The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-12-19
Seeing Santa
Claus
A Christmas Story
For chiIdreI, .,,
rfs IA a.-ala gstftA afsi 9
D. NARY sLUNpGREN
Copyright k1s1a, by American Press
Association.

u WAS Few udyS De1or0 OuEisF
mas, and King Winter was pre-
pairing the roads for Santa Claus
long drive The snowfakes were
tumbling over one another to do his
bidding, and Jack Frost shouted to
Donald, who was fattening his nose
against the windowpane that he
would better stay in the house If he
did not wish to get his ears pinched.
Donald was half past four" and
Aunt Made, sitting before the fire.
''half past forty" Early in the for
mer's career the two had formed an
exclusive mutual admiration society.
The little boy climbed upon the arm
Of the lady's huge easy chair, and the
two sat cozily in front Of the heater,
gazing thoughtfully into the glowing
Goals that showed through the encir-
cling isinglass and made the only light
in the room.
rs Santa Claus our papas and NAM
mas, Aunt Madie?
The Santa Claus / saw certainly,
wasn't, Donnie"
did you ever see Santa Claus?
Honest, did you"
Lets make it a story. Once upon
q time. long. long, ago, when l was
a little girl, we were poor. so poor
that Brother Fred tyour papa, Donniel
and never got much for Christmas.
We couldn't understand why Santa
Claus did not give the poor a lot and
the rich just little to even things up.
Mother said it was to give the rich
chance to be good to the poor
and the poor chance to grow
good by suffering patiently, and then
both would be worthy to celebrate
Christ's birthday. Fred's patched suit
hardly kept out the cold. and this
Christmas am talking about had
such a queer little ache way down in
my heart that some way couldn't get
cured. l told Fred, but he said we,
must pretend to be ever so much
pleased with whatever we got, even If
1t should be only stick of candy, be-
cause mamma would feel so sorry, and
she didn't have nice things either. but
had to work all day long and late
at night sewing for the railroad boys"
"PoOr grandma! Let's give her some
thing nice this Christmas. She can
have all my pennies"
"Mammas don't mind 80 much not
having things If their boys and girls
are good. but am afraid Fred and !
worried her sometimes and made her
much trouble. Anyway. that Christ
mas eve slept with mamma. and l
remember we had hardly enough COW
ering to keep US warm"
"POor Aunt Made! Did you get cold
and wake up and see Santa Claus
thenY' tA''- 90
~ think some kind Of noise awoke
me. 1t was a beautiful night The
noonbeams that crept between the
curtains sat close to the shadows. 81
lently watching, just like the shepherds
the first Christmas eve. You remember
the story. dear? 1t was so still that
almost expected to, hear the angels
sing. Then, of course. l began to think
Of Santa Claus, wanted and wanted
to see him. but I was dreadfully afraid
would. My heart was going pittypat
when-what do you suppose Donnie?-
! really saw something move in the
cornerg'
"And It was Santa Claus"
ut looked like man, and l could
see by the bobbing Of his lead that he
was coming toward me. | thought of
Santa Claus, and thought Of robbers,
and did not know what to think"
"What did you do. Aunt Madie?"
Bob, bob. went his head. and he
seemed to he coming closer and closer.
I was so scared I never thought Of
mamma at all. or whether she would
get hurt. supposing 1t wasn't Santa
Claus. but slipped under the covers,
way down to the foot Of the bed"
II shut my eyes. put my fingers In
my ears and trembled myself to sleep.
for the next thing ! knew something
heavy bounced upon the bed. and there
It was Christmas morning and Fred