The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-10-06

row I'd be forgotten by New Years
day. oh, l know! They think I've no
way of finding out, but I can question
boys and girls In their sleep, and what
they answer then IL bound to be true
Didn't ask boy on the night of the
third Of July who was the greatest
man in the country. and didn't he say
George Washington? Pooh! And
gave that boys great-great-grandfath
or a pair OF skates before George
Washington was ever heard Of"
Santa Claus gave the big red book
vicious kick, and went on: But
shouldn't mind all that II they showed
me common politeness. This book
says that It's very bad form indeed
not to return calls, and here I've cali
ed on millions of boys and girls every
year and not one OF them calls on me.
II there were only one who showed
that he cared sour apple for old
Santa, aside from the things I bring
him, maybe I'd relent, but"
AS soon as the Man Mite heard this
he ran around to the front door and
rang the bell as hard as he could.
Who's there" cried gruff voice
within.
III me, bdiu the Mai NIUE
What do you want?"
want to see Santa, of course" an
swered the Man Mite. 1--WE come all
the way from the middle OF the
United States to see him."
"You don't say" exclaimed the
voice, as the door swung open.
"Oh, it's you, It's you'll" cried the
Man Mite, and jumped right into
Santa Claus arms.
Bless my soul! but you seem glad
to see q fellow!"
"Glad!" exclaimed the Man Mite.
do you suppose there's boy or girl
In all the world who wouldn't be the
very gladdest boy or girl in all the
world II he could be me this minute?"
rs that so?" said Santa Claus.
greatly notified.
'Oh. yes; they'd be just as glad
about 1t as they are sorry about
steam heaters and gas CRATES and
such things. But, oh, Santa, as l
came along l heard there was going
to be strike. don't care so much
about myself, Santa, because I'm go
ing 70 have my tooth pulled for a
Christmas gift, but there's little lame
Dick in our street, Santa, he's got to
have pair Of crutches, and he ought
to have a tricycle., one he could work
with his hands, you know. And the
old coal horse that lives In the alley,
he ought to have q blanket this cold
weather. And Blanche will be awful
ly disappointed II she doesn't get q
doll that can cry, and Freddie has
wanted Life of George Washing.
ton ever since"
Life of George who?" cried Santa.
"Of George Washington, Santa" an
swered the Man Mite. You know.
Santa, all of us little United States
boys like George Washington, and all
Of the little boys of England like
King Alfred, and all Of the little boys
OF France and Germany they like
well, somebody else, guess. But,
Santa. all the boys and girls of all
the countries like you, so you see you
are liked most of all"
BLESS my SOUL" cried Santa, blow
ing his nose very hard. I'm an old
brute, that's what I am. And you're
a nice little boy. Jump into my
sleigh and I'll let you ride with me-"
Santa Claus felt in his outside
pocket. his inside pocket, his upside
pocket and his downside pocket, In
his inside, skinside, topside pocket
and his outside, furside, frontside
pocket. At last he pulled out q shin
ing silver dollar. "Therel" he said,
with great puff, Il thought I'd find
the United States pocket IL kept on
long enough! You see, have to car
~ the coins Of all nations, and I get
them mixed sometimes"
He reached over and pressed the
dollar into the Man Mites hand, and
in doing so he must have touched the
lever or something, for the sleigh
jumped into~the air like live thing.
II circled around and around, like a
homing-pigeon. and then suddenly
shot for somewhere. and almost be-
fore the Man Mite could think, down