HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Signal, 1914-12-17, Page 2= Z1losstnaT, 11sta'lrttatR 17. 1314
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banta Claus
reasure $or
lie L F. IMMOgitillOill
HRI$TMAS wee at
bead. aad Philip Dra-
per's \earl was bevy
Fer a Bamber of years
he had seemed to be
the particular pet of
misfortune. As an art-
ist his work displayed
the magic touch of
genius, and be was In
a fair way to achieve
fame •ad worldly suc-
cess
access when the first of
a series of calamities befell him Boon
after Philip's marriage to pretty Le -
title Girard. his father tailed to busi-
n ess and died within a month there-
after, leaving nothing but a mass of
d ebts as a legacy to his son.
r Philip, who had just been taken into
partnership with his father, and whose
outlook on the future was tinged with
the color of the rose, was crushed by
tits blow; but with a quixotic sense
of duty he set himself the tremendous
task of paying off the debts of the
Mm. To accomplish this be had noth-
ing to depend upon but the s•1e of lots
Pictures; yet, year In and year out,
iso toiled on stubbornly and unc:om-
blainingly, while he and Lucille and
their little boy were deprived of ma y'
of the comforts of life that the bulk
of his earnings might go to his credi-
tors. The house in which they lived
was a roomy old mansion on the out-
skirts of the city, left to Philip by •
madden aunt. who .had passed away
since the death of his father, and
'wilch Lucille had persuaded him not
to sell. This house. by the way. had
originally belonged to an eccentric old
sea captain, Jeremiah Suggs by name.
'who was reputed to be something of
a miser, and who lived and died a re-
cluse.
The crowning calamity came to
'Philip Draper when the debt was W
but cleared off. It was then he was
overtaken by a wasting illness, which
kept him confined to his bed tor al-
most • year. and leaving him desti-
tute. The butcher and the baker
'threatened to deny him further
'credit- and his home was heavily
msor'g•ged. The outlook was gloomy.
"And tomorrow is Christmas," be re-
maraed to his wife. with a grim smile.
Never mind, dear; let us hold fast
to our courage." said Mn. Draper,
trying to speak cheerfully, though
(there was an ominous quaver In her
'veleta
"What hurts me most is the
'thought that Christmas 1s so close
;at hand and that there will be .no
;Manta Claus for Bobby."
"Poor, little dear!" said Mrs. Draper.
IMuddenly she started up with an anx-
ious glance about the room. '1 woo-
'der where that child can be? i haven't
!seem him for at least two hours."
'Ob, don't be alarmed. I dare say
the Is rummaging about In the cellar or
!attic or some out-of-the-way closet.
tend 1s wholly absorbed 1n his investi-
gattons.'.
lir. Draper bad hardly flnlabed
'speaking when Bobby popped into the
froom. held out a grimy little fist,
,and. as he opened the chubby fingers.
revealed a twenty -dollar gold piece ly-
ing ea his upturned palm.
Money!" gasped Philip. He snatch-
ed the cols and examined It critically.
"Where did you get this? What
does 1t mean?"
"I found it in the attic." explained
Bobby. "There •re lots more then.
Come on, 111 show you where "
The next eslmeeL. the father sad
mother, each grasping a hand of the
frightened youngster. were bast.•ning
up the stain. When they reached the
tittle the whole astounding truth was
ksld bare to them Poll y had been
rummaging. as usual. Finding a loose
brick In the crumbling masonry of the
big chimney, by had pulled 1l out and
made • startling discovery.
"I wanted to find out how Santa
Claus comes down the chimney.' said
1\ t• do any harm—d'
she boy. regretfully. "1 didn't mean
Iv exclamation from his father 1n-
ferrrpted him Philip. tearing away
to bricks to enlarge the opening. bad
thrust his arm into the cavity and
brawn forth two small boxes. accom-
led by a shower of yellow cotes
them was a scrap of paper on
which was written:
'1 have no heirs, no kith nor kin
This property goes to the finder, and
may be enjoy Itit coreIsts of $30,.
efts to geld sad government beads.
sad twice that amount in genre
"Jr-RIr111AH gU'o(lr"
1Mttly was the hero of the hour.
ofd tie retaking that followed may
tetter be Imaglsed than described
Wel R • tn.rry Christmas for ties
'Dryers! Ask Bobbywho firmly he
%eWee be brawl Basta Claire' treasons
`
Hari! the merry chimes are warning
us that this is Christmas morn-
ing,
And it's time that we were rising,
though the hour Isn't late.
Still, the kidiets will be flocking, ea&_
to overhaul his stocking,
And there's scads of things we've
got to do that really cannot wait
Yet, before we kick the clothes oft (quite determined not to dose off).
Let's indulge In dreamy musing on this joyous ('hristmastide.
Let us, while the bells are pealing, get up some real Christmas feeling,
F111 ourselves with sweet emotions that are not quite cut and dried.
True, the minutes fast are gilding, but, consarn 'em, let 'em glide.
Think of these long weeks of waiting. all the glad anticipating
Of the gay and festive season that at last, at last is here;
Never resting, never stopping in our mad career of shopping,
Searching over the ideal, not too cheap and not too dear,
Crushed and elbowed In the reeking crowds, that like ourselves are seeking
Just the very thing of all things that their loved ones most desired.
Limp and draggled then emerging from the pushing, struggling, surging
Mob, with parcels overladen, reaching home at last. dog tired
Those experiences may be best described ea "most ail fired."
Yet no antiquated stole showed endur-
ance more heroic
Than we've manifested through the
weary ordeal of that time;
W have stood the stress of barter with
the courage of • martyr;
Now we find sweet compensation
Ilst'ning to the Christmas chime, ' ► ' F '1
Whose clear cadence, soft and mellow, seems to w Wiper to a fellow
That the worst is nearly over, that we soon may breathe again.
Boon may find surcease of sorrow, and that, maybe by tomorrow
Or the nett day, may be lifted something of this mental •train.
That a blessed sense of rest may soothe the tissues of our brain.
>1�1II t9 ebriztma9
greeting
Bs WGIVJtOA RASSAS
aessa. T
easetMa um
O 1 am • heartless filrt,
who doesn't understand
Cue meaning of the
word love, am 1, Mr.
W 1 11 t a us Dunning?".
stormed Marjorie all to
herself, In answer to
the final decree of rage
and defiance which that
gentictel.n hurled at her
by means of a vigorous
clam of the front door.
"I believe he would
have shaken nue, 1f he hadn't rushed
out In time to prevent himself from
doing It.' she cont'nued, the ever
ready dimples venturing out of their
hiding places, but :1.e banished them
severely. t' 11 never, never forgive
him, even though he asks me to, which
of course. he won't! And be cal's ms
stubborn!"
Next morning Marjorie was tremen-
dously busy *rapping up dainty little
parcels, for 11 nee: day will Christ-
mas, and her many friends must be
remembered, In spite of quarrels and
8111 y.
Still, she seemed very much prase
ruined over her work. and quite sud-
denly she threw *slue the piece of
We have done with haste and flurry, no occasion now to worry,
Lest some sensitive relation may have been quite overlooked.
All the lista of names are checked and ►11 the walls with green are decked, and
Now within a few short hours the Christmas dinner will he cooked.
Hall to Christmas! hap ty season! There 1s some substantial ...aeon
To be gleeful at thy advent—the beginning of the end.
As thou comest wreathed with bony, we can certainly be jolly,
Welcome thee with feast and wassail. and 1n general unbend,
tor we know that we have spent for the• the last cent we cast spend!
Now the door bell will cease ringing to
the people who were bringing
An endless string of packages from
morn to dewy eve;
We no longer will be running to con-
ceal those things with cunning,
And we'll lose our wonted air of
having something up our sleeve.
There will be a deuced litter, whet.
the gewgaws gleam and glitter,
Of waste paper, string and cotton, from the kitchen to the hall;
But, with consciences elastic, we will grow euthuslastic
And "wonder how they guessed," as on the donors' necks we tall,
Looking blissful over deeded, that we didn't want at all.
Ab, this blessed thing of giving! it is half the joy of living
To watch the looks of gratitude and pleasure and surprise
That, at least to outward seeming, are upon loved faces beaming ---
As the loved one opens his parcel and digs out his gaudy ties.
And the gentle wile and mother her emotion tries to smother
When crt.dected-by her husband, to some secret corner, where.
As a proof of fond affection, be has hid from ber detection,
His gift to her, • cozy, costly, well -upholstered chair
(01 whose comforts, in the future, you may bet he'll get his share).
Now this Christmas spirit moves us to
sense that It behoves us
To keep Poverty's bare platter and
All Destitution's cup.
Bring turk and pie and gladness to
the homes of empty sadness!
To help out sweet Christmas char-
ity who would not loosen up?'
Itut It's highly aggravating not to say exasperating.
R'ben we've given most nobly and without thought of stint.
To find out, as we expected, that the modest are neglected
And our princely benefaction hasn't found Its way to print
(Certainly we didn't ask it, but a man might take a hint).
But away with sad resection! This 1s no time for dejection.
Merry Christmas, happy Christmas, as we said, has come at last!
All the many tribulations, all the trills and vexations
That have crowded thick upon us for the last six weeks, are put,
Not a protest shall be uttered. though the house with toys is cluttered
And the kid. are all parading to the sound of horn and drum,
Lusty lung and larynx voicing the event of their rejoicing.
We will have to stand the racket now that Christmas day Is come.
(iater tow our nervous •.stem at some sanitarium).
Thank the Giver 1f we're able to sit
'round a well -spread table.
Where the plump white -bosomed
turkey sheds its savor through
' the ahem,
And pudding comes on smoking, and
there's no end to the joking,
And no heart that harbors malice
and no mind oercet with gloom,
Let is be profoundly grateful that we have at least • plateful,
Grateful for the pepsin tablets that correct our Christmas cheer;
Hold it as amostg our mercies 1f there's coin left In ottr purses,
Be thankful for tilos. dear to us and those who hold us dear.
(And most supremely thankful Christmas comes but once a year).
tonervMaa. rat. w•w.re M..ys..r ()slew.
CHRISTMAS IS A PROPHECY
'Iit Forecasts the Palest *eclat Ger.
ditlens Whitt Will Fulflii the
Promisee •t Christ
Christmas le mot only • tact mm
mamorating the one steered ,.stivsl
yin the world's calwndar, Yat the UM'fats prophecy of • omm� day. aar-
1t■ Ills from the world. sad to give
to common humanity their rightful
sovereignty He worked with His
beads for 1415 daily tread. He 1s yet
to d(pntfy and glorify In the tboegbt
of m kind all beaest toll. H. hon-
ored woman with His sympathetic and
■ppr.eiative regard, He 1s yet to re
Rey. her from every form of serfdom
created b7 th. past ages He toot
passing all the btriebtoot Shdal dreates 1 little children In His arms tad blessed
;that have ever •heed the tlggt IMF i !item H. Is yet to make blessed the
;trammed human mind He speilite sa ' eblld life 1a every welcoming borne.
.111s human nature .id., steel He gave ills pace to His distracted
Itad peasants, from valets ofd snider.. I disciples He i. yet to make wars
kl e U yet to lift every peasant to the ' fusee unto the toed of the earth Fie
jstillest throe. of ekar cter and tease- united HM brothrwm with Himself and
!form the chief of shows tato the His Father le sus unbroken messes.
teBrt of Palate. He allied Massif- He 1. yet to make *very man a breth-
wltb poverty and cls eommem peogM er to lis tellow-mai sad to spa with
He is yet to banish poverty with W Its Faller in Hearin.
1
golly she had been toying with, and
fairly flew to the telephone.
In anewer to ber Impatient sum-
mons, she was quickly connected with
Brown ! Co's book store "Have you
sent out those book', that were order-
ed for Mr. William Dunning?" she ask -
tad anxiously
The answer evidently pleased ber,
for she breathed a sigh of relief.
"That'sall right; I'm glad you haven't,
for I have changed my mind about
them. Please cancel the order."
Marjorie hung up the receiver with
an air of triumph. "There. I'm glad I
thought of that! Billy would have
construed a Christmas present i. -'u an
abject apology," she said. her indig-
nation rising at the very thought of
such a thing.
But when she went bark to her par-
cels and picked up the little twig of
holly she had intended tucking away
into one of them, her face softened. "I
know that isn't the right kind of a
r'bristmas spirit to have, but 1 can't
have Billy thinking that 1 am admit.
ting i was wrong. when 1 know I
wasn't;' she argued with herself.
The joyous ringing of Christman
bells and merry shouts of her younger
sisters and brothers, when they dis-
covered their stockings the next morn-
ing. only served to emphasise bor de-
pression.
"Filly 'never loved me: It he teeny
and truly did be never could treat me
like this." she told herself as she stood
looking with unseeing eyes at the
snowy Christmas world.
Just then a young man, fairly tear'
ling around the corner. arrested her at.-
'Gannon.
t.Lennon. it was no less a person than
Billy himself who was coming, post
haste, to see her.
Marjorie looked at him to won-
der. What had come over Billy?
Why this sudden contriticn. witn she
admitted it now for the fir -t time,
even to herself she had been greatly,
1t not altogether, to blame for their
quarrel.
"0, Billy. 1 am so glad you came."
Billy took some little time to emph•-
We-,hla appreciation of her welcome,
(4'-► 1)f -jTA'"
• ;:toe / /141.
114
than "Glad 1 came? Wby woukir't I
come, dear?" he asked.
"itecause you vowed you w.widn't
unless 1 apologized," Marjorie exlnin-
Id lateeklevowty.
"Ton didn't think I'd be so narrow
d unforgiving as to Ignore vont dear
the peace offering! 1 brosght one of
line boob with me to road .ometbtag
you," he told her, and envies fats
s pocket he produced a llttis eop
"Romeo and Juliet"
Marjorie was surprised for • second,
thew it Bashed over her wort It all
Meant Brown & Co. bad forgotten to
Martel her order and Filly bad re-
psleed the books Billy had construed
her sending them tato a bas►le plea
Oar forgi
He meet probably wouldn't hero
tame at .11 If It bade t been for that.
e stiffened visibly and all her love
s swallowed up la a wave at rebel-
s pride
"You ars mistaken," she commenced
imeidly, but Rliy Interrupted bee.
O'Here. i have found It
F'My bounty la as beeedlw as the
sea,
w love ■s deep. the mets 1 give he
thea'
"The mon i hare, ler both aro is
gulfs." be wall wading, and the simple Ey of the lines aerobe something
Madjer,* atronter than pane et re
E
ofd -e. ->'y milled whist he
Msoef'r ' fa, tartmtafa peet
big to rel. dear.'
*
r
HZ club looked just the
very thing Gerald Mao-,
nehley was craving for
—a sense of borne.
A few lines read ac-
cidentally in an out -of
date newspaper had
made blur restless with
longing for the old':
scenes And so he bad!')
traveled two days and nights in a.
sleeper, vaguely connecting his jour-'
saes end with all the love and friend-
ship kis starved nature was demand -
tog.
When he arrived at his old club oa,
a chill. grey Christmas morning, It
was only to find that fifteen years'
/!lent absence had been too severe a ►
test for friendship. Th. place etas!
empty of all but servants. and they
wore strange. unwelcoming faces.
He stood at the ylub window, look-
ing out ou the desolate, demented
street which he had always remits:
bered as being thronged, and • grew .
sadness swept over him.
This was not what he wanted. From
his pocket he drew out the scrap of
paper which had really brought Lim
so many utiles. and looked at 1t bit-
tarly. R was only a death announce-
ment cut from a paper of a year ago,
and ran th the usual way—"tfcbael
!Townley. at his residence," etc
In fancy he saw a sweet-faced
so • d • 1, wbo
sought her hap-
piness only In
the eyes of the
.youth by her side.
,Then were joy -
bells there, too,
as Cher left the
'cbnrch with the
:tr•gramc. of mu-
tual leve about
:them.
The Pella peal-
ed on outside,
and willing fancy led Lim still further
Into the realm of "might have been."
In an Instant he made up his mind
! to visit once more the old-fashioned
cottage not many stiles away, to
which he had hoped fifteen years be-
fore' to take a bride. He would go
and see 1t, even If Its neglected con-
dition only added to his loneliness
,and pain.
Two hours later he was striding
through the crisp country air along a
winding path ~'rich led to a ram-
bling. Ivy-covered cottage.
A. the last 'urn brought him Im
sight of the h: -::se be stopped in sur-
prise. He hal expe-ted to see dirt,
ruin, and dear. hut instead he looked
upon a' trim ',ell -keit cottage. and a
colt, crooning song. in a voice which
reawakened the tender memories of
lung ago. .:me floating through the
unlatched ,! ,or.
1Ia1f be : ring that It must be fancy
leading h:1 still, h.` ent. red the house
roftiy, and. foliowir.y the voice, went
Into the inner room, and stood in the
e:taw of ::e warm firelight
The s ' ee:, tired -faced, middle-aged
stager turred as his shadow fell
across the light. and then stood white
and '-c.nbilrg
"Gerald!" she wr.lspered. "Gerald!
hut' .ou come to reproach me? Not
tod y! Not today!"
T me strong man's voice broke as he
held out his arms.
"Nance!" he cried joyfully.
Ir a moment .he was crushed, sob -
ting, to his breast.
"Oh. Gerald! is It really- you? God
I.- very goodi thought you must be
dr ad."
For i moments they stooe.
thus, the strong
man's tears fall-
ing on her grey -
tinged hair. Then
he gently put her
into a cbafr.
"You are not
alone!" he asked
as his •yrs:
eaught sight of a
little table laid
for two. daintily
spread with
Christmas fan.
"Yes." she answered "I am quite
alote. 1 have often come down here."
"Bet rtes are ezprettng seasebod►r'
be said, calling attention to tri tabs..
Sh. Bushed prettily, looking almost
Oa your( as she bad in his dreams of
phi morning, as she replied
"1 way expeettng you, Gerald."
He smiled bapplly at her; them the
tempe faded. sad be sighed •a he soak
into . chair
"Tile is all foolishness. Names," le
said sadly "Tom could not live bete
to the old days, you could do so less
now, sad I could not live litre on am-
oebae mae'e Thoeetnda.'
A smile hovered over the woman's
tame as she flitted here and there,
busily preparing (\lags for • meal.
Then she slipped behind a chaIr,t
learning over whispered with burnt
cheeks.
"Perhaps you do not know. Gerald.
slat—that Mr Towml.y's s oaey goes
back to his family If—If 1 marry
&gala."
Te teas sprees to LY foot sad
took ter tete his Venlig arms sgel•.
"ft N not too late " b. cried. "We
are still yesag Will you let me ally
to mate you hippy?"
Hee afewer was drowsed fa the
beret of Christmas belie that pealed
frees the village rhurrb New by Bet
its QM ad seed ber weeds, be sold
ON her Wee
NIMMI
Smith's Ar stare
Is tk Christmas Gift Shop
Here you will find Gifts to suit all tastes
and ages, at such small prices.
The largest and most artistic showing of
FRAMED PICTURES
fcom 1t5c up. to $75.00. just think .af.it
Colored Ilial views, heads and landscapes, in
bxlo oval gilt frames, at 50c.
All the new subjects in figures, heads and land-
scapes, in square gilt, brown, circassian walnut or
mahcgany frames, at 25c.
Small Ebony or Gilt oval frames, fitted with
new catchy heads, at 15c. Pictures to suit all purses.
And you know everybody poet Loves pictures. Then we els.,
have • rhoic-- eeowtnwnt r.f !Statuary. Pottery, Fancy Heahet.,
Chins, hetber Go.rd., Fancy Cu -Mons and Winked Novrltie•.
Ladies' Hai. Urn.me.oe, pleln and heilllant Beek C h., boxes ..t
(lurielnow. N..(. Pape., (`e lend -.e. Tate and Seat, ('hti. e.
Card. and Booklets frau 2c up. When you see our gouda the prier
will do tie re.t.
Smith's Art Store
40111
E tit sttret, next Town Hall.
w- 0=1/WNW/ 0111.MME,
I Buy Your Girl a Box of Z
= Chocolates for Christmas •
1
Boys ! No* is the time to choose your fox
of Chocolates for your girl friend. We
have all kinds of thetn, ranging in prices
from 7.1c to $ .110 per lxyx.
HAVE ONE LAID ASIDE NOW
All kinds of Children's Novelties. such as
Stockings, Stores, Crackers, Candy Ani-
mals, large and small, Chocolate Dolls, etc.
Come Early for the Best Ch lice
T.
J. SALKELD
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