The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1911-12-15
q The Courier's Story Contest q
Seasonabe Fiction Written by Pupils in Benton County Schools


heard the jingle of sleigh bells. Wax
ing Teddy, he ran to the window.
Outside, the moonlight shining on the
new-fallen snow made everything as
plain as day. Notwithstanding this,
the boys had to rub their eyes hard
to chase the sand man away and still
thought they were playing tricks. For
right out on the lawn, though you
would scarcely believe it yourself
was
"A miniature sleigh and eight tiny
reindeer,
With little old driver so lively and
quick,
They knew in moment it must be
Saint Nick
The boys eyes were nearly popping
out of their heads; but if you think
they were surprised then, how do you
suppose they telt when they heard on
the roof the prancing and paving of
each little hoof!"
Then as they drew in their heads
and were turning around,
Down the chimney Saint Nicholas
came WIN a. DOuuQ.
The boys had never seen him be-
fore, and of course, did not know
what he looked like.
HE was dressed all in furs from his
head to his foot,
And his clothes were all furnished
with ashes and SCOT;
A bundle of toys was flung on his
back,
And he looked like pedd.er just
opening his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled! HRS
! dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses. his nose
/ like cherry"
"He was chubby and plump, a right
jolly old elf;
And l laughed when / saw him In
spite of myself.
| A wink of his eye, and twist of his
| head,
Soon gave me to know had nothing
| to dread"
| The boys soon Overcame their fear
but their curiosity got the better Of
them. Approaching the fireplace eau
tiously, where old Santa was busy
filling the stockings, they asked.
l. Are you Santa Clause?"
You see, they wanted to be sure
before they did anything rash.
"Eh?," said Sanity. giving them a
queer look. ITO be sure I'm Santa
Claus!'
The boys took sly peep into their
stockings. They contained the very
toys they had asked for in their let
ter to their father!
Eyes, / knew that was what you
wanted" observed Saint Nicholas.
"How did you know" they asked.
"My dear boys, l know every boy
and girl in the world and just what
they want for Christmas"
The twins were too astonished to
speak for moment.
Then Teddy, gazing the width OF
asked
How did you get down that chin
jney?"
ooh, l just turned into little
chimney swallow and flew down.
Little boys shouldn't ask so many
questions-they should be seen and
not heard. " Old Santa's eyes twink
led more than ever.
I When the boys had digested that,
/ they asked another question (arnt
boys the most inquisitive creatures.
tanyway?)
| "How did you get the sleigh up on
the roof"
1t was getting too hot for Kriss
Kringle.
ooh, they got up there somehow"
he laughed. But l must be going. j
have two billions seven hundred
twenty-five million. eighty three thou
sand nine hundred and ninety-nine
chimneys togo down before day.
light"
So saying, he made his departure
up the chimney before the astonished
boys could say ward.
t"He sprang to his sleigh, to his team
gave whistle,
down of thistle;
But l heard him exclaim, ere he
l.. drove out of signt,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a
good night"
Well, sir, you could have knocked
Tommy and Teddy Weinberg down
with feather just about that time.
When they had partially recovered
| their senses they looked at their
stockings to make sure the toys were
still there, then they peered up the
chimney, as if expecting to see old
Saint Nicholas sliding down it. Then
they rushed to the window and caught
a glimpse of him whirling down the
road and heard the faint chime of the
sleigh bells.
Tommy turned wonderingly tn
Teddy and said. "Am l awaken"
Teddy pinched him, whereupon he
let out such yell as to assure his
brother that he was fully awake, and
to fear lest he arouse the household
! well, guess that was old Saint
Nick all right" observed Teddy. but
l can't yet understand how he got
down that chimney"
It'll take his word for it and be-
lieve he flew down." said Tommy
The boys always remembered that
Christmas night when Kriss Kringle
came down the chimney of their fire