Putnam patriot., 1911-01-13
By MARIA G. HAWKINS


Copyright lsla by American Press III
Association. iii
Sherman Bell dropped from the train
and then stood watching 1t 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 q 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-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 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 $50. Re
member. | shall expect to see your
feet coming down the chimney at 8
Franks old motor coats on the porch
for you to wear"
Sherman chuekled 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 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
he expected. He recognized 1t at once
by the arched gateway around which
Q naked wistaria vine ratified In the
wind
The windows showed q 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
. ladder leaning against the wall
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.
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 of the porch put on the mask
and placed his fur cap on the snowy
hair
room yet Well, l guess I'll start my
descent and let them know I'm COM
ing. | 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-
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 c1s
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 petrified silence that fol
lowed the brick that supported ore
foot gave way and ratified down the
chimney. As a matter of course Mr..
Bell lost his balance and went down
after IL. 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 tight in the chimney just before
me reached the fireplace below.
Too sooty and uncomfortable for ut
terance. Mr.. Bell maintained digni-
fied silence until his kinspeople should
see dit to exfricate him from bis I'M
comfortable position
.whaf do you suppose IT Isl" be
heard feminine voice inquiring tim
] Idly
.It,' my dear GIRL" scoffed an iras-
edible old gentleman whose tones Bell
did not recognize. There is not the
&sIixhfesf doubt 1t II q mana burglar.
20 should judge"
"A burglar in crimson silk socksr
zlBell hated the youth who jeered thus
at him and kicked frantically for free.