Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-12-18

Stepping into a room. he closed the
door. leaving a crack through which
he could peep.
Presently he heard the scratch of a
match. and u gas jet in the ball was
lighted, revealing the face of a strange
m What did it mean? Could
he have got into the wrong housel
His home was the sixth from the end
house. where he had put on his cos
tune. Had be missed a house or
counted too many! 1t didn't matter;
he had certainly made a mistake.
The woman. considering that 1t was
Christmas time. wore a rather sad ex-
preston. She went into a bedroom
opposite the one in which Jim was con-
cealed and looked down on a few toys
a meager Christmas PROFESSIONALISM
out on a 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 a corner
but was unable to conceal himself. On
~perceiving him the woman started and
gave a suppressed cry; but, recogniz-
ing a 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
l didn't think you would do this for
the children. Isn't 1t too delightful for
anything. And what a splendid Santa
Claus you make!"
Running to the landing. she called
out: children, come up here. Santa
Claus has comet"
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 a 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 a he proceeded so great
xrn- A. lan>4v.Arr H., w-n. aNVfarrtr ~
on this family that he kept on empty
ing his sack quite willingly.
Finally Jim came to a package that
he 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 1t. eagerly tore off the cover
and, unfolding the dress. held it up ad-
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 1t
occurred to him that he had better be
getting out. Bowling and throwing kiss
es to the family he had made so hap
by. 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 presentsT"
"GoneT
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 a bear hug. 'Ill
stand for everything you gave away
Mrs. Dumont and the children wert'
called downstairs and Jim gave them
an account of his adventure. Whpl
he had finished his fnther repeated Ms
promise to duplicate everything thai
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 ont in
a body. Jim at the head. and. when
admitted to their neighbours house. Mr.
Dumont explained how Jim had made
a mistake. but IN no account would q
single gift be taken back.
Nor would any OF the family. includ