HOW SANTA CLAUS GOT HIS NAME.

Hutt News, Volume 9, Issue 28, 18 December 1935, Page 7

HOW SANTA CLAUS GOT HIS NAME.

Many years ago a boy of the name of Nicholas was born in Patara, in Asia Minor, He was brought up by wealthy Christian parents and later became ordained as a minister. Nicholas lirst served in his home town, but subsequently went to Myra, of which he was destined to become Arckbishcp. The name isanta (Jlaus is derived :rom Wanta Nikolaus, the German version of yaiut Nicholas. How he became Saint Nicholas is described in the following story: In his town "there lived a nobleman who had become so poor that he could scarcely provide food for himself and his three young daughters. Nicholas learned of their poverty and one dark night he went to the nobleman's house, and, finding a window open, he threw Jm a purse of gold. After a lapse of time, thinking the gold would bo all ased, he went again and threw in a second purse. He paid a third visit some time lated and was about to repeat his action when the poor nobleman discovered him. Nicholas wanted him to keep the matter a secret, but rt was a story he could not keep to himself, and before long everybody was Stalking about it. After that when anybody received a present without knowing who it was from, they would say, 'Oh, it will be from Nicholas." In the course of time young children who c'ound Nicholas a long name to say, Iropped the first syllable, and so he .•ceame known as Claus, and then, latnr still, he was looked upon as a ain' Sso Santa was addjed, and thus we have jui "SantaClaus." Nowadays this lame js given to anyone who give* presents to boys and. girls at <3hrisfcmns*