Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-12-21

taken place. Then she went back to
the room from which she had come and
resumed her Christmas preparations.
For an hour the gentleman ques-
toned Billy and drew from him a dis
connected account of his life. He was
principally interested in that part of
Billy's wanderings which pertained to
the child's visit to San Francisco
when gold was discovered in the ter
ritory and there was great hegira of
gold hunters. For Billy told him about
the printed papers," as he called
them, and that he had come to the
city on its account. But the trip to
the gold fields had occurred when the
boy was too young to remember much
about it, and he was enabled to give
the gentleman very little information.
Billy took out the pocketbook and
showed the certificate. The moment
his interviewer saw the name of the
mining company printed in large let
ters at the top he opened his eyes in
establishment. The certificate was for
a thousand shares Of stock, and each
lars. 1t was plain that this little or
phan boy, if he really owned that bit
of paper. was very rich Never before
had the gentleman seen such wealth
centered in Il person so near to the
brute creation. The woman returned
and said:
Little boy, you're going to sleep In
this house tonight"
Reckon l couldn't do that never
slept in house."
Its time you did. We're going to
show you what Christmas is Come"
Zone moment her husband inter
posed. LET me have that old pocket
book you showed me-"
Billy gave him the pocketbook. then
Went with the lady to the room where
the children We're. His attention first
fell on a row of stockings dangling
from a mantel
'"This is Christmas eve" said the
lady. Tonight. so the tradition is.
Santa Claus will come down the chin.
ney and fill these stockings with gifts.
This is your stocking. Tomorrow
morning you will find it full of nice
| things"
This was all Greek to Billy, except
that something would be given him. 1t
was new sensation, for nothing had
| ever yet been bestowed upon him
Then he suffered himself to be led up
to bathroom. and after he had been
soaked and the softened dirt rinsed off
him he was taken to a little room with
q white iron bedstead and snowy linen
on it and told to get between the
sheets. he obeyed. but when half an
hour later the lady looked into the
room Billy was not to be seen. She
sought for him and found him curled
up like a dog under the bed instead OF
in it. She thought best to leave him
where he was.
The next morning Billy was dresse,
in some borrowed clothes and stood he
fore mirror to note the change in hi.
appearance. 1t would be impossible t;
say whether he was more astonished III
his clothes or his reflection. Both were
a wonder to him. Then he was take.
downstairs, where the children wer.
opening their stockings and given his
own Santa Claus Offering. He had No
idea as to what most of the thing,
were, but demonstrated that possessio,
Is human instinct by being much de
lighted with everything he took out.
After breakfast the lady took Bill,
into the library and told him the stor,
of the birth of the Christ Child in
manger; how the sins of the worI,
had been redeemed and how the even
had been celebrated once year Thei
Billy was taken back to the children
who taught him games and told hin
stories about what they did how the,
went to school, and Billy absorbrt
every word of it. All day it seemed t
him that he had been translated t
heaven. His lair in the forest bega1
to seem horrible to him. and he won
dered If he would ever become sulIi
GENTLY polished to live among thes
lovely persons.
And the Christmas dinner. Bill
looked at the table. loaded with GOO
things. and seemed to be in stupo
Of wonder. He ate till he could Gran
no more into him.
After dinner the gentleman who ha
questioned him took Billy's pocketboo
and opening it drew forth the certif
Gates Of stock that Billy was going t
San Francisco to see about.
"My boy" he said, christmas re
minds us that we must do for other
beside ourselves. We have given yo
a pleasant Christmas. but it behooye
me to do something far more impol
tant for you. do not doubt that 70
are heir to that which will buy every
thing you can wish for-far more tina
you can enjoy. What was probabl
worthless when your father made a
investment in it Of few hundred do
lars Is now worth hundreds Of thol
sands of dollars. Tomorrow will tax