SANTA CLAUS' CHRISTMAS BURGLARY

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 6 (Supplement)

SANTA CLAUS' CHRISTMAS BURGLARY

TT was Christmas Eve! A melodious rang out * rom old church tower, whilst overhead the stars shone brilliantly over a snow-clad landscape. You see, you sun-drenched New Zealanders, this story took placc in Old England! At the hen el nf the village street the Manor House win ablazo with lights, for vithin it* witlls the Xuiumers were giving their time-honoured play of St. George before tlio assembled guests, as they and their forefathers had done from time i in memorial. At the "George nud Dragon" on the village, green there was n scene that, would linvo delighted the eyes of Charles Pickens, for there, in accordance with ancient rustorn, tlie genial landlord was entertaining his customers to a rabbit pie supper, washed down by copious draughts of "the *>ld October, brown niul bright." High up on the crest of a hill overlooking the village stood the castle, which had been lliero in one form or another sinco the days of the Normans. Tts rafters had often rung to tho sound of Christmas merrymakings, when knights and squires and their courtly dames joined in the baronial -feasts. On this Christmas Eve, however, Lord «nd Lady Inglesant were keeping the festival in homely fashion, most of the merriment coming from their little daughter, Irene, — Her chief concern at tho moment was to bonder whut Santa Claim would bring to her that night, little dreaming that she was to he the principal girl in one of the strangest dramas ever enacted within the walls of that hoary old cattle before the win rose on the morrow. When tho village lay peacefully asleep after the rcvel3 of the evening, a man might have been seen making hia way by stealth Across the park toward* the castle. Even nt that season of goodwill "Raffles" Was abroad, with sinister intent to despoil tho castle. Masking his face, removing his footgear with gloved hands, in which he carried a roveflver, he set out on the perilous task of locating his lordship's safe. . Creeping quiotly along the corridors and ascending a staircase, he pushed open a door and entered his lordship's study. Flashing his elcctric torch around tho Walls ho found the object of hi 3 quest in the corner of the room. It was a massive safe, likely to cmuse even an expert much trouble in the opening, unless 'by some lucky chance the combination could be found out. Laying out the tools of his craft upon the floor he began tp manipulate the dial, in the hope of discovering its sccTet. Whilst so engaged he heard the slight creak of a door, and, swinging round, gun in hand, watched a curtained doorway gradually open. "Hands up!" he cried, and then, to Iris amazement, a little child with flaxen hair, in her night attire, came forward. "Is 'oo Father Christmas?" ehe asked. "Did 'oo come down tho chimney! Have 'oo brought m« some presents?" "Here! stow all that; wot's y«r game?" said Baffles. "I thought 'oo was Santy Clans, m I came to have a look at 'oo," replied she, "but 'oo isn't a ibit like Im, 'cos he's got long whiskers an' a Ted coat, an' he has a big sack filled wi' presents for little girls and boys, an' 'oo hasn't one." "Wot's yer name, kiddie?" asked he, as an idea flashed across his mind. "Daddy calls me 'Irene,' hut Mammy calls me 'darling.'"

8y... Henry Walker

"Irene! Now I wonder," said Raffles, as lie scratched his head, and, turning once more to the safe, he «*polt out the word J-r-e-n-e, which proved to be the open sesame, and the door of the safe swung Lrnck without a sound. "What is 'oo doing?" asked the little maid. "Does 'oo keep 'oo's presents in there? Does 'oo like lickle girle? Has 'oo a Christmas gift for Irene? Has 'oo any lickle girls at home? Where does 'oo live?" Irene chattered on, whilst Raffles examined the contents of the safe. First he turned out a coronet of diamonds, then a rope of pearls, and showed them to Irene. "Them's beauties, ain't they?" said he, with a grin, "how'd yer like 'em for a Christ mas box?" "Oh! they'd be lovely." "Well, come here," said he, and, placing the pearls around her neck and the coronet on her head, he flashed the light on them, and exclaimed: "Why, yer just like a fairy in the panto; I'm going balmy, I know I am, but there's a gift from Santy Claus for yer, missie, so help me Bob!" With that Irene flew into his arms, kissed him on both cheeks, and said: "Oh! 'oo is pood. Daddy will want you to come and see him, to tank 'oo for such beautiful things." "Now, my dear," said Raffles, "it's time you went to by-bye, 'cos I must get on my rounds; yer know, there's lots of other kiddies waiting for me. Where do yer sleep ?" "In there," said Irene, as she pointed to the curtained doorway. "Will you put me to bed, doar Santy, and kiss me good-bve?" Carefully opening the door to make "sure all was right, he picked Irene up in his arms, carried her to her bed, tucked her up, and, kissing her tenderly whilst a tear ran down his cheek, he said: "Good-bye, darling, never forget yer old friend, Santy." Raffles returned to the study, and although there was still tempting plunder in the safe he couldn't touch it. "She's just the image o' my Mary," he said, "and Mary's in heaven, and maybe sho can see what her daddy's doing just now. No, I'll touch nowt. I'll just leave a message for his nibs," and, taking a pencil from his pocket, he scribbled a fewlines, placed them in the safe, carefully closed and locked it, and then, packing up his tools, he made his way out of the castle and disappeared into the night, carrying something .better than loot, a happy memory. Early next morning, whilst the bells in the valley below were proclaiming the advent of another Christmas morn, Lord and Lady Inglesant made their way to Irene's bedroom, and to their amazement found her fast asleep with the diamond tiara on her head and the pearls around her neck. They were speechless as they gazed on the strange spectacle. Soon Irene began to move, to be smothered in kisses by her mother, who asked, "Where did you get those pretty things?" Dear old Santy Claus gave 'em to me," replied Irene. At that moment his lordship ran to the safe, and opened it, finding the following note:— "If it hadn't been for your Irene, who was like an angel from heaven to me, your safe would have been cleared out by yours truly, "Santy Claus. "P.S.—Give Irene my love."