Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1909 — MRS. SANTA CLAUS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MRS. SANTA CLAUS.

By ELLA E. BARNES.

(Copyright, 1909, by American Preaa Aaaoclatlon.j

FOR several years the proverbial Santa Claus with white beard had visited our Christmas tree to distribute the gifts and dispense his mirthful cheer. Last year he could not come, and as the age la one of womanly achievement he asked permission to send his wife. Of Mrs. Santa Claus we had all heard, but none had seen her, and the announcement of her coming provoked great Interest. Many were the queries remirding her appearance, but none could be answered. A knock at the door announced her arrival, and In came the kind old lady, covered with (cotton) snowflakes, rosy and animated after her long journey, but radiant with loving good cheer and affection for all. she wore a long cloak of bright red homespun (a real antique, borrowed for the occasion) and a wonderful poke t>onnet. an ancient calash, trimmed with gleaming holly and adorned with flowing strings of red and green ribbon. Upon her bands were huge fur mittens, and beneath her cloak, which she threw back from her shoulders, we saw her spotless crossed kerchief and a wonderful lawn apron with green sprigged border. These she was pleased to exhibit to the ladies, for she took a womanly pride In her dress, although she confessed that the styles did not change

very often at the north pole, and, anyway, she was too busy to think of ■uch things.

Afer a short rest, through which she rather gasped her Christmas salutations, she stood to make a short speech before beginning her gracious labor of distributing the gifts from the laden tree. She saxu in part: "Ever since I married Mr. Banta Claus, over 150 years •go, Pre tried to be a real helpmeet . to him. But I’ve never gone around to entertainments before. I’ve done the work In the background, so to •peak, an a good wife should. How•ver. this year Santa’s been dreadfully overworked. Why. just think of all

those Philippine children added to the American list not so long ago, not to speak of the Alaskans and others. Then there’s that bothersome crowd at Panama. So Santa said to me. real coaxing: ‘Hannah,’ he said, ‘this year I’ll have to ask you to help me out by going once before the public. There’s

a tree I’ve always attended, but I can’t possibly gtet there this year. I’ll send the presents as usual, but you go down for me, won’t you, and distribute them for me? A great many ladies speak In public these days, and you needn’t be afraid.’ So, though I’m bashful, I’m here, and please excuse any mistakes I may make. Santa sent his love and best wishes, and I’ve brought you each a polar snowball as a kind of curiosity. I picked them up just before I started out. They’re In my bag here. Thin bag was one of my wedding presents, and I carried It on our first journey. Of course it’s old. but I think so much of It I’d never give it up. See the letters on it—H. S. C. They stand for Hannah Santa Claus. ’Twas the first monogram I ever had.”

The old lady proudly exhibited her old fashioned sole leather satchel and from its capacious depths distributed the polar snowballs. These were formed of white cotton, and each when unwrapped was found to contain a tiuy numbered star. The gifts upon the tree had been previously numbered, and the snowball indicated to each person the gift to be received. Mrs. Santa Claus herself gave the presents and kept the company amused by her comments upon the beauty and usefulness of the various articles. The evening was one of great pleasure and merriment. At its close Mrs. Santa Claus was Invited to come again; but. while she thanked the ladles for their kind thoughts, she said. “I’ll have to see what Mr. Santa Claus says, for I always do exactly as be wishes.”

IN CAME THE KIND OLD LADY.

MRS. SANTA CLAUS GAVE THE PRESENTS.