Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1917-02-08
The Elliott Family's
Christmas
Santa Claus Did Not Come
Down the Chimney
BY ELINOR MARSH

the lists of things they wanted and
otherwise prepare for the joyful ami
versary, when Mr.. Elliott came home
from business one evening and an
nounced to his wife that he was oblig-
ed to go on journey that would keep
him away for several months.
The first the children knew of this
move was seeing their mother pack
their fathers trunk.
Where is papa going?" asked Ma
mie, the oldest child
He is going on a Journey" was the
reply.
HE isn't going to be away for Christ
mas, is he?"
Il fear he will be away for the holi-
days"
"Oh, mammar
There was terrible disappointment
In the child's voice. Mr.. Elliott was
very affectionate and kindly father,
and Christmas without his presence
would hardly seem Christmas at all to
his family. The news spread among
them, and it gave every one of them a
shock.
IF papa can't be with u.s." said one,
Il don't care for Christmas"
II wish Christmas could be put of
till he comes back" said another.
Mrs. Elliott was too disappointed her
self to give them much comfort. She
continued her packing, and when all
was ready she and the children babe
the husband and father sad adieu.
Then the mother endeavored to light
en- the load so far as possible for her
little ones, but her heart was not in
her work, and 1t was not effective.
Christmas day was near at hand.
The postman had been bringing pack
ages for the Elliott family for ten
days. Mrs Elliott had examined the
addresses. noted where and whom the
packages came from and then stored
them In some place where the children
could not get them, for they knew the
| packages contained Christmas presents,
and every child was burning to open
them and see whom they were for and
all about them. But the mother would
give no indication whatever concern
ing the gifts. telling her little ones that
| they must wait till Christmas.
One morning the postman called,
but, much to the children's disap-
| pointment, brought not a single pack
age. He delivered one letter.
When.Mrs. Elliott opened ard read 1t
she kissed every child, assuring them
that the letter was worth all the pres
| ents that had come hundred times
| over.
Then there was II hubbub to know
what the letter was about. Johnnie,
aged six, said he believed it was from
Santa Claus in answer to letter he
had sent asking for rocking horse
| for Christmas. Mamie. aged eight,
| said she believed 1t wasn't about
Christmas at all. but something else.
When they had all had their turn at
guessing the mother told them that 1t
| ing that this Christmas, if the children
would be good, they should see him
| and he would bring each one Of them
something pretty.
Then they all wanted to know at
what time of day Santa Claus would
come.
"Of course he'll come in the middle
of the night" said Johnny. I'm 60
ing to keep awake and listen for the
sleigh bells"
'He wouldn't come then" said Billy.
aged four. "He says we're to see him.
How could we see him in the middle Of
the night?"
They tried to find out from the moth
er Just when Santa Claus would come,
but she would not tell them, saying
that they must be on the watch and
promising that the one who saw him
first would receive silver dollar for a
prize. With that the children declared
they would remain awake all Christ
mas eve and watch the chimney. But
Mamie. aged eight said that she didn't
believe Santa would come down the
chimney at all. If he did that he
would be covered with SCOT, and they
couldn't hug him without being be-
smeared themselves.
Mamma" asked Billy, isn't papa
coming home for ChristmasT'
THAT depends upon whether he gets
through his business
What's business?"
Business Is that which produces the
money to feed and clothe you children
and send you to school and buy toys
and things for you"
Mamie declared that she would rath.
er have papa at home for Christmas
than all the gifts Santa Claus could
carry to all the children In the whole
world
1t seemed long while before Christ
mas, though 1t was but two days from
the time Mrs. Elliott received her let
ter. The children in the meanwhile
were on the tiptoe of excitement. At
one time there was the odor of hot
mince pie In the house; then the wagon
from the meat market stopped before
| the door and fha furloy pao b.o,ok.