TELL THE KIDDIES THIS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 259, 24 December 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

TELL THE KIDDIES THIS.

THE STORY I WANT THE CHILDKEN TO BELIEVE ABOUT ME.

Bjy SANTA CLAUS,

To all Right-Minded Parents. Guardians, Trustees, and Others Whom i: may Concern, Greeting,—

Whereas a rumour has reached nrr ears that among a section of modern twentieth-century juveniles of both sexes there exists a lamentable ignorance concerning me. Santa Clans. ana my characteristics, and that many of those who should be my most loyal supporters even doubt my very existeiKC, if indocd they ever heard of it.

I here!.!..' call upon you, Parents, Guardians. Philanthropists. Principals of Schools. Trustees, and others with whom Ins the responsibility for the welfare of the young of whatever rank, station, or <J?gree whatsoever, incontinently to bestir yourselves and to do all that l'es in your power to remedy this deplorable state of affairs without further delav!

And these are th'e thing? that I would havo my little friends and proteges to know, if so be their education has been so neglected by you that fluty are not already familiar with them.

POLAR BE APS APE MY COMPANIONS. First, that I am the merriest, jolliest. happiest,, and most benevolent old gentleman in the whok' world, with the reddest face and the whitest beard that ever was seen, having mv dwelling m> away amid the frozen fastnesses of the mysterious Northland in a lieautiful icepalace full of lovely toys and ppythings. with the Polar bears for mv AiiJv' companions. ami the North Star lor h?y lantern, and that all correspondence should bo addressed "The North Pole, and dropped into the Arc instead of the pillar-box. Hero, in mv ice pinnacled palao->, it should bo pointed out. I sleep the whole year through, until the merry chimes that usher in the lioVv season of ( liristmas rouse mo from my slumbers, when, dashing the icicles from my hair and beard, I spring joyfully from in!b' couch, and harnessing my trusty reindeer to its sleigh, already loaded up with every imaginable toy and sweetmeat, dolls, and tops, and drums, and bon-bons. and chocolate*, and other delights. too numerous to mention—-tart out oil my annual round of visits to bestow seasonable gifts upon my little friend". SecondV. that although as old as tile hills I am just as youthful in heart as the youngest of them all. being immoital. and bv natuiVi oniewhat akin to the lairit*-!. by virtue of which nature I am able to bo in every place at the same time, and 1.-ing also of an adventurouturn of mind, that it pleaseth me t<> mal-j' my entry.stealth'lv and at midnight bv the chimin'.' instead of by the customary and more prosaic door, and I hat t!i > Veeept'iele T prefer ill which to deposit, my gifts is an open and capacious stocking. which on no_ account should lie omitted to be hung in anticipation of my call.

\N!> POOH AHF/ AI.IKK TO J IK. Tliiiv 1 ly. tTi.it I am tlx' o-neci;:l friend of litilo cli:i< 1r• 'ii "I all ranks. stat and <-r<M'il< —lie sure yoti toll them lnviiijr the child <>f the pauper licit one wliit Tc-s ill.Hi the dai'line of the prince in his |>ala <\ ;ind that ii is not my i-li that oni' of then, how-ver poor, hmvevcr niiserahlv circumstanced. should hi* forgotten, and that, if in the moment of 1 he : r mirth mv little friends will five a thought to tliosi? h«s happij.' i>!a<-'d than themselves, and will endeavour to

brighten their lot to some extent, my joy—and theirs —will be increased a thousandfold.

Furthermore, my masters, if wo for your part, realising the deeper and holier truths that lie lx>hintl the poetry ami romance of this blessed season, which truths it will he your privilege to impress upon their little minds as soon as they are able to comprehend them, will help them and mo in this respect, the richest blessings of the Spirit of Christmas shall duly abgnt upon your heads!

Given under our hand and seal at the Court of King Christmas, at Yule, m the tear of Grace nineteen hundred and fourteen.

SANTA CLAUS