Mower County transcript., 1914-12-23

Billee,'' the Old man replied
sadly, II must hurry back. You see,
ktddte. this is my bury day. : IA.
But It was not TO be as Santa Claus
*willed. for Little Btllee's papa, ard
his mamma. and his brothers and sis.
ters. and the butler and the hnuee.
maids were waiting at the front door
when they arrived. 81 zsss55.-- S.:.s
Led by Little Billee's persistent fa,
ther. Santa Claus went into the house.
Now that the boy could see him Ii the
full glare OF many electric lights, his
furs did not seem the most gorgeous
things in the world. Z When the flap.
ping front Of his red jacket dew open,
the child was surprised to see: how
ragged was the thin gray coat It GOV.
cred; and as for the good old saints
comfortable stomach--strange to say,
Il was not! ...S, S:z.5. s1= & i s=< {
y E. II wish you all q merry Christ
mas = faltered Santa Claus; hut i
really must be going. sir .5 VIZ
''Nonsense!" cried Mr.. Harrison.
Not until you have got rid OF this
chill, and-'' z$. 4 Sg5=sss== ;s ~ d
Il can't stay. SIR said Santa. .I.n
lose my Job X do. Es<zz .'.' :. -
We'll, what IL you do9 I'll give
you 4. better one. !" said the banker. >:
: 4 can't--Iz can l" fnltered the man.
'I---l---I've5 got q Little Billee of my
own at home .waitin' Tor me, sir. II
! hadn't, = 4 he added derceiy, s..do you
suppose I'd be doin' this? He point
ed at the painted boards. and shud.
dered. -, z.@ .:<s II 5, zS.%< ,<s .z.- -,
: II guess Santa Claus IS tired, papa, = =
said Little Billee. smuggling up close
~ to the old fellow and, taking hold
Of his hand sympathetically. 3: He's
been walkin' lot today" -*sE - -
SO Yes, my son." said Mr.; Harrison
<grayely. These are very busy times
for Santa Claus, and I#sguess that. as
he Still !: has a. herd night: ahead t.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
of, too;f for It is a bitter night
"0h," said Little Billee, Il haven't
told you about these boards he wears.
He has 'em to keep the wind of, and
they're : f1ne,~ 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?" ,~-'-s.- - = :
EYES," said Mr.. Harrison. glancing
at the boards. 1T says IF. You Want
q Good Christmas Dinner for Quar-.
ter, Go to Smithson's Cafe.'" ::
Little Billee roared with laughter. =
i '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
Give been Joking, have 1?'' said Lit.
tie Billee's papa. well: then, Mr.
Billiam, suppose you inform me what
it says :..s.:.. -:.g- = i j. ~.
." Merry Christmas to- Every w
said Little: Rillee proudly. II couldn't
read il. myself, but he told me what 1t
said: He has it printed there SO that
If he misses saying IT, to anybody.
they'll know. he means it. just the
same" :. = s.. = g., 5zz 5s.s:
HBy Jove, Mr.. Santa Claus, !. cried
Little Billee's papa, grasping the old
man warmly by the hand; 81 lowe you
ten million apologies! I haven't be.
! lieved in you for many q long year;
but now Sir, take II. all back: You
do exist, and, BY the. great horn spoon,
you are the real thingl !" ...:. b.
Little Biliees had the satisfaction Of
acting as host to Santa Claus. at! q
{ good, luscious dinner, which Santa
Claus must have enjoyed very much.
After dinner Henry came with the aa.
, tomobile, and, bidding everybody good
night Santa Claus and Little Hillee's
papa went out of the. house together.
Is Christmas morning daWned. and Lit-
stle Biliee aWoke from wonderful
dreams of rich gifts. and of extraordl.
/ nary adventures Niittll, snew.found
friend hids the reality quite 90
splendid the dream tlainss HE
40 for Santa Glans, title Billea has
moi. seen him again bnt down &C his
sfatnef,a bank there d 8 new messenger,