Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-01-20
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND MORNING. JANUARY
Was His Own
Santa Claus
He Gave Gifts to Others
and Found a Prize
\ For Himself
BY MARIA G: HAWKINS
Copyright. 1910, by American Press
Association.

iii Va AAAAA0SAA iii
BY MARIA G. HAWKINS II
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
iii Association. iii
lk====-=
sherman Bell dropped from the train
and then stood watching It mako It's
laborious way through tho piling
drifts. The wind screamed around tho
little railroad station and tore Al the
roof sagaaely
IN mssslsd 80 ssssa,.s snt<
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 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
o'clock sharp. VIII leave one ~
Franks old motor coats on the porch
for you to wear"
Sherman chuckled delightedly as he
made his way down the hill How the
youngsters would shout when they saw
the Santa Claus he meant to bel 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 no 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 thar
he expected. He recognized It at once
by the arched gateway around which
a naked wistaria vine ratified in the
wind.
The windows showed mellow glow
OF light as he softly entered the gate
and proceeded up the snowy path 90
ward the low house He turned to the
right and passed around to the ell
here Marcia had said there would be
ladder leaning against the wall.
here was ladder here, and he look
1 In the porch for his brother-in laws
4 ID fur coat. There was nothing there,
nd It was evident in the haste Of
hifstmas preparations the coat had
cen forgotten. Sherman felt ruefully
I his own fur coat and then with
hrug Of the shoulders opened the suit
Rse and adjusted his pack and In tho
heller of the porch put on the mask
nd placed his fur cap on the snowy
air.
They haven't come into the sitting
Dom yet. Well, | guess I'll start my
escent and let them know I'm com
ng. shall freeze to death out here"
~ matter Of fact Sherman was very
YARN and comfortable
Sherman Bell flung log into the
mouth Of the chimney and felt about
or the rope ladder that was to be In
lide. His foot touched a small firm
oundatlon and rested there. Present.
y he was standing inside the chimney
IN narrow ledge OF bricks that pro
ected there. As he looked downward
I the black pit beneath there was the
ound OF an opening door and then a
light illumined the hearth where
Ieat fire Of logs was laid ready to be
,lndled.
Z Nowhere could he Zee the rope lad
er that his sister had promised should
% there
He bent his body and braced his feet
N the projecting bricks.
Hello, Marciaw he called In guard
d whisper.
A faint scream answered his voice,
md the light disappeared for an In
ltant to be followed by a stronger one
md the tramp OF many feet and the
Ound Of many voices raised In laugh
or. alarm or speculation.
Merry Christmas. everybody roar
d Sherman Bell down the chimney.
During the petriled silence that fol.
owed the brick that supported one
DOT gave way and ratified down tb
Kinney. Az matter Of course Mr..
Sell lost his balance and went down
fter It, raising a suffocating cloud OF
DOT az he fell. The pack Of TOYS
wung over his head, humping him
igorously all the way down TIL he
tuck tight In the chimney Just before
Q reached the fireplace below.
Too sooty and uncomfortable for ut.
erance, Mr.. Bell maintained a diRni.
ed silence until his kinspeople should
ee ut to extricate him from his up.
omfOrtable position.
what do you suppose IL LAP, ha
Ieard feminine voice inquirinR tim.
dly.
Ut my dear girl" scofred an irns.
eible old gentleman whose tones Rel
lid not recognize. There IL not the
slightest doubt It Is mana burglar
7 should Judge"
nj, burglar In crimson silk so6NSY
ne,l nnted the youth who jeered thus
NJ MIN and kicked franticalIy Tor sraa