A SURPRISE CHRISTMAS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 101, 15 December 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

A SURPRISE CHRISTMAS

— -o— Malcolm, David, Janet and baby Betty, had come: in a big ship with mother and father all the way from bleak Scotland to settle in Sunny New Zealand. The children were delighted with the tiny country cottage which daddy had bought, after the dismal house of the big city in Scotland. For a few months after their arrival everything went smoothly, and daddy earned quite a lot of money from their small farm. The three oldest children went to a small school about a mile from home which they already loved. One day, early in December, as they were, trudging homeward, Janet suddenly saiid, "Oh, boys, soon it will be Christmas, and it's baby's first one. Won't she be pleased to hang up her wee sock and to see what Santa will put in it!" This started them talking about the present they would like.. Davy wished for a drum and a gun, Malcolm some tools and a knife, while Janet longed for a golden haired dolly. The weeks sped by, and it was Chnistmas Eve at last. The children had all gone to bed early, so Santa Claus might fill their stockings but naughty, Davy had hung up a small pillow case. Earlier Malcolm and Janet had tried to stop his hanging it up, saying he was greedy, but Davy remained firm and said, "But a, drum is so round, and takes quite a lot of room, does'nt it, mummy?" "Yes, dear replied mother and the children did not see the tear in her eye, so excited they were. Their mother and father sat sadly in the kitchen for they knew the: children would get no presents, as father's crops had failed, and there was no money to pay Santa Claus for .his gifts. "Oh, what shall I say to my bairnies 'in the morning?" he moaned. Perhaps I can explain to them, said mother, "but how disappointed they will be." At that moment a loud rat-a-tat came at the door. Mother ran to the door and opened it. In burst a jolly old gentteman who caught up mother and kissed her loudly, saying, "What does this mean, Mary, I have: nev er seen such dismal faces on a happy might? Come, cheer up," he cjried, clapping father on the back. He was the children's uncle, mummy's eldest brother. The children's father explained thear trouble. Out. bustled uncle to the door a,nd brought in arms

full of brown parcels from the trap outside. "See the kiddies shan't be disappointed," he called. ''even if Sa n ta could not call this year."' Among all the parcels was a huge hamper containing Christmas sweet-meat for the morrow. The next morning saw the children sitting up in bed in raptures over their toys. Everyone had his or her wish fulfiled, even Betty cooed joyously over the rubber animals which came out of her Noah's Ark, and the big furry Teddy Bear. At breakfast they were delighted to see their uncle Jock, and they wondered greatly how he managed to come from Scotland so suddenly. ''Hasn't Santa been good this year,'' cried Davy. <f Yes, laddies," said uncle. "My word, Mary, what a strange Christmas without a fall of snow," remarked her brother. "But a beautiful one all the: sajne," returned mother smilingly. "We are going to love New Zealand. ?-Oh),Mummy,cried Janet! "just see what uncle Jock has! A bonny wee sprig of heather." 'Tt's for you, Mary," said uncle ''Isn't it sweet, I've just been longing for a wee bit of heather bell," said mother.