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When the load had been sufficiently lightened, Billy again took up the reins and the wagon moved on to the fill. Billy was jubilant. His voice could have been heard all over the lake. I'll show you how to do it! I'm the boy! Dog-gone! I can pull this wagon out'a the holes!" Tommy agreed, and his admiration for Billy rose. Oscar, unimpressed and indifferent, followed the wagon. The straining mules, patient and understanding, probably with a sense of humor, were content to have Billy claim all of the glory. The man and woman had a new story.

JACK FROST

The day's work on the farm was over. The "boys" had climbed into the wagons; or, tools on shoulder, were hurrying ahead in the early dusk, to wash up and get ready for supper.

The "Boss" rode with John Myers, a thirty-year-old man, but mentally an eight-year-old boy. John's regular job was teaming. He loved his mules; took good care of them. There seemed to be a mutuality of understanding between them and John, but a day's work for them, as well as for John, was a day's work, so he remonstrated when the "Boss" called attention to a wagonload of potatoes, standing in the field. "John," he said, "that load of potatoes ought to be hauled in tonight. When you get to the barn, unhitch your team, bring them out here and haul them in."

"Them mules is tired. They done a day's work and it's their feeding time; mine too."

"I know that, but that load of potatoes has got to come in tonight; if it don't, Jack Frost will get them."

That settled it for John. An order was an order, even though he could see no sense in it. But he was heard to quietly grumble to himself, as he unhooked his team to go for the potatoes; "Huh! -- them p'tatas is up on that wagon. Jack Frost ain't got no feet 'n legs. How's he goin' to climb up on that wagon to get 'em?"

Well, a little imagination helps sometimes; so does a joke. John's grumble faded out. He chuckled and laughed with himself as he figured how the "Boss" would see that his supper would be kept hot for him, with probably a little something extra on the side. Probably the mules too would get an extra ear apiece. John would see to that. So everything was lovely, and the potatoes came in.

That night in the cottage, all the boys had a laugh with John over his joke with the "Boss" and the "Boss'" ignorance about Jack Frost's climbing ability.

CHRISTMAS EVE

It was Christmas Eve. Night had fallen. The supper hour at the Colony was just over. The early light of the moon was reflected by the newly fallen snow. There were brighter patches of light from the windows of the cottages. The high raised shades gave full view of the preparations made for Santa Claus, -- beribboned holly wreaths, loops and festoons of evergreens, Christmas trees bedecked and alight. At one end of the large assembly hall there was a great table and on it a big keg, cider probably; bushel baskets full of apples; huge trays full of cookies; a tall pyramid of small red boxes, -- candy; a huge stack of filled paper bags, -- peanuts. But the hall was empty of boys. "Strange," said Merri's friend to his wife, as they drove slowly up the driveway, "nobody about. The place seems deserted -- and on Christmas Eve!" But as the car slowed to a stop there came the murmur of many eager but hushed voices from a dark mass that filled the front walk. Before the car had stopped rolling its running boards were jammed with man-sized boys, shouting and pressing their faces against its windows. Voices from the mass on the pavement called "Who is it? Is it him?" and, as the visitors were recognized the answers came from the running boards with more or less of disappointment in them, "Naw, its only Mr. and Mrs. B -- -- ." Then the questions came thick and fast through the lowered windows.

"Who you got with you?" "Did you bring him?" "Is he comin'?" "Did you see him?" And many heads were thrust into the car to see who, if anyone, was on the back seat.

Then the counter questions -- "What are all of you fellows doing out here?" "Got who?" "Bring who?" "See who?" "Who're you looking for?" A joyful shout went up "Santa Claus, Santa Claus." Then a disgusted voice called from the running board "He ain't got him."

But there had to be some cheering news for that crowd and they listened, and interrupted, and clapped their hands, and shouted like the 'kids' they are as it was given to them. And, Oh happy faith! they believed.

"No, we haven't seen him but we heard from him. He's on his way. He'll be here in a few minutes. Professor Johnstone called up Mrs. Santa Claus at the North Pole and she said 'Santy' left Glassboro a half hour ago and that he was due at the Colony at seven o'clock. Come on. Let us out. It's seven right now and we've all got to get into the hall before he does."

Five minutes later the boys, 'The Fessor', Merri and Mrs. Merri, their friends, and every man, woman and child on the place or near it, were in the hall, waiting for Santa Claus. That night not one of us was over five years old.