Christmas Surprise

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 80, 28 December 1940, Page 12

Christmas Surprise

(Original by Toddles (9), Levin.) (A nee upon a time there lived a boy W and girl whose names were Bobby and Betty. One night Bobby had a strange dream. He dreamed that he and Betty and their dog, Romp, were going for a walk, when suddenly Romp disappeared. They called and called, and then they heard a faint bark in the distance. Bobby and Betty hurried to the spot, where the sound came from, and found Romp sniffing round a hole. Betty peeped into the hole and discovered that there was a ladder going deep into the earth. Romp ran dowu, and Bobby and Betty followed. Bobby (who was the first to look) saw an old man with a white beard. He was making all kinds of toys. Bobby boldlv went up to him and said, “Would you please tell me your name.” The old man answered: “My name is Father Christmas, But,” he added, “I call myself Mr. Any-thing-you-like.” “What a funny name,” said Betty. “What do you like?” asked Father Christinas. “Anything,” said Betty. "Well! Well.! Come with me,” he said, and he took them to a room. It contained all the sweets you could think of. So they took one of everything. After that he said, “Do you like toys?” And they both replied together, “Yes! Yes I We do!” So he took them to a toy shop. There they saw hundreds and hundreds of playthings. Bobby chose a bike and Betty chose a doll, and Romp a bone and a nice new kennel. “I thank you so much,” they said. "We’ll come as much as we can.” Betty said, “How are we to take the toys home?” “That is easy,” he laughed. He touched the toys with a stick and they became smaller and took themselves up the stairs. Just as they reached the last step Bobby woke up. Betty was already awake. Then suddenly they both said together, “I’ve had such a strange dream.” Then Betty went on, "I dreamt about Father Christmas and toys and sweets.” "Bless me,” said Bobby, "I dreamt ' that, too!”