Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-19

IT was IN old-fashioned Christmas Eve
the first In several years Outside,
the snow was falling gently, softly,
covering the dark streets In a garment
as white as Carara marble. The mutfied
crunch Of passing wheels and the dis
tant bum of laborlng trolley cars reached
Nelson's ears but family as ne stood at
the window of his apartment gazing ont
reminiscently. Somehow II 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 IN lts
steady downpour; or perhaps 1t was the
cheering knowledge that the long-covefeu
place of cashier in the bank was his at
last-his after so many years OF waiting
and patirnt labor. Or, II might nave
been the 10y Of his wife over bis sue
cess-bless her heart. He could henr
her now in the next room tucking the
children into bed and trying to ailay,
but really encouraging, their excitement
over tho expected visit of ST. Nicholas
"'Twas the night before Christmas.
he heard her reciting TO the klddles,
when all through the house, not Il
"Keep your mouth shut" growled
husky voice behind him suddenly, "IYe
got you covered. II you open your race
itll be your last yawp'
wheeling quickly around, Nelson gazei
straight down the barrel OF a leyeled
revolver. Behind the revolver were two
glittering, determined eyes. The fnce or
the intruder was but partially coneealed
by a hastily arranged muttier. The eyes
were steady, cold, unwavering. So was
the hand that held the revolver.
"What are you do" Nelson gHsped.
"shut upl" the burglar snapped out
''Who do you think ! am? Santa Claus!
You make any noise and you're done for!
Don't forget itl'
Nelson was silent. He glanced anxious.
" at the closed door leading into the
childTen's room.
"Get busyp' commanded the burglar.
Hand over the dough-and don't over
look the family Jewels, either"
Nelson started forward slightly, then
stopped.
"The stockings were hung in the chin
nev with care" he heard In his wlfes
toyously tense and exaggerated tones.
He could almost see the excited, eager
faces OF the Riddles, as they listened
expectant, open-mouthed.
II won't" be finally answered, quietly
and steadily. "and don't you make any
noise, either. Here's ffty-dollar bill
every cent I've got with me. Behind
that door are my wife and children. It's
Christmas Eve. II they heard you-h
they saw you and that gun-tuere ue
no Christmas here tomorrow. Instead
or Santa Claus, we'd have the doctor.
Here, take this ffty and get out"
The burglar grinned.
Gee, aren't you a cool oneF he
laughed. "But you don't get OF that
easy. / happen to know you're a bank
cashier and that you were paid of 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
across!
Il won't do it,
IAN right. young fellar," the burglar
chortled, shall call the madam"
Maybe the Kids would Ike 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
getfu Of his tone.
The door opened.
Ibid you call me, dear"
And his wife stopped short, swayed a
moment. and then recovered bravely. as
she took In the situation. She closed