Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-01-26
BY EUNlCB BLAKE


children will give presents only to
those who need them. There are plen-
ty Of poor children whose hearts would
be gladdened at being remembered and
who cannot make q return. Let US
provide an equivalent for all the gifts
our children expect to receive and In
stead of making the return to those
who don't need presents give them to
those who do"
"Oh, Edward, how Impractical you
are! Do you suppose those who give
Us Christmas presents Will be salts
fed with such returnT
"Granted. But we will have got rid
Of the exchange method and will have
gained the pleasure Of real giving"
IF you are willing that our children
should be placed In such a position
with their associates l am not l ad-
init that we should give to the poor,
but gifts for them should be provided
extra"
"Well, my dear, I will give you an
amount to spend for Christmas as you
like. How much do you think would
buy all the return gifts the children
will needT"
"Make It $50"
sand how much for real giftsT
1.-THE poor are not accustomed to as
much as those who are we'll provided
for. l think half Of $50 will do"
every we'll. will draw you a check
for $75."
"But this novelty that wish to intro
duce. Will you personate Santa Claus?"
considering that don't approve Of
your method Of celebrating Christmas.
don't you think It unreasonable to ask
me to take that trouble2 Better let
Jim take the part"
Jim was their son. thirteen years old.
but quite large enough for Santa
Claus. He was delighted at the op
|portunity, and 1t was arranged that on
Christmas even he should appear with
a bag Of gifts. These were to be sole
" for the children Of the Dumont fam
lily. Mrs. Dumont. in Difference to the
wishes Of her practical husband. con
scented that they should all be useful
articles. Billy needed new overcont.
Jenny a dress suitable for dancing
school and children's parties, while
Bob. who was athleucally disposed.
wantpd 81 pair of skates
The Dumonts lived in a row of
twelve brick houses Of equal height
and finish. An end house was vacant.
Jim got permission to dress In this
house for the part he was to play. aft.
er which he would walk over the roofs
Of the houses intervening between II
and his house. open the scuttle and 60
down into second story bedroom.
where the assembled family would be
waiting for him. OF course only the
father and mother were to know he
was coming.
When Christmas eve came Jim gath.
cred up the different articles that had
been provided for his outfit, and while
his mother attracted the attention Of
the other children he stole out Of the
house unseen. went to the vacant
building at the end Of the block, open.
ed the door with key that had been
furnished him and. lighting a candle
the gas had been turned of-went up
stairs and put on his suit
He made an excellent Santa Claus
He was FIVE feet four inches in height
and fat, though be added to his flesh
by means Of pillow. BE had on the
fur cap, fur trimmed coat and high
boots that are supposed to belong to
Kriss Kringle. His mask wore be-
nevolent grin
And with rudy cheeks like embers IN
the ashes Of his beard
When Jim had got on all his clothes
he took up his bag. went up flight Of
pteps from the top floor to the scuttle,
pushed 1t open. set his candle on the
step. blew 1t out. emerged on to the
roof and started for bis own home
Passing over several Intervening
houses, he opened scuttle and de-
scended the stairs There were no
lights above the second floor. 80 that
he could neither see nor be seen. He
was about to descend farther when he
heard some one coming up the stairs
Stepping into room. he closed the
door, leaving crack through which
he could peep.
Presently he heard the scratch Of
match. and a gas jet in the hall was
lighted, revealing the face Of a strange
woman. What did 1t mean7 Could
he have got into the wrong house?
His home was the sixth from the end
house. where he had put on bis cos.
tune Had he missed house or
counted too many? 1t didn't matter;
he had certainly made mistake.
The woman. considering that It was
Christmas tine. wore a rather sad ex.
preston. She went Into bedroom
opposite the one In which Jim was con.
realed and looked down on few toys
4 meager Christmas provision-laid
out on a bed. then. closing the door
behind her. came out into the hall.
jim supposed that she would 60
downstairs again. but instead Of doing
80 she came right into the room where
he was He retreated into q corner,
but was unable to conceal himself. On
perccivlng him the woman started and
gave suppressed cry; but recognis-
,ng Sunta Claus. her appearance and
actions changed ut once
"Oh. Tom," she exclaimed joyfully.
how lovely Of you'll knew that you
wouldn't stay away for Christmas, but
I didn't think you would do this for
the children. Isn't It too delightful for
anything! And what a splendid Santa
Claus you maker
Running to the landing. she called
out: Children. come up herel Santa
Claus has conner
-Four little tots. the oldest nine. the
youngest three. came running up the
stain. the Q,dae tzWhlin4 anl1 IL