Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-19
CHILDREN MADE
HAPPY ON ARRIVAL,
Of SANTA CLAUS

Childhood's dream came true yes
terday when hundreds of Gardner
Riddles were made happy by the ar
/ rival Of Santa Claus, who drove into
Depot square a few moments after
Il o'clock and was met by q Joyful
horde Of believers. The square be-
gan to be filled long before the ap-
pointed hour, the older generation
joining with the young in making
welcome the old gentleman to Gar
diner. While Santa felt pleased at
the welcome extended to him by the
GardIHog Retail Merchants Associa-
| ton ana other citizens, he informed
the Journal reporter yesterday that
| 1t did his old heart good to see SO
many boys and girls out to meet him.
He was very tired last night, but
perfectly happy. He said that he felt
that Gardiner really wanted him and
| had shown that this feeling was gen.
uine by the grand welcome which
he had received.
Led by brave band he came in
all his glory and no one felt bad
because the bright red sleigh was
missing. He was obliged to stand
UP to greet all his little friends as
the imposing equipage came down
/ the causeway. The splendid pair of
and their bright red blankets let
tered with a greeting to Santa, were
a colorful scene, and as the team
came down into the square the up
roar was deafening. The children
formed in line after the team and
the parade moved on to the Christ |
mas tree in front of the johnson
House, where Santa distributed
wooden whistles to every little boy
and girl. These were suitably in
scribed with the words, welcome |
Santa" and Gardiner Retail Mer- |
chants Association" Santa had a |
very busy day and made many a lit
tie ono happy with special word !
for his ear alone. He singled out !,
many and shook hands with them
ously happy and bewildered with the |
wonder of 1t.
Santa's retinue was overjoyed at |!
the meeting between he and his |
helper. who came here several days !
ago to repair toys for the children. !
N.Y. but those two were glad to see |
each other again. Santa had to tell |
about his trip and wasn't the me-
chanic glad to see that he had ar
rived safely. After a talk with the |
helper during which Santa approved |
OF the good work being done in the !
line of repairing toys, Santa strolled |
up and down the street followed by |
an admiring throng. who were loath |
to leave him, afraid he would dis
appear.
A very busy week is ahead of him |
but he Is looking forward to it with |
pleasure. as he likes nothing better J
than to meet and talk with children. /
The Merchants Association had his |
tree all lighted up for him and hel
passed some of his valuable time |
admiring the nice big tree, which |
was SO kindly donated for the occa-
sion by Sewall Jones. Some of the |
best OF the surprises and fun are |
yet to come. Santa. has several |
things planned for his friends. One |
Of the most important is the big |
free picture show Monday morning,
when Manager McDermott will open
the Opera house to Santa and the
children of Gardiner and will show
them a special picture, which he
promises will please both the chill
dren and Santa very much. To ev-
cry child attending this show Santa
will give big bag of delicious candy
and popcorn. so every boy and girl
should be there. The exact time will
be announced in this paper later, SO
watch for 1t. I
Santa is going to be on the street
every day from now to Christmas
and he feels that in spite of the fact
that he has seen and talked with
hundreds of children, there are some
left that he has not seen, and he
says that when he leaves Gardiner
he wants to have met every little boy
and girt In the city. so that when he
comes back again he will know them
all. Bring your father, mother, aunt, i
friend and come down and see the !
1I.l TIC 10 1t,oifipC WI,