The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-12-18

from page >.
tt wish you all q merry Christ
mas" faltered Santa Claus; but
really must be going. sir"
'Nonsense!" cried Mr.. Harrison.
mot until you have got rid Of this
chill. and"
II can't stay. sir" said Santa. It'll
lose my job II I do"
"Well. what II you do? I'll give
you a better one" said the banker
II can't can't" faltered the man.
T-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 dom this?" He point
ed at the painted boards. and shyd-
dered.
81 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"
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 a fur coat. to keep the wind
of, too. for 1t is a bitter night"
"Oh," said Little Billee, II haven't
told you about these boards he wears.
He has 'em to keep the wind of. 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?"
"Yes," said Mr.. Harrison. glancing
at the boards. 1T says II You Want
a Good Christmas Dinner for a 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 lived, Santa Claus" he
said, looking up into the old fellows
face, his own countenance trimming
oNcT Win IOu
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 II" said Lit
tie Billee's papa. We'll. then. Mr..
Billiam, suppose you inform me what
1t says"
merry Christmas to Everybody
said Little Billee proudly. Il couldn't
read II myself. but he told me what 1t
said. He has It printed there so that
II he misses saying II 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! / haven't be-
lieved 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!"
lllttl6 Dllle6 udu tue SatlSIdCtiOu VI
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 Blllee's
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 is new messenger.
named John, who has a voice so like
Santa Claus voice that whenever Lit
tie Billee goes down there in the mo-
tor to ride home at night with his
papa, he runs into the bank and has
long talk with him, just for the
pleasure of pretending that it is Santa
Claus he Is talking to.