The Falls City tribune., 1909-12-17

laugh. Yes. I clumb down the chin.
hley.s he said.
You say 'chimbley' and | say chin
ley. but my father says-says CHI
eh-ehimneley 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 deity
sliding Ii up.
Please don't go Santa Claus" be-
sought the Littlest Boy. Wen talk
real low. so nobodyIl hear. That is,
II you're not in too big a hurry to
stay" he added, politely.
Sure" responded Santa Claus.
Its 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
TEST Boy. hurriedly. Did you bring
me a 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
his fayorite word.
The Littlest Boy was not slow in
taking advantage of that permission.
In a twinkllng he was at the chair,
and. obliYious to the rastling that he
was producing. was burrowing amidst
its contests.
He did not have to burrow to find
the red wagon. It's two front wheels
were sticking straight up against the
chairs back
"Oooo-eei" iubilated the Littlest
Boy, turning with sparkling eyes.
"Will its sides fold over?"
ioh btis Spuith santa 1lduS.
Just bushels and bushels of thanks,
Santa Claus" puzzled the Littlest Boy,
rapturously. Il hope it's bigger than
my Cousin James is! Is it,"
"sure'e 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 1t wasi-a beautiful. shiny, sill
yer napkin ring, all lone up in tissue.
paper,
"o%ooooo.eee!" gurgled the Littlest
Boy, u%nwrapped 1t. Il bet It's the
very solides' kind"
"Lemme see.' demanded Santa
Claus. That's what | intended it to
be, anyhow. an | hope | amt made
no mistake
Yes. lis solid. all right enough he
said, weighing IL 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 a kid like
your"
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
I'll take this an give II som'ers else"
We'll" agreed the Littlest Boy,
gravely, tiff you can find some lit
tie boy who ought % have IL
more'n me. then you can-can take
it: and p'raps next Christmas"
Cod" roared the Biggest Boy. like
N angry lion, leaping through the IL
brary doorway.
With a slam up sped the window;
with IN oath, out whirled Santa Claus.
You've scared Santa Claus! You've
scared Santa Claus," walled the Lit
TEST Boy. in despair.
Il have, have l." exclaimed the Big
gest Boy. gathering the waller into his
arms.
"And he tool my ring farther la
mented the Littlest Boy.
He did, did he!' repeated the lion
that is. the Biggest Boy-in a com
%miserating growl. Never mind; wen
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