situation. She closed