The Delta independent., 1909-12-17

It's almost empty. isn't it," assert
ed the Littlest Boy. But l 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, l was kinder foolin' around
when you come in confessed Santa
Claus; but l 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
tlest Boy. hurriedly. Did you bring
me red wagon and a silver napkin
ring?"
Aren't they there?" queried Santa
Claus.
May I look?" asked the Littlest
Boy. eagerly.
Sure" grunted Santa Claus, with
his favorite word.
The Littlest Boy was not slow in
taking advantage of that permission.
In twinkling he was at the chair,
and, oblivious 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 against the
chairs back,
"Oooo-ee!" jubilated the Littlest
Boy, turning with sparkling eyes.
will its sides fold over?"
You bet!" assured Santa Claus.
Just bushels and bushels of thanks.
Santa Claus" purled the Littlest Boy.
rapturously. Il hope it's bigger than
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, rummaging.
'Mebbe it's in the stockin's." sug
gested Santa Claus.
And it was,-a beautiful, shiny, sill
yer napkin ring. all done up in tissue
paper,
"Oooooo-eee!" gurgled the Littlest
Boy. unwrapped 1t. Il bet it's the
very solides' kind"
"Lemme see," demanded Santa
Claus. That's what intended It to
be. anyhow, an hope l 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 a kid like
you?"
Il don't know" responded the Lit
hac tvtA 20 -.
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 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 1t som'ers else"
We'll" agreed the Littlest Boy.
gravely, tiff you can find some lit
tie boy who ought to have It
more'n me, then you can-can take
It; and p'raps next Christmas"
Cod" roared the Biggest Boy, like
an angry lion. leaping through the II.
brary doorway.
With a slam up sped the window:
with an oath. out whirled Santa Claus.
You've scared Santa Claus! You've
scared Santa Claus!" walled the Lit
tlest Boy. in despair.
81 have, have T." exclaimed the Big
gest Boy, gathering the waller into his
arms.
"And he took 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; we'll
get another"
But told him he might, II 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
rived and was hugging and kissing
the Littlest Boys two rosy feet. as
they hung down inside the Biggest
Boys arms. close accompanying, car
ried him upstairs to bed.
What do you think! Evidently Santa
Claus repented, or else he had only
been joking. or else he could find no
other little boy who was more worthy:
for, after all, at daylight there was
discovered, lying on the mat before
the side-door. that very same ring
wrapped. It is true. not in fine tissue
paper. but In coarse brown paper.
However, upon the paper was
scrawled. in ragged but unmistakable
lines.