Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-09

SuSEuldu Dell uIOPpeu II OIh INC II o!h
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
mas 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 a 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"
she 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
cleaned-thcre 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 q rope
ladder to help you on your downward
path. and the fire won't he built till
afterward. Now, we want it 10 be a
complete surprise to the children. so
you might as we'll make the descent
rs soon as you arrive from the train.
Don't forget to take the $50. Re
member | shall expect TO see your
feet coming down the chimney 81
o'clock sharp. VIII leave one OF
Franks old motor coats on the porch
for you to wear"
Sherman chuckled delightedly IS 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 Il
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 it at once
by the arched gateway around which
a naked wistaria vine ratified in the
wind
The windows showed a 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 Ind passed around to the ell
where Marcia had said there would be
a ladder leaning against the wall
There was a ladder here, and he look
ed in the porch for his brotherin-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 q
shrug of the shoulders opened the suit
case al / 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. 1 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
~ 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
light illumined the hearth where
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..
Bell lost his balance and went down