SANTA CLAUS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 3 December 1913, Page 2

SANTA CLAUS.

AND THE WELLINGTON STRIKE. (Contributed.) "Mamma/' said a languid-looking girl of eight summers in a Wellington home tho other day. "Is it time that we aro 'not see Santa Claus this year?" "No, my dear, no—l'm afraid we shati't," said the woman, with a look which spoke sadness, and remorse. "Why* mamma ? Will Santa Claus not visit Wellington?" "Oh, yes, I suppose he will, but—" "But what? Willie Jones said Santa Claus was coming to his house, and-he is going to put ut> his stocking. Why can't I?" "Well, you see, dear, you shouldn't ask isuch questions. Your father is out of work, and we have all we can do to keep you in food." 4 "Yes, mum, I know it. ain't much we've had.. lately. But why don't ffather work?"

"Now, dear, don't ask such silly questions-—the strike is on!". 'The strike? What is a strike, mummy ? Why is the strike on ?" "I really can't tell you, d«ar. Dadd;' knows—least he says he does; and he don't bring us home no money now'!"

"Oh, dear, mummy; I do wish father would bring you so-no money, so that we could see Santa Claus, the same as other girls!" "Now, don't bother mo! Go to bed like a good girl. Santa Claus can't come this year." (Hiding her face in her and; sobbing): "The strike is on! The strike is on!" "Why are you crying, mummy?" "I can't help it, dear; I hate to see yotu dear ones having no Santa, Oaus, and no Christmas dinner!" "Aren't we going to have Christmas dinner either, mum ?" "Well, J don't know. It doesn't seem like it. Everybody is strike mad." "Why are they strike mad, mummy?" * "Oh, I don't know! I told ,ypu, before not to ask such silly questions! Will you go to hed?" "All right, dear; I'll go. &W night I But tell daddyt I want; to. Santa Claus same as Willie JoneS) Tell hini' he 'must' ga to work. Tell him I want to put up my stocking and have Christmas dinner like we had last year! Goodnight!" The little one toddled off to bed, little dreaming of the tragedy that was being enacted in that home; little dreaming that her heart-broken mother was cursing the promoters of the strike; not realising that her father was being led to hopeless rain by high-salaried revolutionaries. The mother wept! But the strike continued! There is to be no Santa Claus in that house!