The Ordway new era., 1909-12-24

Il
ne opened his mouth in a,a unen
laugh. "Yes. 1 clumb down ~. a,,en' nn,
bley." he said. A' Chilli
,ou say 'chimbley' and saw .cb,m.
ny' put my father says-says cb"
n-chimneley Is right" informed ,ho
Littlest BOY. '''''eo the
fou don't mean III" returned SAINT,
lClaus. who. having b,ckaa ,a -, '",'"
uom looking upon the side porch now
WIN MS hand behind him. was deftly
sliding 1t up ''''''
riease don't go. Santa Claus" bo.
sought the Littlest Boy Wan tall
feai low. so nobody'l hear. That ia
you re not In too big n hurry to
stay. he added. politely.
sure. responded Santa CIous
us almost empty. isn't IT." assert.
ed the Littlcst Boy, But s'pose
you've lots more up in the balloon
IA" you got all through with me,
MY chair Is the middle one there
ana these are my stockings In front q,
it." '''"' Vi
We'll. | was kinder foolln' around
when you come in" confessed SAINT,
'laus: but | reckon I'm through
Them other chairs are your mas an.
pas. take it,"
| res: mammals is the rocker and
lhpa's Is the other" informed the Lit.
tlest Boy. hurriedly. Did you bring
me IA red wagon and a silver napkin.
ring?"
Aren't they there" queried Santa
Claus.
May look?" asked the Llttlest
Boy. eagerly.
Sure" gruntcd Santa Claus, with
his iavorite word
The Littlest Boy was not slow In
taking advantage of that permission.
In twinkling he was at the chair.
and. ohlivious TO the rustling that he
was producing. was burrowing amidst
its contests.
He did not have to burrow to find
the red wagon. Its two front wheels
were sticking straight up agains, the
chairs back
"oooo-ee!" Juhilated the Li,tlest
Poy. turning with sparkling eyes.
| W III us SUES lblu over.
You bet" assured Santa Claus.
| Just bushels and bushels OF thanks,
Santa Claus" purled the Littlest BOY.
rnpturously. Il hope it's bigger tLan
my Cousin James is! Is it,"
Sure" said Santa Claus. Now.
about the ring? Amt 1t there"
Il don't see it," replied the Littlest
Boy. rumm7ging.
"Mehhe It's IN the stockn's." sug.
gcsted Santa Claus.
And II was-a beautiful. shiny. sill
yer napkin ring. all done up in tissue
paper
"Oooooo.eee." gurgled the I.ittlest
Boy. unwrapped 1t. Il bet it's the
very solides' kind"
"Lemme see" demanded Santa
Claus. That's what | intended 1t to
be. anyhow. an | hope amt made
no mistake"
Yes. it's solid. all right enough" he
said. 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?"
Il 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
good enough for one kid. besides all
them other things you've got In yon
chair and socks. | dunno but what
ri take this an give 1t som'ers else.
WELL" agreed the Littlest Boy.
grayely. tiff you can find some 1T
lie boy who ought to have II
more'n me, then you can-can take
il: and p'raps next Christmas
Cod" roared the Biggest Boy. like
an angry lion leaping through the H.
brary doorway.
with n slam up sped the window:
with an oath, ont whirled Santa CLAUS
you've scared Santa Claus! you We
scared Santa Claus! vailed the Li''
tlest Boy. in despair.
az have. have y" exclaimed the Big
eest Boy. gathering the waller into MS
arms. =,
And he took my ring" farther Ia
mented the Littlest Boy.
"He did. did he!" repeated the iloii
that is. the biggest Boy-in com,
miserating growl. "Never mind; well
get another"
"put | told him he might. If there's
some other little boy who'd ought 10
nave il more" explained the Littlest
BOY, truthfully. Maybe he'll or'hs
me one next Christmas.
Here the Biggest Boy smut tie
treacherous window; and with the Big
gest Girl, who by this time haa a.
rived and was hugging ana hiss'ne
Dou'p two ROSY feet, as