The story of Santa Klaus

Merry Christmas to all! From Thomas Nast’s “Christmas Drawings for the Human Race.” Copyright 1889 by Harper and Brothers.
THE STORY OF SANTA KLAUS
TOLD FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES FROM SIX TO SIXTY
BY WILLIAM S. WALSH AND ILLUSTRATED BY ARTISTS OF ALL AGES FROM FRA ANGELICO TO HENRY HUTT
NEW YORK MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY 1909
Copyright, 1909, by WILLIAM S. WALSH New York Published October, 1909
THE STORY OF SANTA KLAUS
If you go to England you will find many people there who have never heard of Santa Klaus. Only the other day a leading London paper confessed that it could not understand why a magazine for children should be called St. Nicholas.
Now if you were asked the question which heads this chapter do you think you could answer it so as to make an Englishman understand who Santa Klaus is? Could you also explain what connection Saint Nicholas has with children?
Of course you might glibly reply:
“Santa Klaus is the Dutch diminutive (or pet name) for Saint Nicholas, and Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of boys and girls.”
But the Englishman might want to know more than this. Perhaps you yourself would be glad to know more. It is for the purpose of supplying you with information that I have prepared this little book.