SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 18 (Supplement)

SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT?

Dare we compare our day with the day when a great-grandmother was a girl? On Christmas Eve, as the clock struck twelve, a certain picture on the drawing room wall began to move slowly backwards and forwards. As the last strike sounded the frame became empty and there in the room, with the moonlight shining full upon her, stood the great-grandmother, whose portrait had hung in the same spot for so many years. Her old bent figure was clothed in a long grey gown, falling in folds at her feet, and on her face was an expression of intense excitement. As she gazed upon the beautiful furniture and silken curtains, her thoughts flew back to the little cobbled farmhouse kitchen with its big log fire on which thfcy used to burn the Yule log at Christmas-tide. Such happy times they were, when she gathered the holly and adorned the little living room, ready for the family gathering on Christmas Day. She could still see her family, gathered round the big roast turkey and the Christmas pudding, all of which she herself had cooked. ‘Those days had long gone, and this room, in which she stood, showed no signs of Christmas decoration. She stood motionless as though waiting for someone. That someone came, announcing his arrival by a whirr, a thud, and then his appearance on the window sill. The old lady was frightened at first, but when she saw the familiar old face with the long white beard, her fears fled, and she ran excitedly to help her friend down from his perch on the window sill. Santa Claus was quite excited about their having met in such a way, but he said he would have to hurry as he had many more toys to deliver. He took Granny by the hand and led her with him to the bedroom, where slept the two little children, Willie aged five, and June aged three. Two little socks hung on the end of the bed and Santa proceeded to fill them with toys. Granny said, “My dear little Willie, BSSlEUffl®®®®®®®®®®®®®®'

he is just the same as he was when I last saw him." Santa Claus burst into a peal of laughter, but had to control himself for fear of waking the children. It rather hurt the old lady’s feelings to be laughed at, but when Santa told her that she had never seen that little boy before, as he was not her grandson but her grandson’s son, she was forced to laugh herself. ‘‘You must show me your reindeer before you go,” said the old lady. “I think you are a little behind the times, for in these days of speed and invention, I have to use an aeroplane, if I want to keep apace with the rest of the world," said Santa. “An aeroplane!" said Granny. “I« that a new kind of animal?" Santa took her with him to aee the new kind of animal, but 6he was disgusted. “ To think we folks used the good old horse to plough our fields and pull our wagons," she said, “and this growing generation discards the faithful old beast, for such dangerous speedy inventions.” “It is the way of the world," remarked Santa, “but I’ll own your way was far safer. There are hundreds killed every year by these speedy cars and aeroplanes, but still they invent them and will invent them while there are people to do it. Good*bye now, I must be off on my way." ! and with a roar the aeroplane had gone. Granny was left alone, to ponder over the new life she had but caught a glimpse of. She had seen enough to convince her that changes will take place so long as there are people to effect those changes. The clock struck one, and the portrait was back in its frame, leaving the growing generation to its life of speed and invention. Edith Goode (16 year*), 661, Worcester Street Ext., Linwood. N.B.—One of the best entries receive , ed in the recent competitions.—-A.H.