Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-12-24
giraffes against a monkey on stickl.'

anxiously.
81 don't believe you even know your
papa's name," he said.
"Yes, do" said Little Billee indig-
nantly. His name is MIR. Harrison and
he owns bank"
Splendid Made OF tin, suppose,
with nice little hole at the top TO drop
pennies into ?" said Santa Claus.
"No, it amt, either !" retorted Little
Bllee. "It's made OF stone, and has
more than million windows in it. ]
went down there with my mamma TO
papa's office the other day, so | guess
ought TO know"
"Well, | should say So" said Santa
Claus. Nobody better. BY the way,
Billee, what does your mamma call your
papa ? 'Billee,' like you 2" he added.
"Oh, no, indeed" returned Little Bill
lee. "She calls him papa, except once
in while when he's going away, and
then she says, Good by, Tom. "
"Fine again |" said Santa Claus, blow
ing upon his fingers, for, now that the
sun had completely disappeared over in
the west, it was getting very cold.
"Thomas Harrison, banker" he mutter-
ed TO himself. "What, with the telephone
book and the city directory, guess we
can find our way home with Little Blllee."
He led the little fellow into public
telephone station, where he eagerly
scanned the names in the book. AT last
il was found-"Thomas Harrison, seven
six five-f four Plaza" And then, in the
seclusion Of the telephone booth, Santa
Claus sent the gladd ST OF all Christmas
messages over the wire 10 two distracted
parents:
81 have found your boy wandering in
the street. He is safe, and | will bring
him home right away"
Fifteen minutes later, there might have
been seen the strange spectacle OF foot
sore Santa Claus leading sleepy little
boy up Fifth avenue 10 cross street,
which shall be nameleSs. The boy vainly
endeavored TO persuade his compaHion
TO come in and meet mamma"
"No, BiIlee," the old man replied sadly
al must hurry back. You see, kiddie
this is my busy day"
But it was not TO be as Santa Claus
willed, for Little Billee's papa, and his
mamma, and his brothers and sisters, and
the butler and the housemaids were wait
ing at the front door when they arrived.
Led by Little Bilee's persistent father
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 Tapping front OF his
red Jacket flew open, the child was sur
priSed to see how ragged was the thin
gray coat it covered and as for the good
OLD saints comfortable stornach-strange
TO say, it was notl
"I-l wish you all merry Christmas,
faltered Santa Claus; "but | really mus
be going, sir"
Nonsense |" cried Mr.. Harrison
"Not until you have got rid of this chill
and"
al can't stay, sir" said Santa. I'll lose
my job # do"
"Well, what if you do2 I'll give you
better one," said the banker.
81 can't can'tp faItered the man
"I-I-I've got Little Billee OF my own
at home waitin' for me, sir. II hadn't
he added fiercely, "do you suppose I'D
be doin' this ?" He pointed at the paint
ed boards, and shuddered.
81 guess Santa Claus is tired, papa. "
said Little BiIee, smuggling up closely to
the old fellow and taking hold of his hand
sympathetically. "He's been walkin' Z
lot today"
Eyes, my son." said Mr.. Hlrrison
gravely. These are very busy times
for Santa Claus, and guess that. as he
still has hard night ahead Of him, James
had better ring up Henry and tell him tc
bring the Car around right away, so thai
we may take him back-to lis little boy
Well have to lend him fur coat, TO keep
the wind off, too, for il is bitter night. y
"Oh," sai Little Billee, 81 haven
told you about these boards he wears
He has 'em to keep the wind off, and
they're fine, papa" Little Bllee point
ed 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 'em,
too. Do you know what it says ?"
YES" said Mr. Harrison, glancing at
The boards. 1T says, If You Want a
Good Christmas Dinner for Quarter,
Go TO Smiths )n's Cafe ,"
Little Billee roared 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 bnmning over with
minh. "You mustn't think he can't read,
though" the lad added hastily. "He's
only joking"
"Oh, no, indeed, | shouldn't have
thought that" replied Santa Claus, smil-
ing through his tears
m've been joking. have ! 2" said Lit
tie BilIee's papa. "WeIl, then, Mr.. Bill
liam, suppose you inform me what il
says"
Merry Christmas to Everybody "
said Little BiIlee proudly. 81 couldn't
read itmyself, but he tol1 me what il said.
He has It printed there so that if he misses
saying it to anybody, they'll know he
means it just the same"
"By Jove. Mr.. Santa Claus" cried