Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-22
JOY
10 lvQUIRING BOY
e Patriot Didn't Want
lim to Come Around if
He Was German
iAUs REAssUREs HIM
1ofeupon Young America Parts
With Coin to Help Missions
4. Poor Box

nay. Kris Krinsle, are you Ger
kfl One OF the magnihcer,ly relocated
&/Anta Clauses who decorate the shop
(ng district at this season on behalf OF
<ffoA American Rescue Workers found
xHUH1elf confronting this question to-day.
Iio interrogator was a youngster OF
{4kt whose faith IN an old friend was
|ottefing under new-found patriotism.
RI "Because IL you are German" the lit
}'tle boy continued bravely, ~ want to
toll you not to come TO our house this
Y year, We've don't want no nenemy
oIiens around. My pop said SO"
"A And then the young patriot began to
cry bitterly, because although 1t IL fine
\ a. love your country an empty sock on
,chrtstmas morning is tragic--when you
Ayp ten.
The Santa Claus was honestly per-
X pIoxed. He leaned on the contribution
t box which means dinners for poor fam
g 1liss and toys for children II 1t is only
fnil enough.
XII well, sonny" he replied slowly see
lng as how I'm working for women and
Is uktldren you couldn't rightly call me a
Hun, could you'"
s The youngster shook his head violently
and big teardrop went hurtl'ns into
tpaos.
"And seeing likewise that I'm Mister
Santa Claus and not Herr Kringle I
don't see why your dad need strafe me
II I drop around on Christmas Eve"
"Then you're gonna come" the ten
year-old demanded with new life in his
Voice
"You bet" Claus replied. "My slogan
fs Christmas as usual. Berlin or not
Nov, Kripgle he's different member OF
the family We go all over the world
because there are children everywhere.
In Berlin, Herr Kringle drinks arheuser
end cries Hoch Just like everybody else.
And when he puts a Zeppelin or a Big
Bertha in a junglings sock he SAYS Ia
Out! That's because he believes In
peutschtum and wears his mustache
poined like the Kaiser. But | wear a
goatee like Uncle Sam. Look at this.
.chin.
''That's sight, you do" chirped the
young ope, much relieved
"And l know the second verse of the
\ ee9Ar Spangled Banner which Is more
than you do Claus added severely
4 The little boy admitted it.
For that" said Claus. you ought to
give me a penny for the box 1t will
help some other kid to have gooc
Christmas. as usual"
eDont forget now" he called at part
ing. you'll be around"
" "Sure," said Claus, America first"
The dialogue is only one of many that
brighten the long vigil of the mission
Sarta Clauses. They are finding the
} sDouRributions somewhat simmer this
-yAlson because of the increased dema n DIS
: pf war relief. And 1t discourages the
!. .esd-coated band somewhat. because they
sHsw that more applications than were
!. ever received before have been turned
In to General William ]. Dufiir at the
main headquarters. 2s27 Frankford ave-
nue.
y Between 300 and 400 baskets contain
ln9 chicken and fsxin's will he distributed
fepm mission brar ch at s3l Race
&ofeet on Christmas eve. General Duffln
.Uoa arranged to supply baskets to poor
yVQilies In the Kensngton district also.
I Apa.fhe women have been notified to call
ut the Frankford Averue headquarters
IA O'Clock on Monday afternoon
6hr3stmas Day is the occasion for an
.Ather big celebration at headquarters.
NAere 900 youngsters will he the guests
nf the mission and supplied with toys
oA4 candy. The success of the entire
suterprtse depends upon tho pennies that
-the Santa Clauses receive. So no won
z3er they don't want to he mistaken for
-{4trmans. As the Crown Prince would
nay. Achl Schrecklicheit