The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1919-12-11
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Julia persuaded her husband to take
little Bobbie downtown so that he
could not surprise her trimming the
tree. Brother Jim and the old folks
went along.
Little Bobbie naturally was most
Of all interested In the toy depart
ments and hardly could be made leave
hold some of the playthings he most
fancied.
"Oh see, daddiel A horsie that
: rocks, with a name and bride and
ever'thing!.. And oh, grandma
looliit lookit! There's a real live
Santa Claus talking to those other
little boys and girls -
II was indeed. The big store had
hired a rather shabby-looking young
man that week, who for SIS was sup
posed TO sit at the door Of an imita-
ton snow house and solemnly encour-
age visiting youngsters to tell him
their fondest wants in the line Of pres
ents. Little Bobbie was impatiently
waiting in line, holding fast with one
chubby fist to his fathers hand, in no
time. Mother and father Morris, and
big brother Jim watched and waited
smilingly for them on the edge of
the crowd.
"Well, my little man, what is your
name?" asked the scarlet-coated and
long white-whiskered Santa Claus in
tired. husky voice when Boobies
turn finally came.
"I'm Bobbie Wallace, dear Mr.. Santa
Claus, and live at 5601 Byrne street"
/ the boy chirruped at him, round-eyed
and devoutly believing in the identity
of Santa my mammals name is Julia
Wallace and I've got a little baby
sister now, too"
The long-whiskered Santa patted
his head in perfunctory WEAKNESS.
"And what do you most want me to
put in your stocking this Christmas
Eve, Bobbie?" he asked with a side.
long glance at the tolerantly smiling
father.
"We-ell," drawled Bobbie uncer
tainly, there are lots and lots OF
things / want awful, awful much
Mister Santa Claus, but / heard my
mamma say this morning that it's
ever so much nicer to wish for things
for those that love you than for your
self. So L.. guess, ought to ask you
10 keep my poor old grandma Morris,
who's got white hair now, from wor-
rying and crying any more over her
boy Dan. You see, Mister Santa, my
uncle Dan ran away from home a
long, long time ago, before was born,
and my grandma keeps saying she
can't rest until she sees him again.
She's visiting my papa and mamma
at home now. and ] saw present she
has all wrapped up and labeled for
uncle Dan II you'll be good enough TO
find him and bring him out to our
house tonight. Won't you do that,
please, mister Santa?"
With a choking cry the white
.whlskered one stumbled to his feet,
nearly upsetting his little snow house
md searching Bobbie's wonder-round-
ed eyes I'm hungry disbelief.
IOu dTt Julld 0lOHEis litllc DOyt
he muttered dazedly. And you say
that. that your grandmother really
wants her worthless runaway Dan to
come back to herr Ifs waiting here
in the city for him now7 Oh. my
= God"
Fred, Boobies father. caught at
the Santa's arm as he reeled un-
steadily sidewise as II about TO faint,
and In so doing knocked OF the bushy
white whiskers.
"Awl' walled Bobbie, facing his
first childish establishment, "he isn't
real Santa after ALL"
Back through the amazed and
rather indignant crowd Of shoppers
old mother Morris was coming as fast
as her trembling legs would permit
and above the noise and calls OF
clerks at the counters, could be heard
her thrilling. quavering outcry:
Danny Oh, Danny Danny I've