Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-12-13
.TheChirnney'
WasStopped
And Santa Claus Came In
at the Door

Copyright by American Pres Assc-
citation. 1871

IL was the AFTERNOON uefore Shftst-
mas day. 8 o'clock In the afternoon and
20 near Christmas eve as to be appali-
Ing to Joe Tookcr. before whom was
the prospect OF spending Christmas
alone. Joe occupied rooms In a tene-
ment buiid.ng. and next door on the
same door lived a widow with three
children. the Oldest being a very pretty
girl OF nineteen. Joe had caught sew
eral giimpses OF the girl and many an
evening when In his room alone had
wished tfat be might 20 In next door
and sit with the family. but he had no
one to Introduce him. The partition
that separated him from their apart
ments was thin. and now and again
when the family were IN the room nd
Joining his be could catch bits of their
dialogue.
He Judged from the~e that they were
people who had seen better days. Their
speech was mcdulated after the man
ner OF web bred people The mother
was at times fretful. as was TO lie ex-
pected OF one growing old and battling
with adversely at the same time. Joe
would hear some complaint from the
mother. always 10 be followed by
comforting word from the daughter.
and In n very sweet voice. Then one
OF the children would be disgrunued.
to be soothed by the sister.
THAT girl is an angel" said Joe to
himself.
As was saying. 1t was about an
hour before Christmas eve when Joe
entered his lonely room and sat down
to read an evening paper before going
out to get his dinner at a restaurant
His folks lived too far away for him
to 60 to them for Christmas or for them
to come to bin. He knew few people
In the place ard none 40 intimately Is
to secure an Invitation for even a
Christmas dinner. The consequence
was that be dreaded Christmas eve and
Christmas day and Christmas night
He wished he could go to sleep and re-
main asleep until the morning after
Christmas. While he was thinking Of
his lonely hot he heard a voice on the
other side Of the partition. the voice a
a complaining child
why can't we have a turkey tomor-
row. mamma o.
Turkeys are very expensive this
season. desrie We can't afford one
We're going 10 have a nice hamburger
steak instead Yon know how fond
you are Of that
Il don't want hamburger steak on
Christmas. want turkey. We're not
going to have any Christmas at all this
year Jennie says we mustn't expect
any toys. even In our stockings. for
Santa Clans has sent a note that he Is
going to pass u over. I'm going to
hang up my stocking anyway. and IL
he doesn't put anything In IL I'll write
him letter telling him how mean
think be is
80 will t. came another little voSce.
Then the speakers went iAto another
room
An Idea popped Into Joe Tookers
head 1t was the biggest. most oris3-
nal. most daring idea that ~ modeuf
fellow had ever conceived He sat.
stunned by II. Tor some time. revolving
In bis mind various features concern
ing II: then. suddenly setting up from
bis chair. he hustled % his overcoat
and hat. rushed ont. slammed thu door
behind him and ran Downstairs two
steps at ZINE.
The first pace Joe stopp&d at Vas q
meat market. where be bosght q tur-
KEY and celery and cranbsrrfes and
oysters for the dressing and Other
things good 10 eat Then b. went 70
toy shop and gathered in such tribes
a. children prize. He dare NOT trust
to having them sent home. the hour
being late, aud took everything be
bought with him. But hs was big and
strong and could have carried three
times az mreh. Lastly. he looked in Q
directory TO- the address of costuper
and finally found one. Going to tibs
place. he tod the proprietor to ft him
out at once n Santa Claus.
Returning to his room, be deposited
his purchases and went out again to
get his dinner. About 8 O'Clock hs
went back. taking more toys and two
bouquets Of dowers with him and
spent the evening arranging for put
ting this wonderful idea Of bis into
practice. He had heard st various
times enough through TIE partition T.
know the names of those on the other
side. SO he marked the toys. some
BILLY" and some Lucy" On one Of
the bouquets he tied card on which
he wrote. ITO Mamma From Santa
CLAUS" and on the other. ITO Jennie
From Santa Claus"
That wasn't lonely Christmas eve
for Joe Tooker At all. though be was
alone. He was fixing up the gifts and
trying on his Santa Claus suit all the
while. But 1t must be admitted that
every now and again he caught his
breath at what he considered the dar
ing deed be was about to perform.
Then he would brace up and say. mon