[VERNON]
Entire Staff a Santa Claus to Mr. Pout, Xmas
On Christmas Eve, at the close of the biggest day in the history of the Vernon Store, the staff gathered for a few minutes to extend good wishes and exchange tokens of friendship. At the conclusion, Mr. Pout was captured when trying to tip-toe off, set securely within the smiling circle, and compelled to listen to the following effusion which Tom Bone, the store poet, says he did not compose. It is now being blamed on Jack Ricketts, and so far Jack hasn't denied it.
Our dear respected Mister Pout
We guess you guess what we're about;
If not, you won't be long in doubt,
But get the sense,
So we shall quickly put to rout
Your dread suspense.
It's Christmas time, as you well know,
And we have gathered here to show
That years may come and years may go,
With rush and zest,
But our good feelings far outgrow
This timely test?
It gives us joy to give to you
This coffee service, bright and new,
And wish that all things good and true
That hope conjures,
May travel all the next year through
With you and yours.
Mr. Pout was too full for words (honi soit qui mal y pense), but he managed to express his hearty thanks for the splendid support and co-operation he had received from the entire staff during the Christmas rush, also for the kind thought which prompted the giving of such a beautiful gift.
The coffee pot was one of those long narrow "prohibition" coffee pots that you are unable to tell what is inside of until you taste the contents.
Tom Harrison struck up "He's a Jolly Good Fellow." "Arry" thought it was "Auld Lang Syne" and started off on his own, while James Henderson, in an endeavour to put them both right, commenced "Will You No Come Back Again."
When the company broke up, those three were still at it, and nobody could tell which was winning.—R.W.