Oshkosh High School - Index Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

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DECEJIBER INDEX NINETEEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN How Could There be a Santa Claus? SANTA CLAUS is a most marvelous man. How could one man buy so many things, and where would he get the money? Toys and things that you see in the store windows, you will sometimes find hanging on the Christmas tree Christmas morning, and if you will notice, your mother will try shoes, slippers, and dresses on you, and then you will get one of them for Christmas. Your mother and father never take you with them when they go to town, before Christmas, and there is only one reason for them not to take you, and that is: they are buying Christmas things for you. If you will also notice that when Santa is in the house talking with you, your father or big brother will be gone, and so that is only some one dressed up as a Santa Claus. Sometimes you will see two Santa Clauses at a time, and there is only supposed to be one. If you will look in the closet, you will see a Sant a suit, Christmas presents of all kinds, and a Christmas tree perhaps standing in a corner. Why is it that the richer chil- dren get more for Christmas than the poorer ones? Surely, if Santa is so kind, he ought to treat them all alike. If you write a letter to Santa Claus Christmas Eve, you will not get everything that you want, but if you give it to your mother or father a month before Christmas, and tell them to give it to Santa Claus, you are apt to have your order filled. Every child does not get the same kind of candy and toys, and I should think Santa Claus would make a batch of candy and have it all of one kind, and the same with the toys. But how could one Santa Claus go to every person in the world all in one night? And horses and reindeer cannot fly without wings, but maybe his can. I think he would have to have a big sack to carry so many things. E. B., June, ' 20. Santa Claus When we were small children, we delighted to hear stories about Santa Claus. He was described to us as an old man with a long white beard, who was dressed in a red suit trimmed with white fur. We were told that every Christmas Eve he came from his home at the North Pole in his sleigh, driven by eight reindeer; that he entered the houses of good children by means of the chimney; and that he filled the children ' s stock- ings according to their demeanor throughout the year. We lost half the joy and anticipation of Christmas time when we dis- covered that there was no Santa Claus. We console ourselves now by thinking of him as the Christmas Spirit personified. K. R., June, ' 20. Page twenty-seven

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DECEMBER INDEX FOR NINETEEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN people, until four o ' clock. In the barn yard we saw the original lame duck! When father came back, we just had time to make the train and put the car in a garage at Randolph. We then settled down in peace and com- fort, thinking that at last all our worries and discomforts were over. But, alas! When the conductor came along for our tickets, he informed us that that train did not go through to Oshkosh on Sunday. He told us that we might possibly be able to change at Iron Ridge, go to Fond du Lac, and there catch the eight o ' clock interurban home. Delightful prospect! We might reach home at ten o ' clock that night, but more probably we would have to spend the night in some miserable little hotel in Iron Ridge! We just caught our train at Iron Ridge. By this time we could see the fun in our calamity, and shocked all the rest of the people in the car by our laughter. But the train was twenty minutes late! Troubles again! It was eight o ' clock before we even pulled into the station, where we had little hope of catching the interurban. But we ran three or four blocks anyway to the car-line, and wonder-of-wonders, the car had not left! With deep sighs of relief, we sank into our seats. At last we were on the home stretch! It was nine o ' clock when we reached Oshkosh. During our ten minutes ' wait for a street car, we satis- fied our hunger with hot-buttered popcorn, purchased at the corner. How good home looked! But best of all was the thought of bed, our own soft beds, where we might rest our weary heads until morning. A. G. W. Santa Claus Santa Claus lives in the cold, cold north, Where the bleak winds whistle through hemlock boughs. And the snow all year doth flourish forth. Forcing him out with his winter ploughs. Mrs. Santa helps, they say. To make fine things for girls and boys. She takes no rest till Christmas Day, When Santa delivers his pack of toys. Santa comes at the end of each year. With sleigh bells ringing sweet and clear. Swiftly he drives his eight reindeer. Bringing to all his Christmas cheer. Eunice M. Rogers, June, ' 20. Page twenty-six

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D E C E II B E li INDEX FOB NINETEEN HUNDRED SIXTEEN Christmas Here and There, Now and Then Christmas in our country thiis year, to the majority, will be a far dif- ferent one than in the past. Many difficulties have occurred, due to the conditions brought on by the present war. Money in abundance for food and gifts in the last few years, will at present be used in a more thoughtful way. Donations of food and clothing to those in need were liberally given then, but now the soaring prices have diminished all these donations. The conditions of Christmas abroad this year will not only be a great contrast to that in our own country, it will be a great contrast to that of the past. Joy, laughter, and ready money were then in abundance, but now, war on its fields stopped all this. Starvation is facing millions, many inno- cent of the cause, and many a father, brother, husband, or son has been killed on the battlefield, and the families will spend their Christmas in mourning this year. These examples are only a few to suggest a sorrowful Christmas that many will have this year in our own country as well as abroad. M. S., ' 20. An Old-Fashioned Christmas WHAT this family needs is a good old-fashioned Christmas .celebra- tion, announced Mary Bentley with conviction. Three of the Bentley family, seated in the oppressively elaborate drawing-room, looked up in surprise. Their answers were characteristic. Celebration, echoed Alice in a bored tone. I had planned to sleep all Christmas day and rest up for Mrs. Gordon-Smith ' s party at night. If I don ' t I ' ll be simply a wreck. The eldest son John, just recently started in business with his father, looked up with interest. It sounds good to me, he said. We always look to you for new ideas. Fire ahead. Seventeen-year-old Frank, sprawled awkwardly on a spindle-legged couch, called out, Proceed, in his most oracular manner. Well, it ' s just this way, said Mary. When that money was left to us, father and mother came into town just to please us, so that Alice could shine in society, so the boys could get a good education and a start in busi- ness, and so that Olive and I could have a chance to do what we wished. I ' ve been thinking it over and I ' m beginning to realize what a big sacrifice they are making just to please us. Now don ' t think I ' m preaching, because I ' m not, finished Mary, somewhat out of breath. I guess you ' re right, agreed John seriously. We ' ve just been so wrapped up in our own affairs we haven ' t thought much about the folks. Alice remained silent. Paere twenty-eight