Evening journal., 1916-12-16

Santa Claus stood on the cold, blus-
terv street corner Sesidc the Ui,od
from which swung tin pail inviting
coins Of all denominations. He chafed
his mittonsd hands together and stood
on first one foot and then the other. II
was .bitterly cold
Philosophically be viewed the crowds
Of humanity that swept past in hurry
ING throncs. Comparatively few
s'grown-ups' apparently had the time to
clink coin in.o the yawuing pail, while
but few children, the majority of whom
he noticed seemed very sophisticated.
sto1pcd to shake the ioyial saint by the
hand or 10 tell him what they "mostcst
wanted him 10 bring them.
Santa was discouraged. To meet dis
iilusionment is always disconraeing,
aud the crowds that hustled and bus led
by evidently had little room in their
hearts Tor the warm, jovial saint
Wrapped IN gloomy thought, Santa
poudercd the matter gravcly Why
was it that no LONGER he figure of jolly
St Nicholas had the power TO thrill and
happily excite folksi Passing from the
thought Of skcpticism win which the
world seemed apparently afflicted. Santa
veorned for the opportunity TO prove
The reality Of the rood saint. II he could
only some how show chose cold. disil
lnsioned nassershv that the vision Of
Santa Claus was not actual personality.
bur the warmth Of the Christmas spirit
embodied in ones heart. That without
the good old saint there would be no
soul 10 Christmas
nSav, you'sc neach Of a Sandy
Claws now, ain't clewg" n boys sharp
voice in back of him broke in upon his
gloomy revery.
You can't fool me- continued the
wiser by far thanh years.voice OF the
bov. who came lust above Santa's elbow.
and whose dirt-streaked face. unSempt
head. minus hat or cap, collarless shirt
nnd hiittonless coat at once placcd him
in the urchin class. Santa, taken some
what aback by the rather vigorous de-
nunciation, met his accuser with silence
and a stern look
Think I'm ninny that l don't
know you'se some guy dressed up?'
sUmph. guess not WOt chew tink
am? Pop amt switched me every
day all my life for nothin'.' con-
cluded the boy giving the kettle a
poke and making il rattle.
rs that so" queried Santa, land
what makes you think there is no
Santa Claus, son." he asked, cycling
the boy closely.
'Umphl Can't bluff me?' replied
the youngster. wisely shaking his
tangled head. Il amt no fool II some
kids is. Say Mr. Man, how much
chew get for making belief you's
Sandy" he added.
Santa's eyes frightened; he actu-
ally looked eager. Here was his OPP
portunity TO prove that the good
saint was real and true and not
myth. as some would have us be-
lieve.
Say. SON." he said slowly. and
paerlng at the boy closely under his
bushy eyebrows, Il just can't believe
that you really. truly think there Is
no Santa Claus? Honest to good
ness can't ku" he added in a
deeply perplexed voice. why
whoever in the world has been put
ting that notion into your head doesn't
know how to spell the word good p"
Jaw say, now" interrupted the
rrchin, don't try TO hand me no josh.
amt Percy nor Archibald. neither. And
amt bin TO Sunday school but twicei
In my life. onct to enroll and onct' ter
git a box OF Christmas candy, ana
gosh! they handed that to me ike
they was doing me the biggest favor
ever They had guy there, 100 All
dressed up as Sandy Claws. OUT !
was on. They couldn't fool me. ]
seen him both going In and coming
ont an he was a some tall. skinny
legged. sharp n0sed feller wat looked
like he'd bin fshed outer the vinegar
barrel. SO don't try ter put nothin'
like that over on me, Mister. I'm wise.
II Sandy's a true poison, you gotter
show me, I'm from Missouri
santa leaned closer toward the
Listen to me, son" he said with
strange earnestness. his voice tense
and fun OF the human note which
canpht and held the boys attention
inst as the human touch always VIII
ssSanta Claus is real. just as real az
Won or me. Honest" He paused 70
iet This statement sink IN, ana attei
minute continued. ,-..a
.sput he isn't the lumpy, red-cloSkeo
creature that stalks each year AT sun
dav school entertainments; neither Il
he the fellow who stands on the street
corners Ike stuffed ripe tomatoes
tinkl,nr little bells and hold ne oul
I'm Guns for coin. Not much he isn't
"santa Claus is not a person He Is
spirit. he Is love for ones fellow
man: he is the spirit which serves
others. which seeks 10 extend cheer
he Is fellowship. the embodiment o.
the living truth, fire Of the faitf
peace ON earth, good will TO men
he is God In the heart Of mankind.
santa paused an instant then See
ing that he had carr ed the bo,
with his own enthusiasm, he contin
ued
"See that white cloud up yonder?'
1.-THE boys eyes followed the up-point
ing finger OF Santa). that's Santar
sleigh being drawn by ten reindeer
and he's coming TO this old earth 81
fast that he'll be here before th'
worlds half ready for him. And SCI
those doorways? (Santa pointed 4
the doorways OF the sbores). "They'r'
Just chock full OF tiny invisible fairies
and elves who are waiting to tn ~
Santa's sleigh with al sorts of thing
for good kind folks"
Having caught and momentaril.
held the boys imagination, he added
but Of course he don't visit any
where excep, where there's love. IN
selnshness and faith. You got to be
EMUKE <&NRN Uszruwrz pEzunxn 1