Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-12-23
Sepherdown Jefferson County, Virginia. Thursday December o. 1909

woman opened il.
Here's the tree '' said the boy in a
loud whisper. SIS Bills door shut ?"
Mr.. Carter stepped forward out of the
darkness.
81 beg your pardon, madam" he said.
81 met this young man on the street, and
he asked me to come here and see a play
mate of his who is, | understand, an in
valid. But if am intruding-"
"Come in" said the woman, heartily,
throwing the door open. "Bill will be
glad to see you, sir"
The philanthropist stepped inside.
The room was decently furnished and
clean. There was sewing-machine in
the corner, and in both windows hung
wreatheS ofholly. Between the windows
was cleared space, where evidently the
tree, when decorated, was to stand.
care all the things here 2" eagerly de-
manded the bearer.
They're all here, Jimmy" answered
Mrs. Bailey. "The candy just came"
"Say," cried the boy, pulling of his
red flannel mittens to blow on his fingers,
won't il be great? But now Bills got
to see Santa Claus. I'll just go in and
tell him; an then, when holler, mister,
you come on, and pretend you're Santa
Claus" And with incredible CELEBRITY, the
boy opened door at the other end OF the
room and disappeared.
Madam" said Mr.. Carter, in conSid-
cradle embarrassment, 81 must say one
word. am Mr.. Carter, Mr.. Allen Carter.
You may have heard my name ?"
She shook her head. "No, sir.
al live not far from here on the avenue.
Three weeks ago lost a little dog that
that valued very much. have had all
the city searched since then in vain. To-
day met the boy who has just left us.
He informed ME that three weeks ago he
found a dog, which is at present in the
possession of your son. wonder-iS il
not just possible that this dog may be
mine ?"
Mrs. Bailey smiled. 81 guess not, Mr..
Carter, The dog Jimmy found hadn't
come off the avenue-not from the look
OF him. You know there's hundreds and
hundreds Of dogs without homes, sir.
But will say for this one, he has a kind
of way with him"
clark - said Mr.. Carter.
There was a ruStIing and a snuffling al
the door at the far end Of the room, a
quick scratching OF feet. Then:
"Woof wool WOOL" sharp and clear
came happy, impatient little barks. The
philanthropist's eyes frightened. YES
he said, "that is the dog"
"a doubt if it can be, sir" said Mrs
Bailey, deprecatingly.
"Open the door, please" commanded
the philanthropist, land LET us see. "
Mrs. Bailey complied. There was a
quick jump, a tumbling rush. and Skid
dies, the lost Skiddles, was in the phil
anthropiSt's arms. Mrs. Bailey shut the
door with troubled face.
81 see it's your dog, sir" she said,
"But hope you won't be thinking that
Jimmy or l."
Madam" interrupted Mr.. Carter, 81
could not be so foolish On the contrary,
owe you a thousand thanks"
Mrs. Bailey looked more cheerful.
"Poor little BillYW she said. eth come
hard on him, losing Pete just at Christmas
time. But the boys are so good to him,
| dare say he'll forget it,"
"Who are these boys ?" inquired the
phiIanthropist. "Isn'ttheir action-some-
what unusual ?"
ats Miss Gray's club at the settle
ment, sir" explained Mrs. Bailey. "Ev-
ery Christmas they do this for somebody
IFS not charity; Billy and don't need
charity. or take it. It's just friendliness
They're good boys"
81 see" said the philanthropist. he
was still wondering about il, though, when
the door opened again, and Jimmy thrus'
out a face shining with anticipation.
"All ready, mister!" he said. "BIlPs
watln' for you'll"
Jimmy" began Mrs. Bailey, about &c
explain. "the gentleman"
But the philanthropist held up his hand
interruptiug her. "You will let me see
your son, Mrs. Bailey p" he asked gently
"Why, certainly, sir"
Mr.. Carter put Skiddles down anc
walked slowly into the inner room. The
bed stood with its side toward him. Or
it lay a small boy Of seven, rigid OF body
but with his arms free and his face lighted
with Joy.
"Hello. Santa Clausl" he piped, in
voice shrill with excitement.
"Hello, BIlp answered the philanthro,
pist, sedately.
The boy turned his eyes on Jimmy.
"He knows my name !" he said witt
glee. =.
"He knows eveybody's name" sale
Jimmy.
"Now tell him what you want, Bill, and
he'll bring II tomorrow"
Glow would you like" said the phil
anthropist, refectveIy, "an-an" he
hesitated, # seemed so incongruous witt
that stiff figure on the bed IAN aif-ginT
81 guess yes" said Bill, happily.
"And train OF cars" broke in the i'm
patient Jimmy, "that goes like sixty
when you wind her2"
"HiI' said Bill.
The philanthropist solemnly made
note OF this.
GLOW about tree?" he remarked, en-
quiringlY.
"Honest2" said Bill.
81 think If can be managed" said San