Newport News High School - Anchor Yearbook (Newport News, VA)

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THE BEACON 99 Let’s see, the boy wants electric cars and soldier suit, and — what was it? Oh, I remember (he writes on the pad) and the girl wants a doll with brown hair and a sled and a desk and — and, oh, yes, a bed for her doll and a gold wrist watch (writes them down). And th e little one — I remember about him (he writes on pad). To C. R. Ligget at the Ritz apartments ? Nurse — Yes, that’s it. Santa Claus — It’s cold, isn’t it? Nurse — Bitter cold! And the wind comes ’round this corner like a knife. Santa Claus — I’ll say it does! I’ve been out here all day and I’m nearly froze. Nurse — I should think you would be! I don’t see how you stand it out here! Your business is about the only one that doesn’t have holiday today. Santa Claus — Oh, I get holiday from my regular work. I keep books in one of Mr. Ligget’s offices. But I need some extra money, so I got this job for to- day. Nurse — I see! Santa Claus — The cost of livin’ is so high, you know. And I’ve been having some doctors’ bills, and the landlord’s put the rent up again, so you see I need the money. Nurse — My sister, she keeps house, and she tells me it’s perfectly awful, the prices things are, nowadays! Santa Claus — It is — and then — there are two lit- tle children — a girl and a boy — the sweetest kids in the world — in my house, who won’t have any stocking or tree or anything if I don’t get something extra. So you see it’s just a case of having to make some money. First Charge — Come here and look at this steam- boat! (Santa Claus and Nurse walk over to show window and look in.) First Charge — Look at the guns on it. It’s just what I want! (Enter from the side of a poorly clad little boy and girl.) Little Girl (whispering) — There he is! Looking in that win- dow. Little Boy (whispering) — OOOh, look at the things in that window. Don’t you wish we had a sled like that, and a ’lectric train ? Little Girl- Yes, and look on the other window! Don’t I wish Santa Claus would bring be that great, big, doll! Little Boy — Oh, but hadn’t you rather have a tool chest? Little Girl — No, I don’t think so! But if you had a tool chest you could build me a doll house, couldn’t you Little Boy — Sure! Do you want to go up an’ speak to Santy ? Little Girl — Let’s wait till those other people go! Little Boy — All right. I’m not scared though! Little Girl — I know you’re not, but it would be sort of rude to butt in, wouldn’t it? Little Boy — Maybe so! I guess we’d better wait! Santa Claus (to the Nurse’s Charges) — So you want the boat and the foot ball and the doll’s house ? The Three Charges — Yes, sir!

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98 THE BEACON old Santy what you want, like good little children. (The two go forward slowly) Second Charge (holding out her hand and curtseying) — Good afternoon, Santy Claus. Santa Claus — How are you, sister? What must I put in my pack for you ? Second Charge — I — I’d like a big doll. Santa Claus — Um-um. With yellow hair, and blue eyes ? Second Charge — No, sir. If you please, I believe I’d rather have her hair and eyes both brown. You know, you brought me one with yellow hair last year, and I don’t want two alike. Santa Claus — I see. We’ll give her brown hair this time. What else little lady ? Second Charge — Oh, I want a bed for my dolly and a sled and a dolly carriage and — oh, I want a little writing desk, for my- self, you know, not my doll — and a gold wrist watch and some candy, of course, and lots of things, but I can’t think of them all now. Santa Claus — Don’t you want to go look in the window, too ? Second Charge — Yes, thank you, sir. Santa Claus — And now, what does this great big man want Santy to bring him ? Third Charge — I wants a Injun suit an’ a veloci- pede, an’ some sojers, an’ a tent, an’ a choo-choo train an’ some candy! Santa Claus — All right, sir. Third Charge — Can I look in the window, too ? Santa Claus — Yes, indeed, and tell me if you see anything else you want. Nurse (aside to Santa Claus) — Mr. Ligget says to have everything the children ask for sent to him at the Ritz apartments. Santa Claus (draws out pad and pencil) —

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100 THE BEACON Nurse — Come, we’ll go inside, and look about. Santa Claus (Aside to Nurse) — If you’ll just take this slip of paper in and ask the clerk to send the things up — (Nurse nods and takes the paper.) The Three Charges — Good-bye, Santy Claus! Santa Claus — Good-bye; Merry Christmas! First Charge — Don’t forget my boxing gloves. Santa Claus — Never fear. (Exeunt.) (Little Girl and Boy come up to Santa Claus) Both — Mr. Santy Claus — Santa Claus (starting slightly when he sees them) — Hello, how are? Little Girl — We’re well, thank you, sir. Little Boy — Fine, thanks. Santa Claus — Well, have you come to tell me what you want? Little Girl — I — I’d love to have that doll in the window. Little Boy — And I want a tool chest and a pair of boxin’ gloves! Santa Claus — Well, well, how big you’re getting! You’ve grown a lot since last year! Little Boy (clearing his throat) — You didn’t bring us much last Christmas. Little Girl (horrified) — Oh, brother, he did! Why, you brought us beautiful presents! You brought me a lovely rag doll, and a red tarn and a book, and brother got a cap pistol and some overshoes and a rain cap, and both of us lots of candy! Santa Claus (huskily) — I know I — treated you pretty bad last year! I’m awful sorry; you see my presents gave out before I got to your house! I’ll try to — to do better this year! Come and look in the window! (They obey) Little Boy — Isn’t that the peach of a sled? I bet it’s fun riding in your sleigh on the house tops, isn’t it Santy Claus? Santa Claus — Lots of fun, but mighty cold, some- times. Little Girl — Did your reindeers ever run away? Santa Claus — Once; but they always mind me now. Little Boy (stroking one of the bright buttons on Santa Claus’ coat) — You got a mighty big stomach, Mr. Santa Claus! Santa Claus — Ought to have! I ate a whole pig for breakfast! Little Girl — A whole pig! Little Boy — Gee whiz! Santa Claus— I ate a cow yesterday! Litt le Girl — Goodness! Little Boy (abruptly) — Have you got on a mask? Little Girl — Oh, brother! Santa Claus — Children, do you want me to take off my mask and let you see my face ? Both (breathlessly) — Yes! (He lifts up the mask and beard) Both — It’s Daddy! Little Girl — Just think! We’ve been livin’ in