The sun., 1918-12-25
Venerable Mr.. Claus Says Men
From Front Shall Have
Best in His Pack.
MANY PARTIES ARE GIVEN
Entertainments and Dinners
by Various Organizations
for Service Men.

on the outskirts of Upernivik, con-
versing with his assistant, Peterdn.
Mr.. Claus was perpiexed He looked
southwark over the world and pulled
his long beard reiectively.
y I'VE must do our very best this
year. Peterlsin," he said, and there was
a gentle smile in his eyes. IT was be-
ginning to fear they had almost for
gotten how to be young. afraid they
had forgotten us. But they were
merely sad. And now they want us SO
badly. II Is to be a wonder Christmas,
I'eterkin.'
A merry jingle came from around
The corner and the mail man swept up
behind his dancing reindeer and threw
sack after sack over with a laugh.
Look at 'em, Mr.. Claus, just look
at EN-" he said, and the old man with
the youngest heart in the world took
handful and glanced at them.
"Ah, Belgium" he said. Little
Albert. He hasn't had q good Christ
mas in four years They tore down his
stocking last year and threw It at him.
remember how ne cried. must take
good care Of Albert this year. And
little Jacques and his sister--near
Rheims they lived. Peterkin. Oh. no!
he doesn't want anything but an
American locomotive. He shall have
Il, shant he. Peterkin? He says an
American has promised to teach him
how TO run IT, What children these
Americans are.
Germany on Probation.
And see this from England. Peter
KIN, and from Italy and-ah. little
Marie wants her daddy back again"
The old man paused and looked out
ever the world again. Yes, We must
do our best this year"
"But the soldiers. Mr.. Claus-they
seem not to ask for themselves, but
for athers. We must not forget them.
"No, Petcrkin, and there are so
many. so many Of them. It would be
hard II they were not ali children, too.
] vii! have to hurry bit faster 10 see
Them all. and stop for a minute in the
hospitals. Peterkln. Children. and SOL
Giers with the hearts OF children! 1t
will bo merry Christmas, won't It,
my boy?"
v,
The old mans face grew grave and he
looked south a long time before he
spoke.
"I don't know" he said. slowly.
"Thev seem to have misunderstood me
and what mean to the world. Even
the children grew old too soon and
Forgot me. But ! think, think. Peter
kin. that some day they Will come
hack to me-the ones who are very
fttle children now"
at will he a good world, won't IL,
Mr.. CLAUSE" said Peterkin.
"Ycs my boy" said the old man.
Stocking for Each Ore.
so that Is how II happened that last
right there was a scarnpering over
the roofs Of this wise old city and
kindly old gentleman with SO many
duties that he was happier than he
e had been in years stopped for mo
trent in the ward OF every soldiers
hospital and while they slept shook
each man by the hand. And when they
woke this morning they found that
M. Claus had left stocking with a
Red Cross on Il that was crammed
with things.
There were Ave Christmas cards
two packages of chewing gum. a pack
Of playing cards, candy, two packages
OF cigarettes a small folding mirror.
cake Of soap, tooth paste and a pair
Of socks. The soldier also will have
his choice OF a jackknife Dust 10 show
how right Santa Claus was about the
soldier being a youngster at heart, a
-. s,fora
for pa pers and money. Il pair of Red
Cross socks, with oranges. figs and
candy. all tied up with ribbons and
holly, will complete the stocking. And
as for dinner. why. there is not thing
which the Red Cross Clocal detail
agent for S. CLAUSE has overlooked
from turkey TO pudding.
The Salvation Army, whose applied
Christianity with sleeves rolled up in
the application, has won the heart OF
every doughboy in France, Is taking
care Of every single fellow It can
reach. Abroad they will make $4,000
men feel that the next best thing to
Christmas at home is Christmas near
Bingen on the Rhine with a Salvation
lnssie dishing up doughnuts.
Many Parties I'm city.
The Rocky Mountain Club, whose
dinner to soldiers and sailors has been
Thanksgiving and Christmas feast
worth while since the war started, will
give dinner to 1000 service men in
the Hotel Aston.
The National League for women's
Service is giving an entertainment and
dance at the Sailors, Soldiers and Ma
r.nes Club. PSI Madison avenue. every
night this week, so that all men
or leave will have a chance TO cel"-
b-ate. The league will give other din
rers and theatre parties. and to-day
~ the club there will be tree and a
present for every man In the service
VINO is there. Thr War Camp Com
munity Service has provided dozens OF
dinners and entertainments
\ Christmas party for officers will
~ given in the Little Theatre tonight.
when 100 Of them will be present. The
stage Women'S War Relief will serve
refreshments. one of the unique
parties Of the day will he In the Sew
"Aty-first Regiment Armory this
~ Nrnoon. when relatives Of the men
who fought with the Seventy -seventh
DIVISION VIII give big party for the
lldreu, There will be one of the
'.sscst trees ever put mp indoors and
.n entertainment.
Every church in the city has speclaI
Christmas services. The midniph,
mass was the special feature 40 IN,
Catholic services this morning In g.