The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1912-12-20
CAPTURING SANTA.

1t was the night before Christmas
and all through the house, not sound
could be heard, not even a mouse.
Willie and Annie had been safely
tucked in their trundle bed by Moth
err, Just short time previous, and she
thinking they we're slumbering
soundly had quietly departed.
The children having had all kinds
of fanciful ideas told them about
Christmas, and the shy and dexterous
old Saint Nick, had deliberate Fly made
scheme for the exposure and en-
trapment Of dear old Santa.
That night before going to bed,
they had placed directly in under the
chimney of the old fire place, large
receptacle containing water, so that
when Santa Claus came down he
would fall into he water, and make
tremendous splash. that in case
they did go to sleep, it would wake
them up. Then by means of
strings and other articles. they were
to close the door of the fireplace and
it having latch, would automatical
al lock, they would then have him
and his entire bag of presents.
The lock on the door leading into
the other apartments was on the out
side, but Mother had faithful ly pro
missed the children she would fasten
this when she WITHDREW, thereby pre-
venting him going out at the door.
After the Mother had left, the
children began talking quietly to each
other in order to keep awake; for
some time they wers discussing the
| plans that were to be executed, then
they took turns in occupying the time
| by talking or doing anything that
might aid in dispeling the gloon and
monotony, which seemed to gradual
ly creep over the children. BY the
time the children we're out of talking
material the wind began to blow and
the sound it made gradually rose
from gentle murmur to an increas-
ing groWl, then it was that the child
rem began to huddle up closer to
each other, and even to cover their
heads in the bed clothes.
The children now becoming fright
ened could hear soft steps going back
and forth over the floor. Outside
they could hear the old house dog go
from one COZ ner of the ouse to the
other, with low blood curdling
growl. Even the air seemed to be
floating with demons and noises that
would freeze the blood. 1t was then
that the scurrying sound of p rat
would have been most welcome to
the boys.
Finally Willie heard sound as if
Santa Claus had started down the
chimney, and he partly forgot the
feeling that seemed like death grad
ually creeping over him, and with
determination arose and was going
to be ready at the string.
The water they had placed at the
chimney now seemed to produce an
ugly light, and the water itself ap-
peared to be lot of fresh, steaming
gore. From the far corner a new
picture came into view. Close to the
floor We're two bright, cleaning eyes
of an understandable nature, and were
gradually moving back and forth,
Willie was now powerless. He had
not even the strength to take his
eyes from the scene that now con-
fronted them. Suddenly the eyes
made a quick dash forward and stop
ped. Then there was queer squeak
ing as that of a captured mouse.
Willie fell back on the bed prone and
helpless.
The Mother, who had heard an ag-
onizing scream fastened to the room
and succeeded in calming the child
ren, after which she remained with
them till they were sound asleep.
Next Christmas the children will
not attempt to catch Santa.
VERN TUIrpprp