Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-12-31

tune. Had he missed a house or
counted too many? 1t didn't matter:
he had certainly made a mistake.
The woman. considering that it was
Christmas time. wore a rather sad ex-
preston. She went into bedroom
! opposite the one in which Jim was con-
cealed and looked down ON few toys
a meager Christmas PROFESSIONALISM
out on bed. then, closing the door
behind her. came out into the hall
Jim supposed that she would go
downstairs again, but instead of doing
so she came right into the room where
he was. He retreated into corner,
but was unable to conceal himself. On
perceiving him the woman started and
gave suppressed cry; but, recogniz-
ing Santa Claus. her appearance and
actions changed at once.
"Oh, Tom," she exclaimed joyfully,
''how lovely of you! knew that you
wouldn't stay away for Christmas, but
didn't think you would do this for
the children. Isn't it too delightful for
anything! And what splendid Santa
Claus you make!
Running to the landing. she called
out: Children, come up here! Santa
Claus has Gomez
Four little tots. the oldest nine, the
youngest three. came running up the
stairs. the older tumbling over the
younger ones and all in a hurry to see
Santa Claus
In one respect Jim was relieved. His
| father had told him that he must be
careful not to get into the wrong house.
for he had read of a thief who had
once played Santa Claus for the pur-
pose of plumber and had been shot.
When Jim found that he had blunder-
ed he was much frightened. Indeed, he
dared not reveal himself AS soon as
the children appeared he advanced into
the light and began to toss toys to the
little ones. They were eagerly seized.
Jim had vain hope that something
would occur before he need give away
the more substantial presents to enable
him to save them for their intended
purpose, but as he proceeded SO great
was the happiness he was comforting
on this family that he kept on empty
ing his sack quite willingly.
Finally Jim came to a package that
be knew contained his sister Jennie's
party dress. A little girl about Jen-
MES age stood looking up at him visit
fully. Jim could not withstand the
temptation. He tossed the package to
| the child She broke the string that
bound it, eagerly tore off the cover
and, unfolding the dress, held it up adj
miringly. Then she threw her arms
around Jim's neck, and he forgot his
blunder in his and her happiness.
Jim flung skates, clothes, dolls, Shoes
anything. everything that his hand
touched as he plunged it into the bag.
till there was nothing left. Then it
occurred to him that he had better be
getting out Bowling and throwing kiss
es to the family he had made so hap
py, he ran down the stairs, the chill
dren crying out for him not to go yet.
but ignoring their pleadings till he
came to the front door, through which
he passed and closed it, shutting out
the joyful clatter behind him.
Meanwhile his brothers and sisters
were kept with difficulty by his moth
er in the room where she had gather
ed them. The father was downstairs
in the library. The door opened and
in walked Mr.. Jim in Santa Claus rig.
but with an empty bag.
"Why, JIM" exclaimed his father.
whats become of your presents?
"Gone"
Gone? But where"
II went down the wrong scuttle. A
lot of children thought was their
Santa Claus. l didn't intend to give
'em all the presents, but got started
and it made 'em so happy that just
couldn't help cleaning out the bag"
"Good for you. sonny" and the ia
Their gave his boy bear hug. It'll
stand for everything you gave away"
Mrs. Dumont and the children were
called downstairs and Jim gave them
an account Of his adventure. When
he had finished his father repeated his
promise to duplicate everything that
had been given away and suggested
that they all go into the house that
Jim had wrongly entered, explain the
mistake and enjoy the happiness of
their neighbors. So they went out in
a body. Jim at the head, and. when
admitted to their neighbours house. Mr..
Dumont explained how Jim had made
a mistake, but on no account would a
single gift be taken back.
Nor would any of the family, includ-
! ing Mrs. Dumont. have deprived their
neighbors Of the happiness Of which
they had been unintentionally the
cause Indeed. Jim's blunder produc-
ed a lasting change in the Dumont
family. Mrs. Dumont had found that.
in order to make the Christmas ex-
changes, she had spent all the money
her husband had given her. and she
| had nothing left for the poor. Had
Jim come down the right scuttle no
ono oyoanf tho Durnonf family and