* * * * * HELLO, GIRLS! "CIVIL SERVICE LADIES FOR LONDON TELEPHONE EXCHANGES, over 1 and under 30 years of age. Minimum height 5ft."--_Evening Paper_. Many ladies of our acquaintance, although just over the minimum age, are not yet quite up to the required height. * * * * * [Illustration: _Lady_ (_displaying costume in which she is to appear as the Queen of Sheba in "Biblical Beauties" tableaux at charity matinée_). "RATHER SWEET, ISN'T IT?" _Friend_. "MY DEAR, ABSOLUTELY TOPPING. IT MAKES ME FEEL I OUGHT TO BE DOING WAR-WORK TOO."] * * * * * TO SANTA CLAUS. Historic Santa! Seasonable Claus! Whose bulging sack is pregnant with delight; Who comest in the middle of the night To stuff distracting playthings in the maws Of stockings never built for infant shins, Suspended from the mantelpiece by pins. Thou who on earth wast named Nicholas-- There be dull clods who doubt thy magic power To tour the sleeping world in half-an-hour, And pop down all the chimneys as you pass With woolly lambs and dolls of frabjous size For grubby hands and wonder-laden eyes. Not so thy singer, who believes in thee Because he has a young and foolish spirit; Because the simple faith that bards inherit Of happiness is still the master key, Opening life's treasure-house to whoso clings To the dim beauty of imagined things. Wherefore, good Kringle, do not pass me by, Who am too old, alas! for trains and blocks, But stuff the Love of Beauty in my socks And Childlike Faith to last me till I die; And there'll be room, I doubt not, in the toes For Magic Cap and Spectacles of Rose. And not a song of beauty, sung of old, Or saga of the dead heroic days, And not a blossom laughing by the ways, Or wind of April blowing on the wold But in my heart shall have the power to stir The shy communion of the worshipper. Hark! On the star-bright highways of the sky Light hoofs beat and the far-off sleigh-bell sounds! Is it old Santa on his gracious rounds Or one dead legend drifting sadly by? Not mine to say. And, though I long to peep, Santa shall always find me fast asleep. ALGOL. * * * * * "A clerk was at London Mansion House yesterday charged with stealing a blouse the property of the governor and directors of the Bank of England. "She said she could not understand what made her take it, and, believing she acted from sudden temptation, the Lord Mayor bound her over."--_Daily Mail_. We do not think the "Old Lady of Threadneedle Street" ought to wear such tempting garments in these times. * * * * *