The Democratic advocate., 1909-12-24
seWhy, what would you do 2"
ed tell him what I think OF him.
"And what is that 2"

wv
cpd fell him what 1 think of him."
"And what is that z"
"Oh. that I think he's a fraud Pre-
tending he comes in sleigh when the
ground has been bare for month
And reindeers too Who does he think
is going to believe that ? Why doesn't
he come on bicycle p
"His fur coat would be rather in
the wav." said Fletcher gravely. And
he's pretty old, too, and maybe does
not know how to ride, and, besldes'
how would he bring the presents :!
"What's the use of presents, any
wav =? never have anything that's
any good -
81 think. you have the blues today,
i said Fletcher, and then ne u!u noI
speak again, though Teddy tf1eo u
draw him out.
He seemed to be in brown study,
u Rand nothing reused him till Ida came
lin, and even then he did not say MUCH
and stayed only short time.
It was in the evening that card
! was brought to Teddy. On 1t was
! ! written Santa Claus" Teddy's eyes
:. sparkled. 'Tell him to come 1n, ne
said grandily. :,
+ A moment later Santa Claus stood
f before him. a tall, fur clad figure with
6 flowing hair and beard. Teddy shook
v hands and introduced the guest TO MS
e aunt. - - o.,
Teddy asked. And how are the rein
deers %
} "I did not come on runners, young
o man. said Santa Claus. perhaps you
le did not know there is no snow Oh
the ground
t, Bicycle ?' asked Teddy.
1t mo; came in motor carriage,
a u "A motor carriage !" cried Tedd!
a - inereduously. Then he ran to the WIN
III dow and looked out "It is, Aun
Ida" he said excitedly, coming back
s.You can. see it just as plain out un
If, der the electric light"
p 81 did not bring you any presents
s. said Santa Claus, "as l heard you VI !
a not care for them, but would ike Z
of take you for little ride, if your aun
er, will go too. | came early" glancln
zee at the clock, $50 that I can get bac
ke and attend to the boys and girls Wn
en- like to have presents"
II eOf course we will go" said Tedd
all promptIy. 81 have never been IN
ol motor carriage.
!ltl nu In few moments the three were Q
~ III their way, we'll protected from IL
ip - cold, bracing air by an abundance
~ furs and wraps. There was no moo
hut after the lighted streets OF TT
town were past the stars shown dow
on them brightly.
Ic Teddy was wild with delight, and q
'o' tongue ran on rapidly. At length tnel
ing were occasional pauses, then long
ida ones interrupted by disjointed
me marks. Finally there was total sllenc
the Fletcher bent over so that ne cou
, in see the child's face; then he looked
nee Ida and smiled.
"I don't know how to say 1t,
lad burst out desperately at length.
st- keep forgetting how I look, and II
rem saw il the way I want to it will be pc
raj fectly ridiculous. And yet mu
saw it, for 1 may never have anotn
nth chance"
not She was looking at him, her startl
say ewes dark and luminous in the sts
ns. light.
noI "Perhaps you do not need to say
~ ~, she said gently.
without NV telling you!?" he ask
,no eagerly. -
10 When they reached the house Flets
was err took Teddy in his arms and carr
y him in. He laid him gently on
was couch in the hall and turned aW
Iar thinking the child still slept
70 "I can stop only moment" flet'
,orv er said. rs it late 2
= r. At that instant Teddy sat poit =
~ no ;, right. staring about him Wildly.
no. caught sight of his father IN an !.
an'a aOh. papa y he cried. his voice n
i,s+ ing out clear and shrill. "On, pa
,nar sus santa Claus is kissing Aunt Ida
Boston Herald.
~ " ~ n