The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-01-16


l tried to find piece of silver on the
sideboard. but none was there. and the
drawers had been locked. passed out
into hall. and dim light above told
me that probably the gas had been
turned low on the upper Hoor. went
up there and. found some of the bed
room doors Open In one room into
which the lowered gas jet threw "A
faint light could see child's crib.
went on tiptoe to the open door and
recognized the child had seen leaving
the house that same afternoon.
He looked mighty pretty lying
asleep, one arm under his cheek and
| his chubby little fists doubled up. AT
! the other end of the room was bed, in
which, supposed, his nurse was sleep
ing. One Christmas present had been
given him, and he had taken 1t to bed
with him. 1t was tin horn. 1t made
me vince, for If he should wake up
and catch sight Of me 1t would be
fine medium with which to arouse the
house.
Suddenly a clock without began to
strike, and bells all over the city were
ringing in Christmas day. should
have thought of my critical position.
but instead l was impressed with the
ringing of the bells. The most solemn
thing in the world is q tolling bell, and
the most gladstone is the sound of
bells ringing for some joyful event.
I was standing listening TO the merry
jangle when the boy began to stir In
his crib. opened his eyes and listened
intentlk He had evidently been arous-
ed by the bells. Then he sat up and.
Selling his horn. began to blow blast
that should have caused me to beat
hasty retreat. But It didn't. The bells
without and the horn within were so
typical of Christmas that In my APP
probation Of the ushering In of the
day l forgot that l stood, as 1t were.
at the door of prison cell. heard
chuckle In one of the rooms and a
mans voice call out:
merry Christmas. Benny! Now. go
to sleep again and give Santa Claus a
chance 10 come down the chimney
and fill your stocking"
But the boys mother couldn't keep
away from him, and the first thing |
knew a woman in her nightdress
came through the hall. started down
stairs, but was too late. She gave the
alarm. A man sprang into the hall and
before l had reached the lower story
seized me. He was big and strong.
while 1, weak from want of food. was
unable to resist.
The horror of my situation did not
affect me as one would suppose 1t
would. A Jail hasn't the terror for
one who cannot feed himself that 1t
has for one who doesn't know depriva-
ton. 1 resigned myself to my fate.
The man, seeing that there was little
to fear from me. took me into his
library and turned on the lights Then
he stood looking at me. The Christ
mas bells were still ringing without.
and 1t seemed to, me that they were
lettering Influence upon my captor
to turning a fellow being on this bless
ed morning over to the police. How
ever he mastered his repugnance and
started to a telephone when in walked
Benny In his nightie He stood look
ing at me for a moment then said:
"Oh, thought you was Santa Claus!''
"Run back upstairs, sonny" said the
man.
"Who is he, papaW
Zone who stole into the house to take
your Christmas gifts from you"
The little fellow looked very sober.
"What are you going to do with him?"
he asked of his father.
"Send him to jail"
"And he won't have any Christmas?"
"No. Wicked persons don't deserve to
have any Christmas.
1--WE never had a Christmas" said
despairingly, but thus far I've never
spent one in jail. / am starving and
came in here to get something l could
sell so that might buy a meal"
The man looked at me inquiringly.
Perhaps there was sincerity In my face
that moved him.
f"Your first burglary?" he asked.
II have. never stolen penny in my
life"
No great time had thus far passed
since 1 was discovered, and the bells
were still ringing. They were beating
against this mans heart.
"You can CO." he said presently.
"And, papa" put in Benny, cant |
give him some of my Christmas gifts?'
'"Time enough for that tomorrow"
replied the father, then to me, IF
you'll come here about noon I'll have
a talk with you and see If can do
anything to help you
"Can't he have a part Of our Christ
mas dinner?" asked Benny.
To this the father paid no attention.
but, opening the front door. told me to
60 forth, saying to me as l passed out
'If you're sincere you'll come back to-
morrow; If you're d hardened criminal
/ shall probably never see you again
Go before those bells stop ringing"
"Goodbyr' cried Benny. Come to
dinner"
/ did return to dinr" and found
friend. He dared not iii once trust me
In his house, but he gave me position
as porter in his. place Of business. 1t
was not long before he discovered that
/ possessed a gift more enduring than
any that could be given at Christmas
nv artistic faculty-and he sent me to