Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1888 — A CHRISTMAS FROLIC. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A CHRISTMAS FROLIC.

It was Christmas eve. The air was crisp and keen out doors the stars had a frosty sparkle overhead, though there waa a dim shadow creeping along the horizon that Uncle Jack said meant snow before morning. But it was very bright and cozy in grandma's sitting room where an eager-faced and chattering group of boys and girls sat before the wide old-fashioned fire place in which roared and sparkled a rollicking Are. They had come down to grandpa’s that day with their papas and mammas to spend Christmas, and glowing visions A of festive cheer including a visit from Santa Clans kept up such a tumult in their thoughts that their eyes were brimming with expectation, cropping out now and then among the boys in some irrepressible antic on the earpet. The capacious old Eastern farm hpusi had been overflowing with life and men unent all the afternoon, for not only was there a family gathering of aunts, uncles amKwoumns, but several poor children of the neighborhood, whom grandma never failed* to take under her generous wing at Christmas time, were there, too. and there had been such popping of corn and cracking of nuts in the great kitchen that when Uncle Jack set a basket of fragrant “pippins” and “golden sweets” down in their midst after supper, they were tired enough to settle down a little and eat apples and speculate on the advent of Santa. “ I s’pect he’s loading up somewhere this very minute,” said demure little Boss. “ Yes,” answered her sister S,ue, *and how can he ever get all the things in; and what a big - , long memory he must have.” “Oh, you leave that to him.” said Cousin Ben, with a superior air, sustained by confident visions of a much-desired pair of skates, “ he’s l>een in the business too long to make any mistakes.” The prospective Christmas dinner did not escape comments, for they had caught glimpses of the plump turkeys and game in cook’s charge, and managed a peep or two into the odorous depths of the pastry el beet, where appetizing stores mince-pies, karts and frosted loaves were just waiting for tomorrow. Grandma was bustling about, looking after everybody, patting a curly head here and giving baby a toss there; her face shining with such love, peace and good will that she looked the living embodiment of Merry Christmas in herself. Presently someone came in with the announcement that itliad clouded over and was snowing fast. Sure enough, there wasn’t a star to be seen, and the air was full of the white flowers of the sky, “as if somebody had spilt a feather bed,” said dimpled Fannie who had climbed up to see and flattened her funny little nose on the pane against which the big flakes were dancing and fluttering in the streaming lamplight outside. The older people withdrew to the parlor, and some one proposing a. game of “ blind man’s buff,” the fun was waxing fast and furious when suddenly there was a jingling of sleigh bells outside, a stamping and commotion in the hall, the door swung open, and in burst a tall, white-bearded figure with such jolly Christmas greetings and such a merry langh, that grandma, who approached just then from the parlor, declared that it must be Santa Claus himself. Everybody rushed in, and nobody had a doubt ofit.forhe was covered up to the ears in a huge fur overcoat from which he shook the snow in showers, a tall, fur cap half-hiding a cheery, round face, and such a backload of mysterious packages that after the first start of delighted surprise the children needed no second invitation to help him off' with his burden.

Oh, what fun it was and haw he was de dared “just the bsstest Santa” by the woe ones, and credited by the older ones with superior wisdom, for didn’t everybody get just what they wanted the most ? * There was the veritable pair of skates for Ben, the great flaxen-haired Inanity, with eyes that would “go to sleep and wake up,” that Bessie had seen in her dreams, a cunning little chest of tools for ingenious Freddie, a treasure of a workbox for Sue, a dainty writing cose for Jennie, and no end of bright pictured books, marbles and toys of all descriptions. After a great deai of joyful tumult and jostling about and distribution by grandpa, it was found that nobody wim forgotten, to cook and John in the kitchen, who had useful presents, and even dear old Lion, the big Newfoundland, had a braird new collar with his name on it.

Now, for such a busy fellow os Santa must be, this was wonderful, the, you ng folks thought, and when they turned to say so, and thank him for coming so early, and have a good look at dear old canto, they only heard the front door shut hurriedly, a jingle of bells, jj clatter of hoofs t hat must be reindeer without doubt, and the wonderful vision of Santa had disappeared. If anybody was inclined to be skeptical there were the presents as solid and most agreeable proofs to the contrary, you see. “Is Santa any relation to us?” said Kate in an aside to mamma an hour later, ** ’cause his voice sounded Homelike Uncle Jack’s, and he wore a. coat that looked like grandpa’s big one turned inside out, you know.” . “ Oh,” said grandma. “ I suppose he is a little related to everybody, especially the children,” which explanation was quite satisfaa tory.

Little Jennie—“ Well, I hope Santa Claus will come to our house before,he Sils this lady’s stocking!” Rejoice, our Savior he was bent On Christmas Day. in the mornings —[Washington fiving.

LOOKING AHEAD.