A Very Little Christmas Tale

A party of gentlemen wero discussing Kris Kringle and the day's events at the Auditorium dispensary. All or nearly all were relating the erperiences of the night bi'fore or that morning witb the little folks. "Boys," said one of the party. a big f urniture man on Wubash avenue, "I want to teil you what my little youngster said when he saw the Christmas tree. He is the baby of the house and has taken a most absorbing fancy to his papa. 1 seem to be to his babyish fanoy the be-all and end-all of humanity. My wife and I fixed up the tree last night, and this morning we opened her up just a little after daylight. Three pairs of eyes were all ablaze, but the fourth little pair seemed to be missing something. Tli6 little one of course understood that Santa Claus bronght everything, and as Santa Claus had been very liberal older heads marveled somewhat at the indifference of the baby boy to his gifts. Pretty Boon the little fellow laid his toys away with a kind of bored expression, and climbing on my knee he lisped, 'Papa, did Thanta Claus bring dose sings?' I said, 'Yes, dear,' repeating the conventional lie. The little chap put his inouth to my ear and whispered, 'Papa, I don't care for Thanta Claus - what is 00 doin' to diz me?' Boys, máybe I didn't go off and buy that baby something. and give it to him out of my own hand. Sometimes I think the Santa Claus fable ought to be relegated to the top shelf. That little boy cared nothing for Santa Claus or for his gifts. He did love his papa and