Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-12-20
"Oh we didn't walk all the way. A

t the IlCnt I'D I1e WlnuOW mere, L KNEW
we had come TO heaven, so ] just told
the man to stop. And he did. so
you're going to see gTanpa,' he said,
and brother and just said, Yes
, $50 here We Isl" beamed the little
boy. in childish enthusiasm.
"Now tell us what your names are
Bulge and Toddy!" they chorused
graveIy.
"But your other name, your daddy's
name?"
Daddy John" they repeated firm.
". TOT Gould they be shaken in their
( assertions.
"An' we want to see God an Aunt
Elsie an ganpa an Santa Claus. Dad
dy John said We would when We go
to heaven. Can we hang up our stock
lngsT" asked the little girl.
You surely can, dears," said Vesta
heartily.
AN Will we have 'Tlsmus treeT
"An' Santa CLAUSE"
Yesta glanced at her cousin helpless
~. She was now floundcrlng III deer
waters.
Sure :" he pledged In his deep bass
voice, "if you'll go to he'd now and. gel
to sleep You can listen for the rein
deers, and perhaps Santa Claus will fl
up your stockings and bring you g
Christmas tree"
PHIL" calculated Vesta. ut ISM
right to disappoint them.'
He waved her aside. That's al
right, fairy godmother!"
"And will he bring our Daddy JohnF
asked the little girl .anxiously.
"Who knows?" ventured Phil eau
tiously.
But this request was too much fol
yesta, who had already hurried away
toward the attic and certain copper
bound trunk, full Of small garments.
rs that you, Vesta" called her ia
ther's querulous voice.
Yes, dad"
Aren't you in bed yet?' he nut
tered.
I'm going soon, dear" she lied
blushingly, knowing full we'll that the
/ two hours ahead would be busy ones
Assisted by Phil she managed to ge
! two wobbly heads and rwo pair oi
small limp arms and legs into tbs
sleeping garments, for the sandman
had already claimed them.
81 lit fire in the spare room, Phil
we'll Just carry them in there. Do be
/ quiet, for dad mustn't know until morn
ing" she whispered.
THE old reprobate :. T. sait
! Phil under his breath.
Vesta glanced at him reproach
, fully as lie lifted the chubby figure Of
the little girl In his arms, while she
carried the little boy. Shortly after
ward Bulge and Teddy were tucked
| away between warm blankets In the biz
four-poster in the spare room.
Back before the fireplace Vesta and
Phil gazed blankly at each other.
Didn't / tell YOU sO?" volunteered
the latter cheerfulIy. Didn't | tel
you that you're the goddess OF the
hearth? That the Christmas spir!
would come your way tonight? That
you were born to be the mother OF
little chlldren?" he interTogated Ir
| StaCcato tones.
But how are we to live up to our
promises?" she laughed, ignoring his
comments. THE House of Drake j.
embarrassed by its shower Of bless
ings. I have no doubt that We are
entertaining angels unawareS, but now
! that YOU have succeeded in inducing
the Christmas spirit to tarry, why not
try your magic on Santa Claus and bio
/ him bring us trCe?"
Il lose no time in accepting the com
mission. Behold in me an impromptu
Santa Claus, ready to do the bidding
of the vestal virgin. Now for some
druid to lead the way to a forest ri
young balsams."
AT your service" laughed Yesta
gaily. 1T is but eight o'clock" she
said, glancng at the old banjo clOCb
over the mautel. II have an inspira
ton. Come she commanded, snatch
ing her tam.o'-shanter and coat from
the halItree, at the same lime handing
Phil his own coat and hat Five min
utcS later they were on their way
across lots to the balsam grove on The
hillside, armed with the sharpeSt aX
in the ColonelS toolchcSt Soon =
small but symmetrical tree WINS lait
| low.
so far, 50 good" brcathed Phi
cheerfully, shouldcring the cmbyr'
Christmas tree. 81 declare. It's worth
q trip to France, with a train off the
track, to have this experience But
/ how about a Santa Claus rig:"
"Une thing at time, Phil" gurgled
| Vesta in 50 girllSh voice that the
man was almost startled. Il declare
this tarrying Of the Christmas spirit
entertaining guests unawarcs, playing
n veStal virgin and being druid all
in one night IS rather cxhilarating
Maybe we'll have a real Christmas yet
Poor dad and mumScy. I'm wonder.
ins.
zone thing at n time. NCSta." mOCfpd