Judge — December 3, 1910 — page 36: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MR. MUGGS PLAYS SANTA CLAUS By NORMAN H. CROWELL IIE neighborhood drew a deep sigh of relief—for the two don’t catch me playing Santa Claus more than once a year at the Muggs boys were in bed. The two Muggs boys were what are outside! This is no regular job, Maria, mind that!" ommonly known as “hard nuts,” and scemed to live with an So it was settled. Mr. Muggs put in a strenuous day among the ruction. Ephraim Muggs, being the fond parent of toy shops, the candy butcher and the costumers. When he the pair, was n blind reached home that evening he was so laden with bundles that he conceming their candid, reeled and staggered like a drunken man. By good luck he suc- they had perforr for the past few ceeded in edging by the house and made his way unobserved to the days. If Muggs had stopped to cogitate barn, where he deposited his assortment on the matter he would have realized that “Heavens! My back!" he muttered, as he felt of it critically. was the next comment, as he the near approach of Christmas might have “1 could cat a mess of rivets’ had an in on their conduct transferred his exploration from his spine to his stomach. Mr. Muggs had been sitting humped up Mrs. Muggs fed him. The tea was a trifle weak and chilly~ in his chair for nearly an hour, when he the chicken was cold and clammy, and the biscuits seemed tough— suddenly hunched forward and stroked his chin with decision facts which he noted at once with careful attention to detail Tell you what, Maria!’ he ejaculated, in a C r “Oh, well, Ephraim, remember it's Christmas Eve, and that you had a confidential ring to it; “I'm going to spread outa little this are not yourself Christmas. Ive always been wantin: lo it—and this time I'm to-night," said going to.” his wife, apolo- His wife dropped her knitting and spent a moment or two recos getically ing it. Then she gazed sully and calmly at Mu and wearily “Eh? How's that jerked Ephraim, what do you think you're going to do, 1 Muggs, as he wonder?’ snapped at a “Can you keep a sceret, Maria—if it kills you?” he asked wing. “My! Is it as bad as that?" “Why, you “I'm—pretty near. I'm going to be Santa Claus!” A weak smile flitted across Mrs. } face. Then she sig Her knitting was resumed © patience and placi Yes," continued Mu “TM do it right, too, [Ml make the boys have some respect for the spirit of the thing. Of course won't know it's me—PI sce to that part all right!” Mrs. Muggs drew out a needh sed it critically, and jat Slow, Maria, it into her work slow! The boys'll “LM put in the day to-morrow getting the presents and th: hear you Santa Claus costume. You can tell the boys that if they're good and hang their stockings up in front of the firepl: Jd Santa they're both will visit ‘em sure, After they're asleep, I'M get In sound asleep in you can wake ‘em uy ake ‘em to the head of the t bed! ‘em watch me at work. When I get through I'll You don't up the fireplace, sneak say! What time It'll be a great thing for t sreat!” is it anywa About what titne of th H nraim?"* asked Quarter of his wife eigh: rid Mrs, I'm — w Muggs, after a —if you get the — glance at the boys to bed at clock. eight, I think I “Humph! My can stage this watch says six act for nine thirty —guess I forgot to wind it. all enjoy y¢ well prepare for effort. It is a theslaughter,eh? little unusual, ackle it and get it through with —that's me, you NO MORE FOR HIM. “Unusual? Of Rind of Are you going to skate any more to-night, Dick?” Cross Section or a Curistaas Pupvine. course itis! You rejuvenates a “No; I'm throug! comicbooks.com