The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1909-12-19

sliding it up.
Please don't go, Santa Claus" be-
sought the Littlest Boy. Wen talk
real low, so nohody'n hear That is,
II you're not in too big a hurry to
stay" he added, politely.
Sure responded Santa Claus.
It's almost empty, isn't IT." assert
ed the Littlest Boy. But / s'pose
you've lots more up in the balloon.
Had you got all through with me.
Ny chair is the middle one there.
and these are my stockings in front of
1t"
Well. was kinder feolin' around
when you come in" confessed Santa
Claus; but | reckon I'm through
Them other chairs are your mas an
pas. I take it,"
Yes; mammals Is the rocker and
papa's is the other" informed the Lit
tlest Boy, hurriedly. Did you bring
a red wagon and a silver napkin
ring?"
Aren't they there?" queried Santa
Claus
May I look?" asked the Littlest
Boy, eagerly.
Sure" grunted Santa Claus. with
his favorite word
The Littlest Boy was not slow In
taking advantage of that permission.
In a twinkling he was at the chair.
and, oblivious to the rustIing that he
was producing. was burrowing amidst
its contests.
He did not have to burrow to find
the red wagon. It's two front wheels
were sticking straight up against the
chairs back,
"Oooo-ee" Jubilated the Littlest
Boy, turning with spark ing eyes.
"Nin It's sides fold over?''
You bet" assured Santa Claus.
just bushels and bushels of thanks,
Santa Claus" purled the Littlest Boy,
raptnrously. Il hope it's bigger than
my COUSIN James is, Is it,"
"sure." said Santa Claus. Now,
about the ring? Amt 1t there?"
u don't see it?" replied the Littlest
Bcy. rummag ing.
-'2Iehbe it's in the stockin's." sug-
gested Santa Claus.
And 1t was!-a beautiful, shiny. sill
paper
"Ooooco-eee," gurgled the Littlest
Boy. unwrapped It. Il bet it's the
very solides' kind"
Lemme see,, demanded Santa
Claus That's what I intended it to
be, anyhow, an | hope i amt made
no mistake
Yes, it's solid, all right enough" he
snid, weighing 1t In his hand, while
the Littlest Boy watched him. anx-
iously But don't you think that that
there wagon an this here ring, both
together. are too much for kid like
you?"
II don't know" responded the Lit
test Boy, abashed. I've tried to be
awful good I've picked up kindlin
ard went on errands and brushed my
/ teeth-and-an gone down cellar
after dark. and-and-and I've hardly
ever cried when I got hurt."
Still. seems to me-" persisted
/ Santa Claus, gazing at the shiny ring
in his fingers, that a wagon alone Is
good enough for one kid, besides al
them other things you've got In yoL
chair and socks. l dunno but wha
! I'll take this an give 1t som'ers else.
Well" agreed the Littlest Boy
/ gravely, "if--if you can find some lit
/ tie boy who ought to have 1
! more'n me, then yeu can-can tak'
! It; and p'raps next Christmas"
Cod" roared the Biggest Boy, Xix,
an angry lion, leaping through the II
/ brary doorway.
With a slam up sped the window
with an oath, out whirled Santa Claus
You've scared Santa Claus! You'v,
scared Santa Claus!" walled the Lit
tlest Boy. in despair.
81 have. have T." exclaimed the Big
gest Boy. gathering the waller into hi
arms.
And he took my ring. farther la
mented the Littlest Boy.
He did. did he!" repeated the liol
that is, the Biggest Boy-in com
miserating growl. Never mind; wei
get another"
But l told him he might. If there
some other little boy who'd ought t
have it more" explained the Littles
Boy. trutbfully. Maybe he'll brin
me one next Christmas"
Here the Biggest Boy shut tn
treacherous window: and with the Big
gest Girl. who by this time had al
rived and was hugging and kissin
the Littlest Boys two rosy feet, a
they hung down inside the Bigges
Boys arms, close accompanying. cal
ried him upstairs to bed.
What do you think, Evidently SAINT
Claus repented, or else he had onl
been joking. or else he could find n
other little boy who was more worthy
for, after all, at daylight there wa
discovered, lying on the mat befor
the sfde-door, that very same ring
wrapped. 1t is true. not in fine tissu
paper, but in coarse brown paper.
However upon the paper wa