The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-07
Approves of The Times
Idea of Making
Merry.
WILL DISTRIBUTE
PEOPLES GIFTS
Contributions VIII Be Kept by St.
Nicholas Girl Until the
Big Day.
BY SELENE ARMSTRONG,
The St. Nicholas Girl

Santa Claus and the st. Nicholas Girl
had an exciting time getting together
for a chat today.
Many children whose mothers had
read them what the merry old man
had TO say I'm Mondays Times about
filling the stockings of the poor and
the sick children Of Washington. were
on the streets looking for him, for they
knew that at some time during the day
ne would go to call at The Times Of
fee and talk to the st. Nicholas Girl.
But Santa Claus was too cleve- to be
caught With his great coat pulled up
about his ears, and a big Hunler tied
so as to conceal his flowing white
heard, the sly old man manag "a, after
so long time. to reach the Nunsey
Building, where his arrival created
great excitement.
First. there was the mail to be opened,
bags full Of letters telling what simple
things it will take to make the poor
children of Washington happy. one
little boy who is lame wants picture
books, while a sturdy little urchin has
set his heart on g. ball and bat Others
ask for tin soldiers. automatic engines,
games, dolls, doll carriages, and so on,
throughout the list Of playthings that
satisfy the make believe needs Of these
little men and women.
Opens His Mail
While OLD Santa was opening his mail
he grew quite confidential, and told the
St. Nicholas Girl stories that would
make you cry about these same children
for whorn The Times is planning a
merry Christmas.
There is one little girl he said who
has almost raised a family witrOut ever
having hac a doll 70 play with. Her
name is Vera SimOnof. and since she
was six years old, she has been little
mother to her brothers and sisters And
yet, the stern realities of life have salts
fed neither her heart nor her magma
ton. She wants doll for Christmas,
10 use her own words a pretty, clean
doll. with blue eyes. and a white dress
on And all over the poor districts OF
Washington there are these same Vera
SimOnonS children who are women be-
you see, my dear. Old Santa Claus,
IN making his rounds. learns more sad
ness than all the doctors and preachers
phan asylums and hospitals These
little shut-Ins lie on their narrow cots.
and between cries of pain talk about
santa ClaCs, ana what ne Is 70 put IN
their stockings Christmas Eve. And
one small gift from each well and happy
person in Washington would make a
fairy holiday for these little ones"
Big Room Ready.
A. The Times Office, the St Nicholas
Girl IS ready TO receive the gifts for
the Door children Of the city. A room
as big as Santa Claus heart has been
provided, and here the TOYS will be
stored until Christmas eve. Then a
general advisory committee, consisting
Of ave prominent men and women whose
names will h announced later, will
distribution Of the gifts 1t is hoped
ahat many of the City's automobile
owners will lend their machines for an
hour or TWO, as the sleigh will be over
crowded All toys received VIII be fu-
migated ty the board OF health before
distribution, ia order 60 avoid any pos
siule danser Of cOntagion.
These are the days of Christmas buy
ing The shops are gay with happy
women and children, and the glitter OF
tiusel. The CHEEKY glow of hundreds OF
crimson lights wreathed In ETecn, pro
claim the approach Of the day which
has been cOnsccraJed to the joy OF little
children. When you are filling the
stockings In your own happy home, re-
member that single new toy, nOWevei
simple and Inexpensive, viii aid The
Times I'm carrying out It's great plan
Tor the children who think Wl=tfully of
Christmas as Of some joy reserved FOR
those born under a happier star
The toys sent the st. Nicholas Girl al
The Times, however, need not Doe new
Have YOU discarded dolls and books
Have you any OutgrOWn caps and NIT
tens Are there engines or whistles of
which your children have tIrCdT
Then Rack -nem up this minute, anc
address them 20 the ST. Nicholas cir
OF The Washington Times.
Letters Pouring In.
Letters to Santa Claus are pouring ir
BY hundreds. and they have an been
read by both Santa end the St. Nicholas
Girl Here are a few of the many
which were received after the ST
Nicholas Girls interview with Santa
was published in Mondays Times
Dear Santa Claus: 4 will write you a
few lines TO let you know what i want
for Christmas. I want "A music roll. a
white sweater with pockets gold
Iocket and chain, a sled, a box OF hand.
berChiefs. I am eight years old. 1--we
~ Thirteenth street southwest city
THELNfA THOMPON.
) would like you % bring my baby
sister some things. Her name is Myra
and she is three months old She want,
q rubber DOLL a white billy goat. She
lives 40 Thirteenth street southeast city
Dear Santa Claus am a little bol
eleven years old. ] would like 70 have
daisy afr rifle and a pair cowboy
years old she would like 10 have ViOll
doll and "a doll babies bed and my LITTLE
brother five years old would Ike SAINT,
TO bring bim a small velocipedes ant
q drum And my little baby siste
would like 20 have doll baby and SCI
of dishes This is our first letter deaI
santa Claus Well, please remember
us? Ny name b. EDWIN J.. DONALD
son. 1873 Florida avenue northeast