Bisbee daily review., 1912-06-11

children. You come here Christmas
eve, and wen have tree, and pres
ants, aud a Santa Claus.
Christmas eve the teams began 10
arrive early. All day Paula had
worked by herself over the tree. after
she had coaxed pop to cut the big ey.
ergreen. and drag it up and SGT il In
place for her. She had sent down
home for decorations. and little gifts
'or the children. and IL did look
CHEEKY and pretty when she bad fin.
shed. Mrs. Crossbens had ssnt
Checkers up With a sledge loaded with
long strips Of evergreen. and some
stars and wreaths she had fashioned
cut OF Il. And naturally Checkers
bad rem aiBed some time 10 help fasten
them Up for the teacher. SO when Don
Briggs drove 10 with the "rafresn-
mtnIs,r as ne called them, he founG
his place taken. and ! welcome az
chilly as the frozen milk In the tin
can.
Who's going 10 be Santa Claus z"
asked Checkers, casually. Heard
/ there was going 10 be one"
There Is" answered Paul, firmly
BET It's old Pop Briggs, on account
OF his whiskers."
1T is not" Paula chin Tilted bit
higher. Thank you so mucn, Mr.
: Crossben, ior helping me. and I'm SCR
~ you can't come tonight. ana help
give the children a happy time
Maybe ven come" said Checkers
doubtfully. scratching his head. Is
/ Don Briggs going 10 be Santa ClausY'
He is not" said Paula, coldly
"Coodby."
Vet both checkers and Don lett the
little log house with the firm convlc
ton that the other was favored by
I the teacher, and was to appear as
/ Santa Claus as a mark Of hopoT
( PaCla's cheeks were very pink that
I night when she faced her assembly.
and noted how splendidly the whole
valley had turned ont 20 support her
celebration. Only the Younger crowd
was absent, Che boys from seventeen
/ 70 twcuty-fi7e.
And now. children, said Paula,
finally, y think it is time Tor Santa
I Claus. and ] really must meet him out
/ in the entry. aud tell him your names,
! sou know. I'm going TO ask Mrs.
I Briggs If she won't take my place and
introduce him When the dear old saint
comes ir, and I'll hold the reindeer"
/ IT. sounded wonderfully plausible.
I Tie little ranch children stared and
/ held their breatbs, and wriggied about
/ eTciteuly. as the door closed after The
/ teacher Then came the sound Of
7 sleigh bells that iingIed merT!lv, aud
+ stopped with flourish a. ths outer
/ door Tneu there was silence. with
/ Mrs Briggs beaming on them frcm
7 ihc teachers desk. And ali at once
q scream.
f Ny land. hats thar uow7" gasped
! Mrs. Briggs.
! There came another aud another.
mufled now, and the stamping Of
7 horses boots on the snow outside, OF
many hoofs
Mrs Briggs ran TO the door aud
flung it open There we're the rival
factions from the Shaky 0. and the
. Crossbsn and they fought for possess
son 81 Santa Claus. short, stocky
figure wrapped from toes 10 ears IN
Mrs. Briggs coat. with a fur cap on,
/ md santn Claus mask, respondent
''r rosy checks long curly white
beard and smiling lips
Boys, what on earth are you DO
iug7' she cried. That's teachcr'"
: Il was very white faced, indir.
uant little teacher that emerged IRON
! the folds Of the raccoon coat when
4 Don carried her into The schoulroom
bodily, and set her down on the plat
form.
It5 Miss Santa Claus he said
Bows. lets give her three cheers, and
r s-sar never 70 do it again. if she'll
let US stay, and give Us some candy
too
IL let on stay II you i ever one
/ shake hands. and promise not to fght
/ any more retorted Paula. with fash
/ ing eyes. It's Z shame the way tbs
valley is upset With vou all And
/ here you almost spoiled our fun to
night KIDNAPPING ne
we thought you we're Dor" said
Checkers sadly
We thought ecu rers Checkers,
szluusd back Don I'll shake hand:
. If Checkers viii
There. before the tsachsrs desk
. they shcok hands. and sfter them FL
he rival members OF the Two faction:
shook hands, ana good will and peacs
reignsd at Little Turtle Creek for the
lrst time il years. Just for e mirut:
out n the snowy. dark sntyy Dor
stopped Paula ss she waved zcos
night to the crowd. The hood q tn,
coat had fallen back her cap was of
and she looked Ike little Esquirraux
ScHs way. his arms Tsnt around he
iqEt naturally and their lips met
Ca ! see you home. teacher.
yeiled Don iubilautly. and Checker
fed