Page 11 - Among the camps, or, Young people's stories of the war

A CAPTURED SANTA CLAUS.

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H O L L Y H I L L was the place for Christmas ! From Bob
clown to brown-eyed Hvelyn, with her golden hair
floating all around her, every one hung up a stocking,
and the visit of Santa Ciaus was the event of the year.

They went to sleep on the night before Christinas—-or
rather they went to bed, for sleep was long far from their eyes,
— with little squeakings and gurglings, like so many little white
mice, and if Santa Claus had not always been so very punc­
tual in disappearing up the chimney before daybreak, he must
certainly have been cau gh t; for by the time the chickens were

crowing in the morning there would be an answering twitter
through the house, and with a patter of little feet and sub­
dued laughter small white-clad figures would steal through
the dim light of dusky rooms and passages, opening doors

with sudden bursts, and shouting 41 Christmas g ift !" Into
darkened chambers, at still sleeping elders, then scurrying
away in Lhe gray light to rake open the hickory embers and
revel in the exploration of their crowded stockings.