Nogales international., 1933-12-23

HikAWHa is a real person, as real
@sSszz2 as Capt. John Smith,
General Grant, or our own George
Washington, only his real name
was Saint Nicholas. Ages ago the
Germans called him Sankt Nic'laus,
which their children turned into
Sankt Claus-the Santa Claus of
today.
Saint Nicholas, the patron saint
of children, was a Greek who lived
In Asia Minor about sixteen hun
dred years ago, and his life was so
spotless and his good works SO en-
during that he is even now beloved
in all lands. Many churches have
been named for him.
The parents Of Saint Nicholas
We're rich and respected and lived
in city called Patara at the south
west corner Of Asia Minor. Long
they dwelt together, chiidless. but
at length their prayers were an
swered and the little son, Nicholas,
was sent to cheer their loneliness.
1t is said that from the very first
he was the wonder Of all friends
and neighbors. so different was he
from the other children OF his age
in the neighborhoOd.
At school he was one Of the
brightest and best scholars, and SO
great was his love for the church,
ard SO anxious was he to serve
Christ, his master in all things,
that his father and mother will
ingly allowed him to study for the
priesthood. Thus it came that he
was sent to the home of his uncle,
Bishop Nicholas Of Patara, under
whose loving care he was instruct
ed in all the wisdom OF the church
as known In that day.
And now we come to the story Of
how Nicholas, from the kindness
of his heart, first brought gifts to
children while they lay asleep. 1t
so happened. that in the city there
dwelt q very good and learned man
with his three young daughters.
This man had at one time been
very rich, but by taking bad ad-
vice from one he thought his
friend, lost all his wealth. Now he
was bitterly poor, and as he was
too proud to beg, the family had
no longer a crust Of bread to eat.
Good Nicholas heard Of this and
his kind heart was greatly trou-
bled. So he filled q purse with
gold and went by night to the poor
mans house, though he had no
idea how he should deliver his gift
without being seen. The moon was
shining brightly and by its light he
saw trellis which was built
against the house for a grapevine
to grow upon. This he climbed, and
peeping through the window saw
the three hungry children asleep
on their bed, their cheeks still wet
with tears. It made his heart ache
to see their distress and tears came
into his own eyes. Gently dropping
the purse of gold on the floor he
climbed again to the ground and
went on home.
The next morning the poor man
rejoiced greatly when his daugh-
ters brought him the purse of gold.
and for q time the family's troubles
were at an end.
When the money was at last all
spent, Nicholas again climbed the
trellis by night and dropped Sec
ond purse, and later a third. You
can fancy how astonished the poor
man was at this unexpected help,
and after the second purse he de-
termined to watch for the generous
giyer. This he did and the third
time caught Nicholas in the very
act. The poor man fell upon his
knees and thanked him with tears
for his act Of mercy. but Nicholas
earnestly begged him never to tell
who had befriended him. Through
the children, however, the story be-
came known in the town, and as