Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-01

used in making soup. All around him
were stacks of cakes. Gee, what a
lott" he exclaimed in such a joyful
tone that Santa turned and eyed him.
We'll, Edward Sharp, am glad you
came. l need pocket cutter in my
trousers factory right away; when |
saw the fine ones you cut in your own
trousers l sent for you at once. I am
sorry you made faces at your sister
and have lost faith in me! Yes,
agree with you, Ned, that every boy
should have pockets in his clothes"
Laying down his fork, Santa took
Ned through room after room Of busy
workers until they reached the trouser
factory. Never in his life before had
he seen such an array of little trous-
ers.
There's a pair for every little boy
in the world, isn't there?" he whisper
ed, almost bursting with delight
There was" Santa replied, and led
him UP to smooth block, and placed
a bright new axe in his hand. Ned
took off his hood and began chopping
holes for pockets. Dozens of little
men carried the trousers away in piles
to have the pockets set in, as fast as
Ned had them ready.
Cant | rest little?" he asked, aft
er he had chopped long time.
of you do" said the boss, I'VE won't
get through for Christmas. Be little
more careful--you've cut the pockets
in the knees of the last three pairs"
Just as it began to grow dark the
loc we fnjchnI ond Nod Crnn-
ped his axe and wiped his forehead.
gay yellow dress and laid it down on
the chopping block.
"Who is that for?" Ned asked, but
no one answered. as all were busy fill
ing Santa's orders.
Your sack said Santa, speaking
to a man near him, goes to Mr..
Browns children: give each child two
apples end two doughnuts; a rag doll
for the girl, and trousers all round for
the boys
Ned's eyes and ears were open, as
Mr.. Brown was their next door neigh
Dor
Then his fathers name was called.
Give each Of the Sharp children" said
Santa apples and doughnuts; china
dolls for the girls, for they are very
good children. I'm sorry not to send
the trousers we made for the boy, for
he has been naughty of late-therefore
l must send him the yellow dress in
stead. I'm sorry for Santa's
speech was unfinished, for Ned sprang
forward and was crying out: Don't
MT In tho vn11nuy D1no a
don't" when someone shook him by
the shoulder, and said: Wake up chill
dren; breakfast is ready"
Ned felt queer to find himself at
home as usual. They hurried down to
the warm kitchen. Ned" said his
mother taking the dress from his
hands, II mended your pants last
night, and you can put them on and
wear them. You will never wear
dresses again, my boy" She held up
the trousers with four rough scars
where the holes had been made I'll
sew some pockets in tonight I clean
forgot them"
This might have comforted Ned
somewhat-he did love his mother for
tiff he bad not known that Santa
was going to bring that yellow dress.
At last Christmas Eve arrived and
the children hung up their stockings
and retired early
Towards morning Ned awoke and
raised his little red head and looked
about. The stairway door was open
He crept quietly down stairs and ex-
amined the row of stockings. To his
horror he found little dress hanging
beside them. He took it down and
examined it closely.
yes, sir; it's the one-its yellow.
didn't think he'd be so mean. But I
won't wear it WON'T"
Then he stole quietly out Of the
house to the woodshed and hid the
dress in the ash barrel Then, with a
guilty conscience he sneaked upstairs
to his bed
Early Christmas morning the Sharp
household was astir: all save Ned.
who stayed in bed, seized with the fear
that Santa might have seen him and
restored the yellow dress to its nail
A sudden cry from Hannah brought
him down. ooh. Ned, see the lovely
pants Santa brought YOU: new pair
with three nice pockets"
can there isn't yellow dress
there? So Santa was only fooling.'
Suddenly Little Mamie cried out.
Mother, Santa hasn't brought me a
thing Everything's for Hannah and
Ned,"
ooh. yes. he has Mamie" she said,
searching through the scattered pres
ents. Santa certainly brought you a
new dress. I saw it hanging right
here. Don't cry, dear, we will find it."
y dasn't tell. or they will take my
pants away" Ned thought.
Mammals grief touched him, and he
sneaked out and got the dress he had
put in the ash barrel Opening the
kitchen door, he called Mamie: 81
guess this is your dress Santa
brought" then he ran back to the
shed.
Presently Mr. Sharp found him.
Come and eat your breakfast, sonny;
you needn't be afraid. You can tell us
all about it tomorrow If you want 10,
but today is Christmas day, and we're
all going to be happy"
Presently Ned said to Mamie: Say,
what is the color of your dress?''
| y, 1-,,~