OCR Text |
Show 1 A Burcjtar Christmas IT WAS midnight on Christmas Christ-mas Eve. Seven-year-old Jack, having baffled the sand-man sand-man since eight o'clock, tossed back the covers and crept downstairs. Now, at long last, he would learn the truth about Santa Claus. Man or myth? Chimney Chim-ney sweeper or a lovable old red-nosed gentleman? When the clock struck one Jack was still sitting patiently in the chair by the fireplace, watching the embers em-bers glow and wane. Tinsel on the nearby Christmas tree glistened. It was all very exciting, but where was Kris Kringle? The noise Jack heard a moment later might have been Santa but it didn't come from the chimney. Quickly the boy jumped back in the shadows while he heard the dining din-ing room window raise slowly. A gush of cold air, heavy footsteps, and then Jack heard the window close. Frightened, he crept forward until un-til he could see where blue moonlight moon-light filtered into the dining room. . There Jack saw not Santa Claus but a masked burglar, systematically systematical-ly looting the silverware! Seconds later his softly slippered feet carried the lad upstair into his parents' bedroom. The boy shook bis father. "Dad!" he whispered loudly, eyef blazing. "Dad! Wake up!" "Grrummph," came the sleepy answer. "A burglar. Dad! Wake up! Call the police!" Not waiting, Jack reached for tht j bedside telephone himself. His mother moth-er still slumbered. , "OperatorT" h asked. "8od tha police oyer to our house right awayl 'There's a burglar downstairs!" By that time it was out of Jack' ,hands. His parents were wide awake now, clinging to their hero Jack reached for the telephone himself. son and listening. During tht next two minutes they heard a stark drama downstairs the dining room window opened and closed. In the distance, growing ever nearer, was the hum of a motor which they knew would be the police car. They heard it stop outside. Then came a shout, "Stop thief!" A brief scuffle, and they knew the burglar was captured. Next morning Jack was awakened by his father. "Son," he began, eyes twinkling, "I forgot to ask last night how you happened to hear that burglar." Jack blushed. "I was downstairs, Dad, waiting for Santa Claus. Wanted to see if he really does come on Christmas eve." His father laughed heartily. "But Jack!" he protested. "Don't you know that Santa Claus never comes when little boys and girls are watching? I'll bet he's been here by this time, though. Let's go see!" Downstairs Jack's surprise was divided di-vided between two equally fascinating fascinat-ing subjects. Around the Christmas tree were more presents than he'd ever seen before, including a brand new bicycle! But off to one side was a Jolly looking, blue-uniformed policeman. "Sonny," the copper began. "That burglar you captured last night was 'Lightning Pete,' a most notorious house breaker." Jack's jaw dropped. "Best of all," the policeman continued, con-tinued, "there's a $500 reward for his capture, and it all belongs to you. Here's the check." Jack could barely say "Thank you," so amazed was he. "I guess," he finally mumbled, J "that Santa Claus is wearing a blue uniform this year." (Released by Western Newspaper Union.) |