Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-12-16


lie telephone station, where he eager
ly scanned the names in the book. At
last last it was found-"ThOmas Har-
rison, seven-six-five-four Plaza" And
then, in the seclusiOn Of the tele-
phone booth, Santa Claus sent the
gladdest of all Christmas messages
over the wire to two distracted par
ents:
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 a footsore Santa Claus leading a
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"
"No, BiIlee," the old man replied
sadly, 81 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 ana sis
tiers, and the butler and the house
maids were waiting at the front door
when they arrived.
Led by Little Billee's persistent IA
Their, 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 flew 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,
it was not!
"T-I wish you all merry Christ
mas" faltered Santa Claus; "but I
really must be going, sir"
''Nonsense!" cried Mr. Harrison.
mot until you have got rid of this
chill, and"
'I can't stay, sir" said Santa. "Pn
lose my job if do
"Well, what if you do? I'll give
you a better one," said the banker.
81 can't can't!" faltered the man.
1-I-1 We SOI d IlIIlS D1llSS VI lily
own at home waitin' for me, sir. If I
hadn't" he added fercely, "do you
suppose I'd be dom this?" He point
ed at the painted boards, and shud-
dered.
'I guess Santa Claus is tired, papa"
said Little Billee, smuggling up close
ly to the old fellow and taking hold
of his hand sympathetically. Hes
been walkin' lot today"
Eyes, my son." said Mr.. Harrison
gravely. "These are very busy times
for Santa Claus, and I 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, so that we may take him
back-to his little boy. Well have to
lend him fur coat, to keep the wind
off, too, for it is a bitter night
"Oh," said Little Billee, 81 haven't
told you about these boards he wears.
He has 'em to keep the wind off, 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 'em, too. Do you know
what it says?"
eyes," said Mr.. Harrison. glancing
at the boards. ct says IF You Want
a Good Christmas Dinner for Quar-
ter, Go to Smithson's Cafe"
Little BiIlee roared with laughter.
"Papa's trying to fool me, just as
you did when you pretended not to
know where I lived, Santa Claus" he
said, looking up into the old fellows
face, his own countenance trimming
over with mirth "You mustn't think
he can't read, though the lad added
hastily. Hes only joking"
ooh, no, indeed, shouldn't have
thought that replied Santa Claus,
smiling through his tears.
''I've been joking, have -" said Lit
tie Billee's papa. well. then, Mr..
Billiam suppose you inform me what
it says"
"'Merry Christmas to Everybody
said Little Billee proudly. Il couldn't
read it myself, but he told me what it
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
Little Billee's papa, grasping the old
man warmly by the hand, Il owe you
ten million apologies! 1 haven't be-
lieved in you for many a long year;
but now, sir, I take it all back. You
do exist, and, by the great horn spoon,
you are the real thing!"
Little Billee had the satisfaction of
acting as host to Santa Claus at
good, luscious dinner, which Santa
Claus must have enjoyed very much.
After dinner Henry came with the au-