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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 8 (December 1, 1929)

Christmas in Toyland

page 42

Christmas in Toyland

Oh, soldier!” came a happy voice. “Is my sash tied properly?” and the baby doll danced up to the toy soldier.

He smiled down at her. “Yes, baby doll, it is tied nicely. You look ever so pretty!”

“And you look nice in your new uniform, too, soldier. Oh, isn't it lovely to think that this is Christmas Eve?”

“Hurrah for Christmas!” cheered the golliwog. “I am feeling so excited!”

“Oh, I am excited, too!” cried the jack-in-the-box, bobbing up from his box. “I wish Father Christmas would hurry!”

Suddenly the baby doll grew quiet.

“I forgot! Oh, toys, won't it be just dreadful if we have to be parted? We have been so happy together. I would find it so lonely without you all.” And a bright tear fell on to her silken dress.

The little toys grew silent; then the jack-in-the-box said bravely:

“We must not think of that. If we are parted, we will just have to be brave. Come on, toys, cheer up!”

“Haven't we had some lovely times together?”

“Oh, yes!” came a merry chorus; “we just have!”

Waiting For Father Christmas. (Photo. C. R. Barrett.) Three little Maori boys at Rotorua, New Zealand.

Waiting For Father Christmas.
(Photo. C. R. Barrett.)
Three little Maori boys at Rotorua, New Zealand.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

“Oh, listen!” cried the toy monkey. “Here comes Father Christmas.”

Hurriedly they all scrambled over to the open fireplace, and just as they reached it Father Christmas appeared.

“Oh, I nearly got stuck! Wouldn't it have been dreadful—for then we would have missed the train! Yes,” seeing their puzzled look, “we are going to travel by train to-night. We will pass the Fairyland stations, and go through the Dreamland tunnel, right to the land of girls and boys. It will be such a wonderful journey, and I am sure you will enjoy it.”

“Yes, we will, Father Christmas; you always think of such lovely surprises,” answered the golliwog; but his voice trembled.

Father Christmas turned to him in surprise. “Why, what is the matter?”

So the little story was told—how the toys were so afraid that they would be separated.

“My little toys! Why, I never dreamt of parting you. I know how happy you have been! And now let me whisper—you are all going to one little girl, who is going to love you very dearly. Now, isn't that lovely?”

“Oh!” came a happy cry of pleasure. “Father Christmas, you are just a dear!”

“And now, come on, toys! No; we won't go up the chimney, because you would get so dirty. You aren't used to climbing chimneys, you know,” laughingly; “we'll go out through the window!”

So they did, and soon they were all settled comfortably in the train. But just before the whistle blew, the little toys turned to wave farewell to the old toyshop, where they had spent so many happy hours.

“Goodbye! Goodbye!”