The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1910-12-21


Billy had never been very kindly
treated, and as he had soft heart
himself he some times felt 1t very
much
Now, one Christmas time, being
left alone as usual, with no presents
OF any sort and no treat he began
TO think of all the stories he had
been told about the White children's
Christmas and determined then and
there to find out what it was really
like. He had heard of the Christ
mas hills in country many miles
off and planned to go there, beliey-
ing from their name that these
must contain all the mysteries of
Santa Clase and other joys from
which he had always been isolated.
With loving farewell to his own
mia mia--the little shelter of bran
ches which he had built for him
self against the thunderstorms-
set off with only a piece of oppos-
sum skin hung around his waist for
clothing and boomerang in his hand.
Billy journeyed for many hours
over paddocks and wire fences, wad-
ing bravely through creeks, water
holes and branken underground,
where the snakes were very numer-
Gus and poisonous, till he found
himself in a beautiful valley be-
tween blue and purple noun
tain. Approaching a vineyard he
asked an old gardener where the
Christmas hills lay
"Yonder,' said the man, pointing
straight in front of them toward
the blue mountain. This is Yarra
glen"
The little black boy was very hot
and thirsty, for the sun had been
beating freely upon him all the way
along, SO he begged few oe the
round juicy grapes which hang in
profusion on the vines.
"By all MEANS" said the good ma
tured gardener, as he picked him
the largest bunch he could find, ripe
and inviting, with the bloom upon
them. Billy thanked him, saying he
hoped some time to be able to re-
turn his kindness, and, taking the
fruit he continued his way with
light heart.
AS he climbed and climbed, ris-
ing higher and higher, the glen
grew smaller and smaller below him
H1 A. -
any more. Soon the hill became so
steep and slippery that he was for
ced to draw himself up from three to
tree holding first on to one branch
wattles rose high above him i'm
monotous granduer till he began to
wonder where the Christmas trees
and stockings were and how they
grew. Feeling thirsty again, he was
putting some more grapes into his
mouth, when suddenly he perceived
a poor old woman lyon on the
ground looking very faint and i'll.
Give me some, kind youth" she
gasped. 81 have been sunstruck."
But | have travelled many miles
on foot and am parched with thirst"
said Billy.
I'm dying" groaned the other
feebly "flaIe pity"
Whereupon. moved to sympathy,
he gave her all he had left.
To his astonishment as she was
eating them she turned into love
ly fairy queen all dressed in soft.
shimmery blue the color Of the
sky
CAS- YOU have done me n service"
she said "I mean to reward YOU in
the way you most want. You shall
have n real Australiau Chrstmas."
Billy was ovcrjoyed and at her
Bidding followed her through the
bush till they reached q wonderful
garden. GlIcd with brilliant nownrs
and fruit Witch surpassed his wild
masses all along the borders, and
the trees were laden with luscious
ripe peaches, nectarincs figs and ev-
cry other southern fruit he had ever
thought or heard of in or out of sea
son.
Here they entered and the blue
fairy summoned ten other little fair
les just Billy's own size and age 20
wait upon and entertain him. They
were all I'm different colors, so that