Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-12-24
SANTA CLAUS AND LITTLE BILLEE.
BY JOHN KENDRlCK BANGS.

GdillC llkO NlOSC NOutdAh hh~
endless current OF human things, it was
as hard for him to ''stay put" as for some
wayward little atom OF flotsam and jetsam
to keep from tossing about in the surging
tides Of the sea.
His mother had left him there in the
big toy shop, with instructions not to
move until she came back, while she went
off TO do some mysterious enand. She
thought, no doubt, that with so many
beautiful things on every side to delight
his eye and hold his attention, strict obe-
dience TO her commands would not be
hard. But, alas, the good lady reckoned
not upon the magnetic power OF attraction
of all those lovely objects in detail.
When a phonograph at the other end
OF the shop began TO rattle off melouIous
tunes and funny jokes, in spite OF the in
struction Little BiIee had received, OIL
he battered as fast as his little legs would
carry him to investigate. After that, for
getiul OF everything else, finding himself
caught in the constantly moving stream
of fChriStmas shoppers, he was borne along
in the resistless current until he found
himself at last out upon the street-alone,
free. and independent.
1t was great fun, at first. BY and by,
however, the afternoon waned, and little
Billee began to grow tired. He thought
of his mamma, and tried TO find the shop
where he had promised TO remain quiet
until her return. Up and down the street
he wandered until his little legs grew
weary; but there was no sign OF the shop,
nor of the beloved face he was seeking
Once again, and yet once again after
that, did the little fellow traverse that
crowded highway, his tears getting harder
and harder TO eep back, and then-loy
OF ioys-whom should he see walking
slowly along the sidewalk but Santa Claus
himself The saint was strangely dec
Grated with two queerlooking boards,
with big red letters on them, hung over
his back and chest.
With a glad cry OF happiness, Little
Bilee ran to meet the old fellow, and
put his hand gently into that OF the saint.
He thought il very strange that Santa
ClauS's hand should be so red and cold
and rough, and SO chapped but he was
not in any mood 10 be critical.
Santa Claus, OF course, would recognize
him at once, and would know just how
to take him back TO his mamma at home
wherever that might be. Little Blllee
had never thought 10 inquire just where
home was. All he knew was that il was
a tig gray stone house on long street
somewhere, with a tall iron railing in
front OF it, not far from the park
"Howdidoo, Mr.. Santa Claus ?" said
Lutte Billee, as the others hand uncon-
sclously tightened over his own.
"Why, howdidoo, kiddie ?" replied
the old fellow, glancing down at his new
found frienI, with surprise cleaning
from his deep-set eyes. "Where did
you drop from ?"
"Oh, I'm out" said Little Bilee brave
Iy. "My mamma left me little while
ago while she went oft about something,
and guess got osted But it's all right
now, Pm found again, amt ?"
ooh, yes, Indeedy, you're found all
right, kiddIe," Santa Claus agreed.
"And pretty soon you'll take me home
again, won't you ?" said the child.
"Surest thing you knowp answered
Santa Claus, looking down upon the
bright but tired little face with a conn.,
forling smile "Where do you live. ?"
"As If you didn't know that" cried
Little Billee, giggllng.
"Ha, hap laughed Santa Claus. Cant
TOOL you. can /? 1t would be funny if,
alter keeping an eye on you all these
years since you was baby, ! didn't
know where you lived, eh p
awful funny," agreed Little Billee.
lust then Little BiIIee noticed TOR the
rlrst time the square boards that Santa
ClauS WAS wearing.
"What are you wearing those boards
tor, Mr.. Santa Claus ?" he asked.
II the lad had looked closely enough,
he Xould have seen very unhappy look
come into the old mans face; but there
was nothing OF it in his answer.
"Oh, those are my w-fangled back
and chest protectors. my lad, " he replied
"SomelimeS we have bitter winds blowing
1t Christmas, and have 10 be ready Tor
them. 1t wouldn't do for Santa Claus to
come down With the sneezes at Christ
ras time, you know-no. stree This
board in front keeps the wind of my
chest, and the one behind keeps me from
getting rheumatism in my back. They
areagreat protection againStthe weather" !"
you've got letters printed there" said
the boy, peenng around IN front OF his
companion. What Go they spell? You
know haven't learned 10 read yet"
"M,rry Christmas TO Everybody 7 !"
said Santa Claus 81 have the words
printed there so that everybody can see
them; and it miss wishing anybody a
merry Christmas, he'll know meant it
| just the same "
They walked on now in silence, for
Little Bllee was beginning to feel almost
too tired TO talk, and Santa Claus seemed
to be thinking ofsomething else. Finally,
however, the little fellow spoke.
81 guess Id like to go home now, Mr..
Santa Claus" he said. 'H'm tired, and
I'm afraid my mamma will be wondering
where l'ye gone to-"
That's so, my little man." said Santa
Claus. stopping short in his walk up and
down The block. "Your mother will be
| worried. for a fact: and YOUR father, too