The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-01-11
MISS SANTA
CLAUS
By Geraldine May Hall

hnish to her Christmas promises to
Little Turtle school.
He never comes this way, teacher"
piped UP Batty Briggs, the youngest
hope of the Shaky O. outfit We're
too far from the main line, Pop says.
ard travels bad in winter time"
We'll, he'll come this year. Batty."
Paula's gray eyes snapped with some.
thing more than resolution. She
looked down at the meager school,
only nine children culled from far
scattered ranches in the Little Turtle
valley. Some Of them rode miles on
ponies to reach the log house. some Of
them had to ford the river three miles
away. and still. day after day, through
the long golden fall. and early winter
with its singing frost and wild winds,
the faithful nine had arrived, right
SIDE up. so to speak. at the school
house. with composite smile for
teacher"
There had never been Christmas
celebration at the Little Turtle
school. Indeed. there had been pre-.
cious little school there except at ftful
intervals when new teacher would
appear and try to wrestle with the
problems of the position.
Paula Holmes from Omaha had held
out better than any of the others. She
was little and gray eyed and set in
her ways" as old Pop Briggs said.
She boarded at the Shaky O.. SO Pop
had plenty Of opportunity to notice
those ways. So had other members
Of the Briggs family. especially the
eldest. And after nearly four months
of counting. Don Briggs had stumbled
into the holidays without ray Of hope
or good cheer 80 far as Paula was con.
cerned. She would not speak to him.
He could not ride to school with her.
The notes that Batty surreptitiously
left on her desk we're burned unread
where Batty might see their fate, and
bear the news home to the sender.
The quarrel had risen out Of the
Christmas celebration for the children.
Paula said she would give one. and In.
vite everybody in the valley.
"You won't get me there II the
Crossbens come" Don had said fatty.
with all the arrogance Of twenty-five.
Il don't run with any sheep steerers.
Checkers Crossben drove HE old lot
Of stonebacks up over our range last
summer, and left 1t bare % Moses
curse Of grasshoppers. got one good
shot at him"
you what. Don Briggs!" gaspcd
Paula, Mortified.
Got . good shot at him. and left 4
hole in his hat, too. Caught him up
around our water hole. and III bet he
had something hot to dope It up with.
too"
WELL" said Teacher" decidedly.
I'm glad I found out what sort Of q
person you are In time, M. Brgss."
In time for WHAT" Don laughed
down 1t her. HE blue eyes dancing
with fun at having caught her. you
know you like me. Paula. Anyhow,
you said you did-once."
"Never mind that. now" Paula
pushed back her curls that would
come straying down in . way insult.
Cd to a staid schoolma'am. Il want
to understand this situation clearly.
Mr.. Briggs. You will not come to be
Santa Claus II l invite the Cross.
bens!"
mo, ma'am." Don replied. firmly.
And you'll find you can't have a
celebration either. because half the
valley won't speak to the other half
now over the trouble with the sheep
and cattle using the same water
holes and range. II you get us all up
there. therell be shooting up time.
Pop will start II with old Sam Cross
bens, and I'll finish It up with Check
ers."
"You needn't speak to me again.
Mr.. Briggs" said Paula. coldly. Il
don't like to associate with such per.
sons as you"
I'm glad l got well acquainted with
you first" smiled Don again. "Oh.
we've met. and we've loved, and we've
parted. all on account Of Checkers"
Il think you're"
Don't say 1t. Paula, dear. This will
blow over"
But Paula had walked away with
out answering. and had kept her word.
She would not speak to Don again.
and she fatty would hold the Christ
mas celebration and invite all the val
ley ranchers. whether cattle or sheep.
But she had her warning from the
children themselves. The mothers
might come, and some of the big sis
ters, and old men, but the two fac.
tons had decided on a raid. Each be-
lieved the other would 60 to the
schoolhouse, and each intended to
break up the party. and chase the
other faction into cover.
Paula heard the plans with close
mouth and eyes that showed no fear
Don't you care what the boys say.
children. You come here Christmas
eve, and we'll have tree, and pres.
ents, and a Santa Claus.
Christmas eve the teams began to