The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-12-15
:: The Courier S Story Contest x
Seasonabe Fiction written by Pupils Benton County Schools

wen, ne got tnere all right, and lust
as he was entering the toy emporium
someone slapped him on the shoulder
and called out, "Hello, Bert" Then
Hello Bob, come on with me in here
to do some shopping, then home with
me for the holidays"
This was easily arranged, as Bob
made his home with very prim old
aunt who could not see the use in max
ing any difference, at Christmas time,
out Of the usual routine. The only
thing she did of a festive nature was
to hang large holly wreath in each
of the two front windows, so all that
was necessary was for Bob to run in
in passing, get his grip and tell his
aunt where he was going
So they did the shopping, and had
no little merriment over it, as Bert had
forgotten whether the dolls were to be
six or sixteen inches long. He finally
decided On the latter because it seemed
more generous. Presently Bob lifted
up one Of the packages Of artificial
frost and showered it over his friend,
to the amusement of some youngsters
who were there and who Immediately
yelled out, "Oh, see Santa CLAUSE"
Finally they got everything loaded
on the car and started homeward
When they were about half way the
machine swerved to one side and got
almost stuck in very muddy place of
the road. When it at last snorted out
of there the boys knew there was some
thing wrong and on laboriously reach,
ing the higher ground again they began
to Investigate. They soon found the
break, and on looking among the tools
in the box Bert exclaimed, "Of course
I had the good luck to leave that par
ticular wrench on the bench in the
garage! Now what are we going to
dot"
Bob said, 81 see light; let's try
if they have anything there that will
help"
So they set out in the direction of
the Gghl.
CHAPTER III.
A knock
"Why!" thought Winnie, "Who can
that bef' She was curled up half
asleep on . corner of the couch, and
called, "Come in.
The boys opened the door without
more ado. "Hallo, who said 'come
in'i l don't see anyone.
But pretty soon they were attracted
by motion, and after the motion a
pair Of bright eyes, which opened wider
every minute. $50 you came" she
said, keeping her eyes fixed on Bert 8
clothing,
ooh, didn't know 1 was expected.
I would not have been here, either, if
I -hadn t got stuck in hole" Whereat
their hostess began to skip around the
small room and clap her hands.
81 knew it! I knew i'll" But be-
coming suddenly solemn, she said:
"And you got stuck! l thought the
hole looked big enough and turning
to Bob she said, "Did you have to pull
the Prince outf''
The boys went into fits Of laughter,
and then, seeing the ,dismay on the
small face, Bert said, "Come over and
show us your doll.' She handed it to
HIM.
"Why, baby, that's nothing but an
old slipper in that dress. Where's your
dollfo
"Mr. Paul's pup chewed it, so l just
play this is Elizabeth.
"Do you expect Santa to bring you
one tomorrow
81 don't know him. l just know
you, the Prince, you know, with satin
and gold. Sees"
And for the first time Bert noticed
the frost his friend had thrown on him
in the store.
"Oh! see,' he said, Eyes and
then stood gazing into the fire SO long
that, failing to get an answer, his
friend went on out, found the man,
borrowed the needed tool and Ian
tern and went to work on the machine.
After while the Prince reused him
self. He had been thinking, and it took
him longer to get around thing of
this kind than it would have taken a
girl of the same age. But once hav
ing arrived at decision it did not
take him long to act, so he said, ''Ex
cuse me, Princess, will return which
be did, with his arms full of pretty
things.
One goodsized treetop he fastened on
one end of the table with guy ropes Of
string, and as he had often helped
decorate full-sized tree he now stuck
On a number of the pretty shiny orna
ments, along with pieces of cotton to
initiate snow, and shook some of the