The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-15
Was His Own
 Santa Claus He Gave Gifts to Others and Found a Prize
 For Himself By MARIA C. HAWKINS Copyright, 1910. by American Press
 Aro0a:a.;1n
By MARIA G. HAWKINS
Copyright, 1910. by American Press
 Association.

II
 Sherman Bell dropped from the train and then stood watching it make its laborious way through the piling drifts. The wind screamed around the little railroad station and tore at the roof savagely.
 His married sister had recently gone to live in this quaint old village, and she had planned that this first Christ Uas in the country was to be of the genuine old time variety. One of the chief features. of the Christmas eve entertainment was to be tree and the advent of Santa Claus down one of the wide mouthed chimneys, which was to be thoroughly cleaned for the occasion.
 "You are to be the Santa Claus" sne had written to her brother the week before. Frank is entirely too stout to come down the chimney, but an athlete like you should be able to accomplish it without difficulty. We have had the sitting room chimney eleaned-there are four chimneys in this old house, you know-and it is so large that by standing in the hearth one can look up and see the sky overhead. Frank will rig a rope ladder to help you on your downward path, and the fire won't be built till afterward. Now, we want it to be complete surprise to the children, so you might as we'll make the descent as soon as you arrive from the train. Don't forget to take the 6:30. Re member, I shall expect to see your feet coming down the chimney at o'clock sharp. Will leave one of Franks old motor coats on the porch flor 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 be! In his pocket was a 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 be expected. He recognized it at once by the -arched gateway around which a naked wistaria vine rattled 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 leaning against the wan. There was a ladder here, and he look. ed in the porch for his brother-in-law's old fur coat. There was nothing there, and it was evident in the haste of Christmas preparations the coat had been forgotten. Sherman felt ruefully 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 I'll start my descent and let them know I'm com ing. I shall freeze to death out here" As a matter of fact Sherman was very warm and comfortable.
 Sherman Bell flung a 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 ly he was standing inside the chimney on 8 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 led. be there.
 He bent his body and braced his feet on the projecting bricks.
 Hello. Marciam he called In a guard ed whisper.
 A faint scream answered his voice. and the light disappeared for an in- stant 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. everybodyr' roar ed Sherman Bell down the chimney. During the petri6ed silence that fol lowed tue brick that supported one foot gave way and rattled down the chimney. As matter of course MT Bell lost his balance and went down after it. raising a suffocating cloud of lsoot as he fell The pack of toys swung over his head. humping him vigorously all the way down till he stuck tiett in the chimney just before he reached the fireplace below.
 Too sootv and uncomfortable for ut ternnce. MT. Bell maintained dignl fled silence rntil his kinspeople should