The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-12-08

IN E19FtIEINEe "a IL hAkE4 A4S y y f.
bring him home rtsht aWay
Fifteen minutes later there might
have been seen the strange spectacle
gof 4 foctsore Santa Claus leading Q
3a1eepy little boy up Fifth avenue TO g
cross street. which shall be nameiess'
The boy yainlys endeayored 70. per
suade his companion TO come in and
meet mamma"
|. mo. Billee." the old man replied
sadly, 7 must hurry back. You see,
kiddie, this Is my busy day"
But twas not to be 40 Santa Claus
willed, for Little Billee's papa. and
his mamma. and his brothers and sis.
tiers, and the butler and the house
maids were waiting at the front door
when they arrived. &,
Led by Little BlIlee's persistent ~
ther. 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 nap
ping front Of his red jacket few 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,
It was not!
I'll wish you all a merry Christ
mas" ALTERED Santa Claus; but ]
really must be going. sir"
"Nonsense!" cried Mr.. Harrison.
mot until you have got ria of this
chill, and"
4 can't stay. SIR" said Santa. "rtl
lose my job IL i do"
.'Well, what II you do? I'll give
you a better one" said the banker.
II can't can'ti" faltered the man.
'T-I-1've got Little Billee Of my
own at home waitin' for me. sir. II !
hadn't" he added hercely, "do you
suppose I'd be dom this?" He point
ed at the painted boards. and shud.
dered.
II guess Santa Claus is tired. papa,"
said Little Billee, smuggling up close.
Iy to the old fellow and taking hold
of his hand sympathetica1ly. HES
been walkln' lot today"
Eyes, my son." said Mr.. Harrison
gravely. These are very busy times
for Santa Claus, and 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
of, too, for 1t Is a bitter night"
"Oh," said Little BlAee, Il haven't
told you about these boards he wears.
He has EN- to keep the wind on. and
they're fine. papa!" Little Billee
pointed to the two slgn.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 krow
what It says?"
eyes" said Mr.. Harrison. glancing
at the boards. ut says II You Want
a Good Christmas Dinner for q Quar-
ter. Go to smithson's cafe.'"
Little Billee 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 Drumming
over with mirth. '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,
smiling through his tears.
i've been Joking. have II" said Lit.
tie Billee's papa. We'll. 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 1t
said. He has It printed there so that
IL he misses saying It to anybody,
they'll know he means it Just the
same"
by Jovs, Mr.. Santa Claus" cried
Little Billee's papa, grasping the old
man warmly by the hand. 'tI owe you
ten million apologies! l haven't be
lfeved In you for many long year;
but now, sir. take 1t all back. You
do exist, and. by the great horn spoon,
you are the real thing!" T.
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'
tomobile, and, bidding everybody good
night, Santa Claus and Little BilleeG
papa went out Of the house together,
Christmas morning dawned. and Lit.
tie Billee awoke from wonderful
dreams Of rich gifts, and Of extraordi,
nary adventures with his new-found
friend, to find the reality quite as
splendid as the dream things.
AS for Santa Claus, Little Billee has
not seen him again; but down at his
fathers bank there IL new messenger,
named John, who has voice 90 like
Santa Claus voice that whenever Lit.
tie BIllee goes down there In the mo.