toober-chlosis bugs_" Frontispiece

"_He looked like a man who had lost nine hundred dollars, but he did
not look like Santa Claus_"




THE THIN SANTA CLAUS


Mrs. Gratz opened her eyes and looked out at the drizzle that made the
Christmas morning gray. Her bed stood against the window, and it was
easy for her to look out; all she had to do was to roll over and pull
the shade aside. Having looked at the weather she rolled again on to
the broad flat of her back and made herself comfortable for awhile,
for there was no reason why she should get up until she felt like it.

"Such a Christmas!" she said good-naturedly to herself. "I guess such
weathers is bad for Santy Claus. Mebby it is because of such weathers
he don't come by my house. I don't blame him. So muddy!"

She let her eyes close indolently. Not yet was she hungry enough to
imagine the tempting odour of fried bacon and eggs, and she idly
slipped into sleep again. She was in no hurry. She was never in a
hurry. What is the use of being in a hurry when you own a good little
house and have money in the bank and are a widow? What is the use of
being in a hurry, anyway? Mrs. Gratz was always placid and fat, and
she always had been. What is the use of having money in the bank and a
good little house if you are not placid and fat? Mrs. Gratz lay on her