The Colorado statesman., 1909-12-18

nc opened MS mouth III oASN
laugh. Yes, clumb down the chin
bley." he said.
You say 'chimbley' and say chin
ley;' but my father says-says CHI
ch-chimneley is right" informed the
Littlest Boy.
You don't mean it," returned Santa
Claus, who, having backed to the win
dow looking upon the side porch, now'
with his hand behind him, was deftiy
sliding 1t up.
please don't go. Santa Claus" be-
sought the Littlest Boy. We'll talk
real low, so nobody'll hear. That Is.
II you're not in too big hurry 10
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?
My chair is the middle one there.
and these are my stockings in front OF
it."
We'll was kinder foolin' around
when you come in." confessed santa
Claus; but | reckon I'm through.
Them other chairs are your mas an
pas, take it?"
Yes; mammals is the rocker and
papa's is the other" informed the Lit
tlest Boy, hurriedly. did you bring
me red wagon and a silver napkin
ring?"
Aren't they there?" queried Santa
Claus.
May ! look?" asked the Littlest
Boy, eagerly.
Sure" grunted Santa Claus, with
mis- favorite word.
The Littlest Boy was not slow In
taking advantage of that permission.
In a twinkling he was Ut the chair,
and. oblivious to the rustling that he
was producing, was burrowing amidst
it's contests.
He did not have to burrow to find
the red wagon. Its two front wheels
were sticking straight up against the
chairs back!
"Oooo-ee!" jubilated the Littlest
Boy, turning with sparkling eyes.
viii its sides fold over?"
You bet!" assured Santa Claus.
Just bushels and bushels of thanks,
Santa Claus" purled the Littlest Boy,
rapturously. 81 hope it's bigger than
my Cousin James is! Is it?"
"Sure!" said Santa Claus. Now.
about the ring? Amt it there?"
Il don't see it?" replied the Littlest
Boy. rummaging.
"Mebbe it's in the. stockin's," sug-
gested Santa Claus.
And it was.-a beautiful. shiny, sill
yer napkin ring.
"Oooooo-eee!" gurgled the Littlest
Boy, unwrapping it. Il bet it's the
very solides' kindl"
Claus. That's what intended it to
be, anyhow, an l hope l amt made
no mistake"
Yes, it's solid. all right enough" he
said, weighing it 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
tlest Boy, abashed. I've tried to be
awful good I've picked up kindlin'
and went on errands and brushed my
| teeth-and-and gone down cellar
after dark, and-and-and I've hardly
ever cried when got hurt!"
Still, seems to me-" persisted
Santa Claus, gazing at the shiny ring
in his fingers, that a wagon alone is
them other things you've got in yon
chair and socks. | dunno but what
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 it
more'n me, then you can-can take
it; and p'raps next Christmas"
Cod" roared the Biggest Boy, like
an angry lion, leaping through the IL
brary doorway
With a slam up sped the window;
with an oath, out whirled Santa Claus.
You've scared Santa Claus! You've
scared Santa Claus" walled the Lit
tlest Boy, in despair.
Il have, have II" exclaimed the Big
gest Boy, gathering the waller into his
arms.
"And he took my ring" farther la
mented the Littlest Boy.
He did, did he!" repeated the lion
-tnat Is, the biBSest boy--ln COLI
miserating growl. Never mind; well
get another"
But told him he might, if there's
some other little boy who'd ought to
have it more explained the Littlest
Boy, truthfully. Maybe he'll bring
me one next Christmas"
Here the Biggest Boy shut the
treacherous window; and with the Big
gest Girl, who by this time had ar
rived and was hugging and kissing
the Littlest Boys two rosy feet, as