South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-24

NEW YORK, Dec. 23.-Seated in
a well appointed Office in the heart
of New Yorks most exclusive the
atrical district tonight, sits Santa
Claus.
He hasn't a round. jolly face, nor
has he snowy hair and beard. and
he doesn't use reindeers to draw
his Christmas offerings-but, never
theless. he is Santa Claus.
He is seated before a beautiful
mahogany desk, nervOusly tapping
his teeth with a silver penholder.
which. If you were numbered among
his intimate friends, would indicate
that Santa is I'm thoughtful mood.
His rather youthful face is sud
denly bathed in a smile and he
reaches into the top drawer of his
desk and extracts a check book. The
pen scratches swiftly across the
pink paper and Santa begins to
chuckle.
Surveying his work with a pleased
air. he remarks. There. / guess
that viii keep the wolf away from
the family elevator" then wheeling
around in his desk chair he rises
and walks meditatively over TO the
window
Below him the Broadway theater
crowds are hurrying home to pre-
pare for the arrival of Kris Kringle
and as Santa glances out upon the
closely mugled throug. he is arous-
ed from his iethargy by the sound
Of footsteps i'm the hall outside.
man of medium height enters the
room with a cherry Hello. George.
What are YOU doing up here this
time of night?"
Santa rummaEes through his
pockets and takes out "a small rib
hor wrapped package, which he
hands 90 the newcomer
Hope YOU smoke your fool self
10 death. Sam he remarks. and
then. resuming his seat at the desk,
he awaits developments.
The man addressed as sam opens
the package and takes out a beauti-
full jeweied cigaret case.
George. that's a wonder. Thank
YOU ever SO much" he gasps. grasp
ing Santa Claus 10y the hand. Il
sent your present home. Now tell
me-what's on your mind?"
III tell YOU what's on my mind,
replies Santa Claus. II can't think
OF the name OF that little chorus
girI we fired the other night-you
know. the one we let go because
she jumped rehearsals."
ooh. The one that said her mother
was sick2 Her name was Mary
Blake. but why bother with her OF
course. that was just the usual
stall"
That's just the trouble. sam.
said santa Claus 1T wasn't a stall.
] found out today that the little
girl has been supporting her invalid
mother and two baby sisters. The
mother needs a trip 20 California
10 save her life. and any kid that is
came enough 10 work in a depart
ment store and take care OF that
mob. sure deserves some fitting
recognition
sam is about 70 reply. but Santa's
pen is already flying across the page
or the check book and after sign
ing his name he whirls around on
his friend and thrusts the pink slip
into his hand.
Here he snaps out in tones
that forestau any argument Take
this check 10 Mary Blake and tell
her that she is 20 quit working in
taat department store Impress
upon her the necessity for a hasty
trip 20 California. Then Tuesday
when YOU come down 20 the office
YOU write Jess and tell him / want
that girl 10 work in the movies uu-
iii she gets her strength back. II
shes any good as on actress tell him
10 pay her what she's worth. II not
well. pay her. anyhow
sam gIances swiftly 40 the check
which is FOR Ss.0Oe. Gee. George. %
he remarks rather softly. you
make It.- feel like "a piker. Do YOU
think old Bonnie Grey has every
thing he needs over ar the hospital
you know. I have a check book,
too"
Hes got about "a million kids.