The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-12-27
By MARIA G. HAWKINS

/ so large that by standing In the
hearth one can look up and see the
sky overhead. Frank will rig a rops
ladder to help you on your downward
path, and the fire won't be built till
afterward. Now, we want 1t to be a
complete surprise to the children, so
you might as well make the descent
as soon as you arrive from the train
Don't forget to take the $50. Re-
member, l shall expect to see your
feet coming down the chimney at 3
o'clock sharp. Will leave one Of
Franks old motor coats on the porch
for you to wear
Sherman chuckled delightedly as he
made his way down the hill. How the
youngsters would shout when they saw
the Santa Claus he meant to bel In
his pocket was merry faced mask
with snowy hair and beard attached,
and in the suit case he carried was a
small pack stuffed with little toys and
odds and ends he had gathered. His
larger gifts he had sent on by express
the day before to be placed on the tree.
He came upon the house sooner than
he expected. He recognized 1t at once
by the arched gateway around which
q naked wistaria vine ratified In the
| wind.
The windows showed mellow glow
of light as he softly entered the gate
and proceeded up the snowy path to-
ward the low house. He turned to the
right and passed around to the ell
where Marcia had said there would be
a ladder lea ing against the wall.
There was q ladder here, and he look
ed In the porch for his brother-in-la WIS
old fur coat. There was nothing there,
and 1t was evident In the haste of
Christmas preparations the coat had
been forgotten. Sherman felt ruefuIly
OF his own fur coat and then with a
shrug of the shoulders opened the suit
case and adjusted his pack and In the
shelter of the porch put on the mask
and placed his fur cap on the snowy
hair.
They haven't come into the sitting
room yet Well, guess III start my
descent and let them know Pm com
ing. shall freeze to death out here
AS matter of fact Sherman was very
warm anG comfortable.
Sherman Bell flung leg into the
mouth of the chimney and felt about
for the rope ladder that was to be In
side. His foot touched small firm
| foundation and rested there. Present
| ~ he was standing inside the chimney
on narrow ledge of bricks that pro-
| jected there. As he looked downward
at the black pit beneath there was the
sound of an opening door, and then a
light illumined the hearth where a
neat fire of logs was laid ready to be
kindled.
Nowhere could he see the rope lad
der that his sister had promised should
be there
He bent bis body and braced his feet
on the projecting bricks.
Hello, Marcia" he called In a guard
ed whisper
/ A faint scream answered his voice,
and the light disappeared for an in
slant to be followed by a stronger one
and the tramp of many feet and the
sound of many voices raised in laugh
ter, alarm or speculation.
Merry Christmas, everybody roar
ed Sherman Bell down the chimney.
During the petrifed silence that fol-
lowed the brick that supported one
foot gave way and ratified down the
chimney. As q matter of course Mr..
Bell lost his balance and went down
after 1t, raising suffocating cloud Of
SCOT as he fell The pack Of toys
swung over his head, humping him
vigorously all the way down till he
stuck tight in the chimney just before
he reached the fireplace below
Too sooty and uncomfortable for ut
terance, Mr.. Bell maintained a digni-
fed silence until his kinspeople should
see fit to extrfcate him from his I'M
comfortable position.
what do you suppose it isT' he
heard feminine voice inquiring tim
idly.
1T my dear GIRL" scoffed an iras-
cible old gentleman whose tones Bell
did not recognize There Is not the
slightest doubt 1t is a mana burglar,
/ should Judge"
"a burglar in crimson silk socks?
Bell hated the youth who jeered thus
at him and kicked frantically for free
dom. '.It'a Santa Claus, Of course
Isn't it Christmas ever"
Then a girls voice spoke-the low.
est, softest contralto tones Bell had
ever heard; he almost loved her for
the sweetness Of her voice.
Friend or foe, Santa Claus or bur
glar, all are welcome here tonight
aren't they, dad?'
Certainly, Ever The old mans
voice softened wonderfully as he
spoke to the girl.
"Then our friend must be released
You can fancy how uncomfortable he
must feel. Henry, can't you help him
DOWN."
A strong hand clutched Sherman
Bells ankles and gave the necessary
impetus to his further descent
merry Christmas, everybody said
Sherman feebly from behind his 10
vial mask
Merry Christmas yourselfr' rejoin
ed strange old gentleman, and as
the fictitious Santa looked dazedly
around he saw that he was among
perfect strangers who suddenly wen
off into a gale of laughter at his ap
pearance.
He recovered himself quickly, how
ever, and emerged from his sooty con
dition with a little shake Of his fuI
coat and an adjustment of his black
ened mask and beard.
The old gentleman and the girl called
Eve stood together, and he bowed low
before them. Santa Claus, at you
service" he said in his pleasant voice
I'm afraid I've made mistake.
was due to get down Mr.. Frank Adams
chimney at this time, and ] was sur,
had the right house."
Across the street, sir" explained
the old gen .eman gravely. yet with
merry twinkle In his eyes. SAINTS