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Christmas Because it expresses the spirit of Christmas more fully than any edi- torial which has ever been written, Wwe are reprinting in this issue of Appleton School Service the classic reply written by Francis P, Church in 1897, in The Sun, in answer to a child's question-- "Dear Editor:-- I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says 'if you see it in the "Sun" it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there-a Santa Claus? Virginia O'Hanlon." Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a _ skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their littie minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelii- gence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a~ Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist; and youeknow that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. "Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa--Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this exist- ence. We would have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eter- nal light with which childhood | fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Canta Slaus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all. the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus. coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither chil- dren nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can con- ceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unSeeable in the "world. You may tear apart the baby's rat- tle and see what makes the noise in- side, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor eyen the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, eould tear apart. ---Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives,.and he lives forever. A _ thou- sand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. CHRISTMAS IS CHRISTMAS (Continued from page 1) merry-making on Christmas Eve. Many courses will mark the feast at' the dinner hour and featuring strange dishes. In many homes the extra cover will be laid for the stranger, who, should he come knocking at the door that Christmas Eve, would be welcome at the table and no questions asked. It is an ancient but beautifui legend that tells how the Christ Child wanders through the town on this night of RAEHS and to the Ukrainian "Clau always visits his store. the famous Erector Set for boys and home the 'stranger may represent the Holy Babe. Irresistible will prove) the temptation to take Christnfas festivity in Switzerland, | where the gay, sparkling tree will be found in the poorest of homes, and | Father Christmas with his generous. -pack of toys a welcome visitor. Don't fail to read Pore K. Myers' sug-. Santa. gestions about Practical Gifts. He sells it's a real toy. SKATES SHARPENED BICYCLE REPAIRING | BABY CARRIAGES RE-TIRED Gordon £. McCarthy "The Bicycle Man" Phone 1497W 37 Ontario st. Open Evenings ~ "The Store That Service Built" Women's Hatonic mere hose, full fashioned colors. mode; + sand, black -- 8% to 10%. Per pair Women's fine service silk hose, .slipper. heels,, in shades, full fashioned. Per pair: : a ----Moain riba Compacts Single compact, neatly boxed, oblong shape, with Richard Hudnut's powder. Macke Octane Ae 50 Women's double compact, prettily-boxed--Richard Hud- nut's and Coty's pow- ens 00 OL He Ss gift guide carefully -- persons whom you had cot provided for on your shopping all wool cash- grey and weight 1.65 Late-Chosen Gi that are always -- There is always a last-minute rush for gifts to be bought for pe rsons ha f forgotten in the mad whirl of Christmas shopping. Read this la iet the items suggest attractive gif fts Handkerchiefs Women's handkerchiefs, 2 in box--in assorted colors Be --faney corners-- box, wy we Women's handkerchiefs, 3 in box, in pretty shades, also white, fancy embroid- ie a ered corners. Per box, ey yw [np eRe -- Main Mane ta 6% and 6% Women's fie --faney turr é Bes ifts a for o is kid gloves -- jight ~ sizes ns and smart medes -- only Per pair all M Blankets onnie Doon Blankets Thése cosy blankets are closely woven 'of all wool yarns and have a soft, fleecy nap. They are whipped sing: ~ ly and come with pink and blue borders. Si 8 ae ize 68x86 inches 0.50 11.59 fe POr Dal ccc kk Size 72x90 inches. Per pail asc Plaid Blanket Comfortables Like all the other bedding blankets have taken tc color, These come in blue, rose and gold, checked with cream. Of a splendid quality all wool. 'Size about 72x84 ins, eens car Pearce 5. 25 --Main Floor-- Women's fine lets in tan and i style, ever popular with gaunt- --slip-on ilady. All sizes. Pair, --Main. Fl] Women's ie lbags in pont. style 1 neat envel- ope style, wi rap at the bees. on shades olhey , 2eD0 no of mode, tan, ne: ag anighe and black. Women's natch the new artistic des é ed--shades +0: mé costumes. 2.95 + 8.99 --Main Floor-- STORES oom 2 Soars Palin a ties gia Sa Ay *