Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1939-12-21, Page 6PAGE t THE CLINTON NEWS -RECORD TIJURS., DEC 21, 1939' }�rrrlir.•�rrti-ir.r�.ver.�.vti•.'w.rti'�.•errgwrrvr.�,w..�rr'.•.r'.r.�. ti. YOUR WORLD AND MINE (Gopyright) • by JOHN C. KIi3KWOOD sideliegleeseeleseeeWesseeseeesseeeieesWeisessesesseeeseneleseeteeseieshieser Is not the perraianent and compel- steel blade $' appeal eal of Christmas to all adult l As the crown of his desire. minds embodied in the word "peace"? And he made them weapons sharp and Peace was the theme of the anthem I strong, sung by the heavenly choir on the Til they *hosted loud for glee, natal clay of our Saviour" ---Glory to' And gave him gifts of pearl and gold, God in the Highest and on earth Peace' And spoils of the forest free. andg, oodwill toward men." I And they sang, "Hurrah for Tubal Peace in this present day is thea Cain, greatdesire. What Britain Who has given us strength thew! world's � ,, and France are fighting for today is Hurrah for the smith, hurrah for the a durable peace in Europe, and every -1 fire, where. France are giving both, their And ,hurrah for the metal true!" blood and their treasure that Peace. may sovereignty have soverei t in the earth., But a sudden change came o'er his - And this Christmas the theme of the ' heart Nativity anthem will inspire ton ' Ere the setting of the sun, thousand sermons, and millions upon And Tubal Cain was filled with pain millions of prayers. It is to be hoped 1 For the cull he had done. He saw that men, with rage.and hate, that there will be a dedication oil countless persons in all lands to a Made war upon their, kind, That the land was red with the blood they shred, In their lust for carnage blind. And he said, "Alas that ever I made, Or that skill of mine should plan The spear and the sword for men Whose joy Is to slay their fellow ; men." And for many a day .Old Tubal . Cain Sat brooding o'er his 'woe, And his hand forebore to smite the ore, And his furnace ,smouldered love music and song — in happy greet- But he rose at last with a cheerful Ings, in merriment. Meanness and face, Anda bright courageous eye, And bared his strong right arm for work, While the quick flame mounted high And he sang, "Hurrah for my handi- work!" service whose object is Peace—per- manent peace. Not peace as individ ' uals may define it, but Peace as Heaven defines it -that Peace which is bore of the •love of man for God. and. the love of man for his fellow- men. We should make Peace visible and tangible - by means of exhibits of goodwill. Goodwill expresses itself by the interchance of gifts. Goodwill and generosity go hand in hand, Good- will expresses itself tunefully — in selfishness and nastiness and bitter- ness and hatred are for one day at least, to be pushed aside. On Christ- mas Day we try—or should try—to be civil --civilized. On Christmas. Day we get, nearer to Heaseen's will for all mankind than at any other time of And the red sparks lit the air. all the year. It is a good thing that "Not alone for the blade was bright at least once a year, on the same day, stew, leaden— the whole Christian world sings the And he fashioned the first plough - heavenly chorus --"Glory, to .God in share. the highest and -ori earthpeice.and ,goodwill toward a"� And men, taught wisdom from the past, I, in conclusion; quote that familiar In friendship joined their hands, poem by Charles Mackay,"Taal Hung the sword in the hall, the spear Cain," •it may be read' afresh with on the wall, special appreciation at this particular And ploughed the willing lands, time. And sang, "Hurrah for Tubal Cain! Old Tubal Cain was a Tarn of might Our staunch good friend is he. And for the ploughshare and the In the days when Earth was young; plough By the fierce red light Of his furnace To ;him our praise shall be, bright The strokes of his hammer rung. And he lifted high his brawny hand But while oppression lifts its head, Or a tyrant would be lord, Though we may thank him for the On the iron glowing clear, plough, Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet We'll not forget the sword." showers As he fashioned the sword and spear. - And he sang, "Hurrah for my handi- world Hurrah for the spear and the sword! Hurrah for the hand that shall wield them well, x'or he shall be king and lord." To Tubal Cain came many a one, As he wrought by his roaring fire, And each one prayed for a strong 'The porta Fete in %Oath 'obtuse s., be. ,Theta" STORES IN DANGER AS • GASOLINE ENTERS SEWER A very peculiar thing happened on Wednesday at Brussels when a gas- oline truck was filling a tank in town it overflowed and gallons of gat ran into the sewer on the east side of the town. Fumes from it filled the stores and the storekeepers were forced to open all doors and iteep them open.. At last it was decided to flush the sewers with water. The fire engine was taken out and the servers thor- oughly washed out which soon reliev- ed the situation which was considered quite ,serious, SSeeneteieseteseimeteleteseVateleleteteleteeeteleigelenteeeeteteeeeieieleleteleleeteteas The Feast of St Nicholas By JOAN WELLS h C,N.R, Magazine NI -Ani -2174,79i 2a1-22- i2a1-22- t7 124:'+ ,RatgiS7>11r'!atis 1al7mamlanw Once upon a time -oh, many cent- Ted coat instead of the ecclesiastical. inlets ago, away back at the beginning' cope,• a tassled touque instead .of the of the Christian era: -there lived alinitre and carrying, instead of the great bishop named Nicholas. Seine( crozier, a bag stuffed with toys. It. of the most beautiful, legends we have! is hard to know' just how the trans grew like flowers out of his long and 'formation about, but many na- blessed life, stories of miracles that)tions had their part in it—the Rus - will never be forgotten. jsians (St. Nicholas is the patron saint When he was a tiny baby, they say, of old Russia), the Germans, :tihe he ,stood up in his bath one day, folded Dutch and the Scandinavians. Charles his" littlehands and prayed for two Dickens, probably added something as hours. When he was a small lad go- he glorified the Christmas spirit in ing to school, he changed the lives his immortal story of Scrooge and the of sad, sin -broken people by the pow- Cratchits. Modern life has somewhat er of his beauty, his goodness and changed the character of Santa Claus, his love. When he was a man, travel- too. In steam -heated apartments it is ling across the stormy sea, he calmed not easy to imagine him sliding,d'own the raging waves by his prayers and the chimney; many children cannot ever since that time he has been the hang ,their stockings up by 'the fire - patron saint of sailors. He restores place, because there is no fireplace. to life a child who had been burned, With fast airplanes quite as romantic, he .brought back three little boys who he .might as Well put his faithful had been murdered by a cruel butcher. reindeer out to graze through a - Their tender young bodies had been peaceful old age. Re sends telegrams, cutup and put into brine to be sold he even speaks on the radio. He ap= for meat, but Nicholas found them pears in person in the streets and and made them whole and the butcher the shops 'of the big cities. fell on his knees in amazement and repentance. Santa Claus ha s become modern,. but be is still the same old Santa These are only a few of the mit- Claus. He brings childhood one of its acles that havle come down to us from greatest thrills; he snakes old hearts the centuries. Whether they are true young again; he makes the rackety, or not does not matter: they may be screeching lumbering wheels of a sad taken as symbolic of the deeds of a world run smoothly for at least a few man who became one of the most days in the year. Like the saint he loved saints in human history. was in the earlier • days of ' Christ- sanity, 'he stands for love, for peace Nicholas was born in Patara in the and good will. Above all, he stands province of Lyda, at the eastern end for the Christ Child, born in a man - of the Mediterranean. His father was ger, for the .Man who was called the the Wealthy Eup'hemius; his uncle was Prince of Peace. the Bishop of Myra. When, he was only twenty. his mother and father) In the whirl of the happiest holiday both died in a plague and the young of the year, we do •not forget what Nicholas was left with a fortune. But lies behind the tinsel, the lights, the he was not of a mind •to;be a man of hurrying .crowds, +the feverish shop pleasure, He gave away:all his wealth ping, the big dinners. Nicolas of Myra save only three purses iif gold. These would no doubt have considered much he intended to provide subsistence for of our festivities pagan. Perhaps they the rest of his .lifer But he could not are. In the speed and complexity of keep even these. A. lord who had lost modern life, these things sometimes all his money was about to sell his get away from us. Yet the gaiety three daughters into slavery. When springs from good fellowship and Nicholas heard of their plight, the good fellowship is inspired by love. came by stealth and threw the three; Mothers and fathers love their chit - purses in through the window. The dren and at Christmas time, in the daughters then had dowries and be- name of Santa Claus and the Child came brides instead of slaves. i of Bethlehem, they show it by a little something extra, by giving a Iittle So by »stealth came St. Nicholas, something more. Childen• are taught long after his death, to bring presents to express their love by giving. In- to little children. After many years orf deed, with example rather than pre - good deeds and of persecution—even cept before them, it scarcely requires his high place as Bishop. of Myra, fol- teaohing. Love and generosity spring lowing his uncle, did not save him•quickly and spontaneously. from imprisonment and torture as het went about the world driving out; Friendships that have lain dormant paganism --Nicholas died'. The an- throughout the year are revived •by niversary of his death, December (i,' gifts, letter's, cards, telegrams. Old became the feast day of the saint and grudges ere forgotten In the heat of it was on that day he was supposed the last war, did, not the soldiers to come secretly and leave 'his gifts. remember on Christmas Day that Ultimately, in many countries, the they were fellow men rather than tradition became identified -with enemies? Strangers greet one an - Christmas, and for hundreds of thous-.' other with smiles and good wishes. ands of boys and girls St. Nicholas The Christmas spirit, as it is called, is Santa Claus, which is a mispro-;the spirit of brotherhood, seems to nunciation of the Dutch way of say-' unite the whole world and men long to ing his name—St. Nihlaas. see it spread out over the whole year, Tho gentle dignified bishop with to break down prejudices and mis- mitre and crozier who lived in south understandings, to establish peace ern Asia Minor became the fat, jolly among the nations. So far, they Santa Claus of the north that we all havent been able to manage it, but know, white -bearded (as was St, that it is possible even once a year is something to build hope upon. Nicholas) but wearing a red, fur -trim - aeeese 1-'! The NEW Small FARMALL .. , with "Cults -Vision" Harvester's new rubber -tired FARMALL-A will be here soon. We saw it the other day at the Company-owned branch and it's the swellest little all-purpose tractor' in the $500 price class! You can sit in the seat anti see when you ride the FARMALL-A. "Culti-Vision" gives you a clear view of your work, while you ride comfortably in a roomy upholstered seat. No neck craning. No body twisting. The modern 4 -cylinder engine gives you power, smooth operation, and fuel economy, It has replaceable cylinders, Toccn/hardened crankshaft, overhead valves, and full force- feed- lubrication. The transmission gives you three ideal working speeds and a 10. mile road speed to take you where you want to go in a hurry. We wanted to bring one of' these new FARMALL-A tractors back with us, so you could have a look at it right away, bur there weren't enough to go around. We'll have one before long, though, and you'll really want to see it, It's the tractor to do all the work on a small farm, or to replace the last team on a large farm! Giveus a ring on the phone and let us tell you more about the FARMALL-A. CLIFFORD PROCTOR cLINTON, ONTARIO Christmas is of course not a day but a season It starts weeks and weeks before the 25th of December, as parents and uncles and aunts begin sounding out the young enes to learn what gifts would please them most, begin stowing away in clothes closets and bureau drawers packages which are to be surprises on the great morn- ings oraing•. With many, there are presents_ to be sent overseas and they must be mailed early. The wise, of course, do all theirshopping early: they have the best choice and the least worry and scurry and they do a good deed by taking some of the burden off harrassed shopgirls and delivery men. Well, Christmas 'has come round again, with all its excitement, its •sur- prises, Its memories, its bubbling up, , of good fellowship. Many of us imagine it is only for the children. Perhaps the yougsters do havle the most fun out of it, and there is no better way to be happy yourself than by making a "child happy. But we can all be children at Christmas. It doesn't seem to do the world any harm. In fact, it does the world so much' good that we can't think of a better wish than this: "Happy Christ mos!' And .may the glow of theseason spread through all the New Year and get into the affairs of the nations!" KINGG GEORGE MARKS HIS 44TH BIRTHDAY The King celebralted his 44th birth- day anniversary last Thursday by working as, usual in Buckingham Pal- ace, but he found time to hold a small family luncheon party with the Queen. The Duke and Duchess of ICent, the Duchess'of Gloucester and the Prin- cess Royal, al'` 'l of whom are staying at the palace, were present, and Queen Mary traveled to London to attend. Among the many birthday presents received.. during the day were two packages froth Scotland, gifts , of Princess' Elizabeth' and Princess 1Vjargaset Rose? Telegranis and fetters of cons gratulation arrived at the palace an. hundred's, numbering almost twice as many as usually arrive in pence time, SIDE-LIGlTS ON CURISTMA5 Odds and Ends of Information Per - tattling to Great Festival, Good King Wenceslaus, of Carol fame, was a King of Bohemia, Tennyson onee'refused an offer of 11,00.0 for a short set of .verses for Christmas cards, The Eve of:: Epiphany, or Twelfth Night (January 6) is to the children of Rome "What Christmas is to ue. Straw is said to be used for decor. ation In Greek homes on Christmas day to memory of the stable 01 Bethlehem, Christmas carols. originated in. the eleventh century, being sung between. the scenes of the miracle and bays., tery"plays ot'the period. The turkey has•not always been the favorite bird on the Christmas menu, the peacock, in ancient times, taking its place on the festive board, The oldest -name for "Chrlstmas is "The •Feast of Lights,' ie remain• Mance of the .lighted, beavens which the angels appeared on the first Chrlstmas»day, Chrlstmas boxes got their name from'. the • boxes - made of clay —1n which, at Christmas, apprentices, had .the right to collect gifts of money from their masters' customers. The use of the Chrtstmak wreath is.. believed to be traceable to the pagan custom of decorating buildings and placesof worship at the feast which took place at the same time as. our Christmas, The wr,eatb ls'not used to such a,great extent in Eu- rope as in Canada, although decor. ations with evergreens are' mucb used. AWAKES 'NOBLEST -TRAITS Yuletide Season a Joyous Tonic for Careworn World. Come winds of the North, irom'tbe land o'•anow and ice, blow the horns and Aug the bells. Speed .the wings of Christmas. Chrlstmas is needed everywhere. It takes the magic df Christmas time to change the drab and gloom to brighter colors and joy Christmas Is a fine old tonic, II i`ejuvehates the earth and brings the pleasures of youth to all mankind, It brings relays of health and peace; of hope and cheer to a weary hare working -world. It brings new inspir- ation and adds zsst to life. It brings the grace of happiness, alike to the hovels of the poor and the mansions of the rich. It weaves evergreens Into garlands of eternal hope and hangs them in the homes of then It comes with simple pleasures for dreary lives and hangsa blazing star above the caverns of despair. There is no charm like Christmas to drive out greed and selfishness, to soften hate and temper malice. It rebukes the lawless spirit. ft brings to life and action the noblest traits of men. Christmas is the last and rich- est grace given to the dying year. THREE YULETIDES EACH YEAR. Three Denominations Observe Great Festival on Different Days. There Is one place where Christ- mas is kept three times a year—in the Church of Nativity at Bethlehem, the reputed site of the Stable of the Inn, The Roman, Greek and Armenian Greek bodies have each their respec- tive section of the church, but their Christmas celehrations do not occur on the same day. The Lathe Christmas is celebrated at the Roman Catholic altar on De- cember 25. Thirteendays later the Orthodox Easterns perform the Creek rite, An- other 13 days later tite Armenian church keeps its own ceremonial of Byzantine faith. "AS LITTLE CHILDREN The survival power of Christmas its persistence as a world-wide fes- tival, lies in the feet that It quickens nall ofusthe sense of man ,tin• i hu 'ship. 11 gets beneath the surface cynicism and releases those tiner im• pulses which we all possess, For a day we become again "as little chil- dren" and the child in our midst is the symbol of the joy which we seek, A Merry Christman then - merry. because it bringe to us the vision of love ruling in the hearts of men, and renewed hope that the dream of a day may yet become the perpetual reality. • THC CHRISTMAS TREE. The Christmas tree is supposed by great numbers of people to have originated In Germany, but the Christmas tree chine In the first in- stance from Egypt, and its origin dates from a period meet .earlier than the Christian era,. The palm tree is known to put forth a branch every month, and a spray of this tree with 12 shoots on It was used le Egypt' at the time of the winter sol- stice as a symbol- of the completed year. Origin of Christmas Cards. Sir Henry Cole. an English social and educational reformer, invented the firstChristmascard. It was six Inches io;g and four inches wide, and depicted In the panels formed: by a leafy trellis two acts of charity— clothing the needing and feeding the hungry. Twelfth Night. Twelfth night is January 5, the eve of Twelfth day, or the Feast of the .Epiphany, twelve days after Christmas. Formerly this last of the Christmas holidays was the occasion of great merrymaking: Flags flew from all Government of- fices to mark the anniversary, but because of the danger of the noise being mistaken for. that of an air raid, the weal royal salute. Was not fired. The official observance oe the King's birthday is held during the The King replied to the congratula- tions of the lord' mayor of London with "heartfelt thanks" and to, citizens "whose good wishes I value, particu- larly.ata trine°such as this." YUIETiDE CEREMONIES Many of Our Customs Are Carry• Overs From the Dim Past, When Feasting Meant Something, Our ancestors had .numerous- cere- monies perteinin€? to Christmas that are half forgotten to -day. Thera was a pretty superstition. connected with the decoration of houses with evergreen, it was be keyed that sylvan sprites migli( flock to the branches and remain on nipped by frost until a;milder season The popular expression, "sub rosa,'' meaning anything told in confidence. was derived from the old custom bi guestswearingchaplets of holly, mis• tletoe, ivy and rosemary at the an- nual festivals where a rose generally was hung over the tables, The es pression, "beneath the mistletoe" 1r• said to. have the same derivation. -And then we learn of the old superstition ,that.ozen fell on their knees o0 ,Old Christmas,' January''6 The belief was based on the medieval notion that the cattle In the stable. witnessing 41¢2e'' Nativity, fell upoo their knees'I'd supplication. Those who know something otrtbe times of Charles H. are familiar with the astonishing menus served 'guests by 'the noble' hosts of that day. And those among the readers of these lines who Imagine they will dine sumptuously when partaking of their roast turkey, oranberry'sauce:an'd all the "fixings" .when the day ,of days arrives, should meditate .on. the fol- lowing account of an' almost Untie' Revable Chrlstmas pie which is told about ' in the 'Newcastle Chronicle. January. 3, 17711: "Monday last was brought from Howick to -Berwick, to he shipped to London, for Sir .tlen. Grey, batt., a pie, the contents whereof are as fol- lows. vfz,: 2 'bushels. of dour, 20 .pounds .of butter, 4 geese, 2 Unities, 2 rabbits; 4 wild ducks. 2'woodcocks, 6 snipes and 4 partridges; 2 neats' tongues;.2:curlews, 7 blackbirds, and 6 pigeons. The Christmaspie was made -by Mrs, Dorothy' Patterson, housekeeper at Flowick, ttis near 9 Leet In clreuaiferenee•at the' bottom, weighs about 12 stones, 'will take 2 men to.pi•esent it at table; it is neat- ly fitted with a case and tour small wheels to facilitate rte use to ,every .guest that inclines to partake of its contents at table." ROSE PETAL CHAINS Rarely Perfumed Necklaces Easily Made by Amateurs. Why not utilize the rose petals for Christmas presents? Fill some pots pourri jars with them and the spices will aid in capturing the rose frag- rance and keeping it for years. Wonderful chains can be made from them which are a Continued delight. Put the leaves through the food chopper each day for seven days and stir between times. Keep them in an old Iron kettle Which Is somewhat rusty, as the ac- tion of the iron rust and some qual- ity in the rose petals work together to make the finished product beau- tiful. At the end of seven days, with the aid of a little water for moistening, the macerated petals may .be care- fully formed into any desired shape or size and placed in rows on pins to dry and harden, and also to make the necessary openings for the string The rare scent of the rose garden always clings to them and they mas be used to impart It to the dainty lingeries when not being worn. BLESSING RIVER DANUBE, Curious Custom Followed for Cen- turies In Rumania, It has been the custom in Rumania from time immemorial to b'ess the Danube on Christmas day. A proces- sion of priests and people dressed to represent Biblical characters moves through the streets singing chants and so to the bank of the river. The Ice is broken, and a small wooden cross Is thrown into the water. Any one who can recover this cross Is regarded as extremely fortunate and sure of good luck tor the year to comb, NAT'Utbl7'S FABRIC. Birch Bark Makes Unusual and Pretty Christmas Gifts. The birch, when it gets too big tor Its clothes, cracks the bark a few layers at a time, and the wind pulls off long, thin streamers of ex tiei e laduskyw tints of silvery ywhite b rbro n, from which boxes and baskets may be fashioned for Christmas which are out of the ordinary. Rustic looking place cards may be made for the friend who gives unique luncheons The camper friends might find nap- kin rings made of it convenient. Christtnas and the Birds. it is said that no peasant In Swe- den will sit down with his children to Christmas dinner until he has provided food for the birds, The tanners erect poles in their door - yards to which sheafs of grain are bound, to provide for birds through the season when vegetation is cover - Id with snow and ice. [robin Hood Died Christmas Eve. That It was on Christmas Ave in the year 1247 that a certain daring son of a noble house, one "Robin Hood," bid good -by to his dougbty comrade, "Little John," and breath- ed his last beneath the ancient oaks that witnessed their bold escapades. Think tt Over. A good conscience is a continual Christmas. „ EN PARTY" WELCOMES NEWCOMERS You've often heard of a "hest party" but probably you neer heard of one just like this. Mr. and Mrs.' Dan Mossop and eleven children moved re- cently to a farm in Osprey township, north.of Dundalk. By way of welco'n- ing the newcomers, their neighbors hit upon a unique plan. Each one of them brought a live hen, white he Yn They 1101 ETTY PRICE dabbed a spot of rouge'on each cheek, tauchedll ,the places lightly for a, nettiral. effect, then dipped in the,perfutets bottle and rubbed the back of her •' small ear$.., Tilting back the blurred ,mirror, , she surveyed herself diticaIly. The • effect seemed entirely satisfaptory. 'Bette sighed ecstatically."I look; like ^a million dollars;" she breathed, 1I, I can almost convince tnyself" •thatdl ama. great lady tonight" Careful•Iy:'her silver-slippered feet;:• descended the narrow stairs, She-'• must. get ;away as quickly as pas--- sible, Whit would the unromantic- • It¢r. and Mrs. James Barstow say if they saw the Cinderella of their • kitchen "arrayed' in garments like these? Betty chuckled at the • thought. They' would think she.had gone' crazy if they found out that: she had spent; .a whole month's,. salary to rent tiie things eke was. wearing, and to buy a ticket for the,- opera. "But they never will find ' out," she told herself, as 'she Bare -- fully closed the back door behind;' her. At the corner, she waited for a : ,cab. Ott th'e way down, she hearth the voice of. Christmas everywhere. She saw its symbols in shop win dows; in arches df green and red's' Her prince was standing itt the., doorway, his evening clothes re placed by clean blue overalls. strung across the streets. She told. herself it must be the Christmas: feeling in the air that made her de, this• daring thing. It was utterly• ridiculous to dress up like a great. lady, but one had to be different at. Christmas. And life had been pretty dull for Betty since she had to ac- cept the work she was doing. it of= fered very little inspiration. The story of the opera took her back to a medieval world. In a few• moments she was completely lost ins its atmosphere, so much so that. she failed to notice that the man seated at her right was sending ad- miring glances in her direction, When the curtain went up, he leaned over and spoke. "I love this," he said simply. "I do, too," Betty answered, with. a little catch in her voice. It seemed incredible that he was speaking to her, He was really acting as if she belonged. By the time the curtain went up again they were calling each other Prince and Princess: taking the names of the two leading ^i'eracters on the stage. As the great drama moved to its close Betty tried to hurry away, She didn't want her Prince to find out what an impostor she was. But he had taken hold of her arm. "Couldn't we go and have some cof- fee?" he suggested. "I know I'm a stranger to you, but—but it's. Christmas—and--" "I should say 'no'," Betty told herself. "I should even tell him the truth about myself." Instead. , she accompanied him to the coffee shop across the street. She couldn't deny herself this one hour of happi- ness. After it was over, well—Bet- ty would not let her thoughts go fur- ther, She almost forgot that she was playing a part as they sat together. They seemedto have so much in common, He had read widely -the type of books she liked; he took an interest in so many things she - liked; seemed to be as romantic and visionary as herself. But be spoke no word to indicate that he - wanted to see her again, She had. been foolish to expect it. Gloom enveloped the world for Betty next morning, As if to add to her humiliation and misery, a clogged -up drain Was sending oozy brown water back into the sink. Her• feet dragged across the floor as she• answered the plumber's knock. Then the world spun dizzily, around her for a moment. A. rush, of joy, of wonder, lifted her heart. Her Prince was standing in the. doorway, his evening clothes re- placed by clean blue overalls, his,- good-looking face wrinkled in bewih derinent. "I --I thought you were—" he, stammered. "And I—I thought you were,—'" Betty gasped in answer, P When explanations were over, a, make-believe Prince and Princess were wondering if Christmas wasn't the very nicest time for a wedding, ceremony. presented to the Messep family. By'• the time all the neighbors had sir - 'rived with their gift' there were bane of all colons, breeds and ages --• 27 of them in all. The address ac- companying the unique gift read: "As they (the hens) cackle eaob day, may they reinied you of your friends here this evening." Now "the, hens are having .quite a time 'finding out. "who's who and getting aceustocneol. to their new surroundings..