The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-12-22

| Illus Taineut 6ca phch COMBINING
,pecial and undisclosed gifts.
When the Kids are rounded up. he
instructed the volunteer arrangement
committee. light up the candles on
the tree and set EN- to playin' pussy
wants corner and King william.
When they get good at 1t, why. old
Santa'll slide in the door. reckon
tne,eIl he plenty OF lifts to go round.
The ladies were hitting about the
tree. xiving 1t final touches that were
never final. Every minute beads wonld
pop out the door to look and listen for
the approach Of Trinidads team.
At length the wagon OF the child
"rustIers'' ratified down the street to
the door. The lndleS. with little
screams OF excitement few to the light
ing Of the candles The men Of Vel
iowhammer passed in and ont rest
lesSly or stood about the room In EN-
barrasscd groups.
Trinidad and the Judge, bearing the
marks OF protracted travel. entered.
! ronGurting between them Il single imp
ish boy, who stared with sulcn. p"S;i
ni:ltic eyes ut the gaudy tree.
"Where are the other chldrCn!'
asked the asSayer'H wife. the ac1inowI-
edged leader OF IL. social funytioII>.
"Ma'am." said Trinidad. with a sigh.
"proSpcctin' for Kids ut Christmas time
is like huntin in limestone for silver
This here young biprd. ma'am. is ali:
that washes out of our two days WA
neuvcI>,."
Thcu The door opened. and Cherokee
entered in the conventional dress Of
st. Nick. \ Waite ripping beard and
flowing hair covered his face almost to
his dark and shining eyes. Over his
shoulder he carried a pack.
No one stirred ~ he came in. Bobby
stood with his hands in his pockets
gazing gloomity at the effeminate and
childish tree Cherokee put down his
pack and looked wondering|y about
the room. Perhaps he f;nried that a
bevy Of eager children were being herd
ed somewhere to be ioosed upon bis
entrunce He went mp to Bobby and
extended his red mittened hand
Merry Christmas. little hoy said
Cherokee. "Anything on the tree you
want thpy'll get ii down for y"n-
Won't you shake hands with Santa
CLAUSE"
There amt any Santa Claus" whin
cd the boy. "You've got old false billy
goats whiskers on your face. amt
no kid What do | want with dolls and
tin horses? The driver said Eon'd have
rifle. and You haven't. ! want to go
home"
Trinidad stepped into the breach. He
shook Ch.rokre's hand In warm greet
ing
"i'm sorry. Cherokee" be explained.
There never was kid in Yellowhain-
mer We tried to rustic bunch Of EN-
for your swaee. but this sardine was
all we could catch. He's a atheist and
ne don't believe IN Santa Claus. It's a
sha me for yOn to be ont all this truck.
But me and the Judge WIS sure We
could round up = wagonfui Of candi-
dates for your gincraeks.
That's all right" said Cherokee
graveiy. The expense don't amount
to nothin'. worth memtionin'."
Bobby had reiterated to a distant
chair and was coldIy regarding the
scene with enRui piastcred thick upon
him, Cherokee. lingering with his
original idea. went over and sat I've
side him
Where do you live. little boy?' he
asked respectfully.
"Granitr junction." said Hobhv with
out emphasis
The rvotu WAS warm Cherokee took
Off his cap and then removed his heard
and wig
Say" exclaimed Bobby. with a
show Of interest. Il know your mug.
all right"
Did you ever see me before?" asked
Cherokee.
!. Il don't know. but I've seen your
picture lots Of times
"where%'
The boy hesitated. "On the bureau
at home" be answered
j Lets have your maine. If you please.
Buddy"
: Robert Lumsden. The picture be-
longs to my mother She puts 1t under
her pillow Of nights. And once | saw
her kiss II. | wouldn't. But women
are that way"
1 Cherokee rose and heckoned to TRIM
dad.
: Keep this boy by you till I come
back" he said I'm gon' to shed
: these Christmas buds aud hitch up my
sleigh. I'm goin' to take this kid
home
! Cherokee drove his sleigh to the door
and they lifted Bobby in beside him.
The team Of fine horses sprang away
i pranclngiy over the hard snow. Chero-
kee had on his $500 overcoat Of baby
seslskin.s The lap robe that he drew
about them was as warns m velvet.
Bobby slipped cigarette from bis
pocket aud was trying to sHsp
match
Throw that cigarette away" said
Cherokee 10 quie. but new voice
Rrktv ho~fkntnH orA fhGA xfenonoA