The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-24
THE EVENING STORY
Cupid and Santa Claus.
(By Littell McClungN

Clinton for more than two wears and
Inat made up to some extent for the
Although Clinton was nearly +ven-
ty-hve years older than Johnnie. their
comradeship was of the genuine sort.
dhey shared each others joys and
dlVloeo sorrows evenly. They had in
terests in common, too-for did not
each think the world and all of Mrs.
Bessie Rosslyn?
Mrs. Rosslyn is too young and en-
IIrely TOO pretty to remain a widow
long" agreed the neighbors. When
they saw her last admirer taking her
Surrey son about just like a father,
tneIr prediction was: Mrs. RossIyn
Will soon be the wife of Mr.. Clinton -
But to ali surmises, Mrs. Rosslyn
SIMPLY smiled and shook her head az
am wrapped up, heart and soul. in
johnnie, she said, for the hundredth
tlme. Il expect to devote all my life
| 10 making him a fine strong man like
marry again.
when Clinton applied the question
IN personal way, she gave him the
| same reply He smiled, assumed a
! llght-hearted air, and their friendship
continued on the same sensible and
pleasant basis as before
| AS 1t was only a few days tilI
Christmas, Clinton invited Mrs. Ross
| lyn and Johnnie to go out shopping
Tor holiday presents.
- am ever SO grateful" responded
| the young woman. But I'VE pot 10
| superintend the cake baking. So that
you Will receive an adequate welcome
Cnrls.maS evening. You and Johnnie
| go-youll get lots more endowment
out of 1t than if I were along"
So Clinton and the Junior member
| or the chum firm started out. and soon
were pushing their way through the
crowded shopping district They stop
ped at a dozen or more stores-toy.
candy and epartment-and every-
where they bought something.
NJ xryo no Il zn-
present to the cook; a tea set for the
kind old lady in the fiat above. a dress
Tor the poor little girl around the
block, some handsome things for
grandma, and other purchases were
wrapped up for them.
Now, Johnnie" said Clinton, we're
gong TO buy your mamma little gift
But before we get it you must promise
not to breathe a word about it?"
"Double-cross my heart I won't te1I,,'
declared the little fellow in a solemn
whisper, passing his hand down and
across his chest.
"All right, Johnnie old fellow. I be-
iieve you even without the CROSSE"
laughed Clinton as they went out of the
big department store toward another
brilliantly lighted front across the
street.
They soon found what Clinton want
ed, and after careful inspection and the
critical approval of Johnnie, the present
was bought. The boy. as evidence of
confidence
shown in his ability to keep a secret.
double-crossed himself again.
After several other smaller purchases
they took car home. At the elevator
door they stopped.
Now, Johnnie" instructed Clinton
II want you to write a letter to Santa
Claus tonight-before you go to bed. |
Just tell him, the best you can, what |
you would like for Christmas, and leave
the letter for me. I'll be around to- |
night, and I'll take it to the postofice |
and put it into the right box for old |!
Santa!"
''That'n be bully. Mr.. Clinton" cried
the child. "Ill write it as good as |
can, but haven't been taking writing |
but one session. I'll give the letter to !
mamma, and she can give it to you
Good boy" declared Clinton, as he |
said goodbye to his little friend. Santa /
Claus can read it all right, and if you |
are very good between now and Christ
mas he'll bring you everything you ask
for, 1 expect
That evening when Mrs. Rosslyn ap-
peared her face was slightly flushed.
I've got Johnnie off to bed at last" |
she said, as she extended her hand in
a cordial clasp. THE poor little fellow
was tired out after his strenuous shop
ping tour. Tell me-what did you buy?
Johnnie wouldn't tell a thing, and he
warned me not to open any of the pack
ages that came in
Clinton laughed. 1.-THE little chaps
-
promise to everything in the lot" he
Well" he said, 1--WE bought num-
Der of pretty things-I don't think
Johnnie forgot one of his friends"
ooh, I'm just dying to see the out
ay!" she declared. But of course,
I'll try to compose myself and over
come my curiosity until Christmas
'I'I tell you one thing. Mrs. Ross
yn," Clinton volunteered 1.-The very
pest one of all is for-well, you ought
@ be able to guess"
The tender flash of her eyes showed |
hat she did guess. .
You dear, dear boys" she said
Really I don't know which of you
ike best!"
Clinton stepped toward her resolute- I
ooh, I don't exactly mean that" she t
Corrected, retreating slightly. But, /
indeed, it was sweet of you to re-
member me-" r
Not wishing to overstep the mark
gain, Clinton smiled grimIy and said a
Don't you know" Mrs. Rosslyn
uddenly exclaimed. CT almost for =
OF omething-Johnnie spent a whole =
alt an hour scribbling letter. From
he words he asked me how to spell, 1 =
uess it is for Santa Claus. He asked =
ne to be sure to give it to you-so ~
Tait moment and I'll get it,
She vanished through the curtains,
ut in moment reappeared with a .,
etter in her hand.
Look" she said. "It is addressed "
} Santa Claus in care of Mr.. Clin- IL
IN! What an idea of Johnnie'si"
at is what I suggested he answer
d. GAS it is partly addressed to me,
suppose I have the right to open it,
AS he spoke he took the much-inked
1eet of paper out of the envelope,
epped nearer the light. and read: =,
Dear Sanity Claus: am sure you are VI
good man, and as have tried to be
good boy, I hope you will leave me 30
,me nice things this year 1 want a
ockin horse, a base drum, and m