A Meeting with Santa claus.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 August 1910, Page 4

A Meeting with Santa claus.

There is a pretty story in Alunsey 's Mi igazine by .John KemiricK Hangs about "Santa ('laus ami i/it tie Billee." Tito latter wander, away while his mother is in shopping, and presently meets, as he believes, old Santa Clans. Santa in this ease is acting as a sandwichman. but Little Billee knows nothing oi advertising. "Howdidoo, Mr Santa Clans?' said Litle 13i 110 as the other's han<: unconsciously tightened over hiown. "Why, howdidoo, kiddie?" rcplic . the old fellow, glancing down at hi-new-found friend wjth snrpris; gleaming from his deep-set eyes. "Where did you drop from!'" "Oh, I'm out," said Little Billee, bravey. _ "My mother left me a little while ago while she went of! about something and I guess 1 rrof lusted." "Very likely," returned the old saint with a smile. "Little two-by-four Fellers are apt to get losto when they start it on their own hook, specially days like this, wif'i such crowds luistlin' around." "Rut it's all right now," suggestod Litle Billee hopefully, 'Tin found again, ain't I?" _ "Oh, yes, indeedy, you're found all right, kiddie," Santa Clans .suergosted "And pretty soon you'll take me home again, won't von?" said Liu. child "Surest thin you know," answer ed Santa Clans, looking down upo; the bright but tired little face wit.i. a comforting smile. "What might your address be?" "My what?'' asked Little Billee. address," repeated Santa Clans. "Where do yon live?" The answer was a ringing peal ol cliildisli laughter. "As if you didn't know that? cried Little Billee, giggling. ( "Ha, ha!" laughed Santa CI ;UIN. "Can't fool you, can I? It would b-3 funny iif after keeping an eye on you all these years since you were a baldly, I didn't know where vou lived, eh?" Ji,ist then Litle Billee noticed for the first time the square boards that Santa Clans was wearing. "What are you wearing those hoards for, Santa Clans?" lie asked. If the lad had looked closely enough he would have seen a verv unhappy look come into the old man', face; but there was nothing of it in his answer. "Oh, these are my new-fangled back-and-chest protectors, my lad,' lie replied. "Sometimes we havt bitter winds blowing at Christmas, and I have to be ready for them, ft wouldn't do for Santa Clans to coiik down with the sneezes at Christmastime, you know—no siree! The board in front keeps the wind oil my chest and one behind keeps me from getting rheumatism in mv back. They are a great protection against the weather."