Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-12-30

sherman Bell dropped from the train
ami then stood watching it make its
la5erious way through the piling
dril,s Ihe wind screamed around the
little railroad station and tore at the
roof savagely.
Ills married sister had recently gone
% iive in this quaint Old village. and
Ae had planned that this first Chris
mas in the country was to be of .
genuine old time variety One Of the
chief features Of the Christmas eve
entertainment was to be a tree and
the advent Of sauta Claus down one
Of thelwlde mouthed chimneys. which
was to be thoroughly cleaned for the
occasion.
you are to be the Santa Claus"
she bad 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
cleaned-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 viii rig a rope
ladder to help you on your downward
path, and the FIRE won't be built till
afterward. Now, we want II to be
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 G;30. Re
member. l shall expect to see your
feet coming down the chimney at s
O'Clock sharp. VIII leave one Of
Franks old motor coats on the porch
for you to wear
Sherman ehuckled dellghtedly as he
made bis way down the hill. How the
youngsters would shout when they saw
the Santa Claus he meant to bel ]
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
lie expected. He recognized It at once
by the arcked gateway around which
naked wistaria vine ratified in the
wind.
The windows showed d 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
whore Marcia had said there would be
a ladder leaning against the wall.
There was u ladder here, and he look
ed in the porch for his brother-in-law's
old fur coal. There was nothing there,
and it wns evident in the haste OF
Christmas preparations the coat had
been forgotten. Sherman felt ruefully
Of his own fur coat and then with
shrug Of the shoulders opened the suit
case and adjusted his pack and in the
shelter { The porch put on the mask
and rac 8 lis fur cap ON the snowy
hai-
"Ihey haven't come into the sitting
rr yet, Well, guess I'll start my
,'.ca ent and let them know I'm COM
ii;, 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 a small firm
foundation and rested there. Present.
ly he was standing inside the chimney
on a narrow ledge of bricks that pro
iected 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 his 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 a matter of course Mr..
Bel lost his balance and went down
after 1t. raising a 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 ticht in the chimney Just before
he reached the fireplace below.
Too sooty and uncomfortable for ut
terance. Mr. Bell maintained dicnI-
fed silence until his kinspeople should
see fit to extricate him from his un-
comfortable position.
what do you suppose It Isl" he
heard feminine voice inquiring tim
idly
"'It' my der girl" scoffed an iras-
chile old gentleman whose tones Bel
did not recognize. There Is not the
slightest doubt It IS a mana burglar
should Judge"
"A t-re'nr IN crimson SILK 50 ksY"
nell hniad the youth who jnered thu
At him and kicked frantically for II ee-
"