The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1914-12-19

"What. with the telephono took an
the city directory. I euoss W On A.
our WAY home With L1ttIe Hllloe. :
He led the little fellow Into : pun
lie telephone station. whore he oagol
" scanned the names N the book 4
last laat Il was found Thomas Han
rison. even-six-ave four Plaza" AMI
then. in the seclusion Of the tele
phone booth. Santa Claus sent thu
gladdest OF all Christmas messages
over the wire to two distracted par
ents:
Il have found your boy wandering
in the street. He 10 safe. and will
bring him home right away.
Fifteen minutes later, there might
have been seen the strange spectacle
OF a footsore Santa Claus leading q
sleepy little boy up Fifth avenue to q
cross street. which shall be nameless'
The boy vainly endeavored to per.
suade his companion to come in and
meet mamma"
mo. Billee." the old man replied
sadly, II must hurry back. You see,
kiddie. this is my busy day"
But 1t was not to be as Santa Claus
willed. for Little Billee's papa, and
his mamma, and his brothers and sis
tiers, and the Butler and the house
maids were waiting at the front door
when they arrived.
Led by Little Billee's persistent fa-
ther, Santa Claus went into the house.
Now that the boy could see him in the
full glare Of many electric lights. his
furs did not seem the most gorgeous
things in the world. When the flap
ping front of his red jacket few open.
the child was surprised TO see how
ragged was the thin gray coat It COW
cred; and as for the good old saints
comfortable stomach-strange to say.
1t was not!
tt wish you all merry Christ
mas" faltered Santa Claus; but l
really must be going, sir"
NONSENSE" cried Mr.. Harrison.
"Not until you have got rid Of this
chill, and"
II can't stay. sir" said Santa. "I'll
lose my Job II do"
well, what II you do? I'll give
you better one" said the banker.
Il can't can't!' faltered the man.
"I-I-I've got q Little Billee Of my
own at home waitin' for me, sir. II I
hadn't" he added fiercely. do you
suppose I'd be dom this?" He point
ed at the painted boards. and shud-
dered.
II guess Santa Claus is tired. papa"
said Little Blllee. smuggling up close
ly to the old fellow and taking hold
OF his hand sympathetically. He's
been walkin' a lot today" III.
Yes. my son." said Mr.. Harrison
gravely. These are very busy times
for Santa Claus. and guess that, as
he still has a hard night ahead Of
him. James had better ring up Henry
and tell him to bring the car around
right away, 30 that we may take him
back--to his little boy Wen have to
lend him fur coat, to keep the wind
on. too. for It Is a bitter night"
oh" said Little Billee, II haven't
told you about these boards he wears
He has 'em to keep the wind OF. and
they're fine. papa!" Little Billee
pointed to the two sign-boards which
Santa Claus had leaned against the
wall. "He says he uses 'em on cold
nights" the lad went on. They have
writing on EN-, too. Do you know
what It says?"
YES" said Mr.. Harrison. glancing
at the boards. 1T says II You Want
a Good Christmas Dinner for Quar-
ter, Go to Smithson's Cafe"
Little Billee reared with laughter.
"Papa's trying to fool me, just as
you did when you pretended not to
know where lived, Santa Claus" he
said. looking up into the old fellows
face. his own countenance brimming
over with mirth. you mustn't think
he can't read, though" the lad added
hastily. Hes only Joking
"Oh, no. indeed, shouldn't have
thought that" replied Santa Claus,
smiling through his tears.
Tive been joking. have II" said Lit
tie Billee's papa. well. then, Mr..
Billiam, suppose you inform me what
It says
I" Merry Christmas to Everybody, !"
said Little BiIlee proudly. II couldn't
read It myself, but he told me what II
said. He has It printed there 20 that
II he misses saying 1t to anybody.
they'll know he means It just the
same"
by Jove. Mr.. Santa Claus" cried
Jattle Billee's papa. srasping the old
nan warmly by the hand. Il owe you
ten million apologies! haven't be-
lieved in you for many long year:
but now. sir, take II all back. You
do exist, and. by the great horn spoon.
you are the real thingi"
Little BiIles had Tho satisfaction n
acting - host 70 Santa Claus & :
good. luscious dinner which san(S
Claus must hsve su1oyed very muck
After dinner Henry came with the "a
tomobile, and, bidding everyday eoo1
l - ~ = -~s~ 4.