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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1936-12-24, Page 3THURS., DEC. 24, 1936 THE CLINTON NEWS -RECORD PAGE 3: Christina* At the Barracks' By HelenGaisfot•d nu lit e-ry i t lir n, Christmas*OS ley Lynes 2ttyars N 6 Wahl Christmas !" Ma lei it tiho'nght passtona'rely. She pressed her fare Mose to the toy w4'ndOW, so passersby week! not notice herr 'burning cheeks 'nor tear Wiled ayes. Smitletoly she was face' to fat's with 1 et—that averehelnitng hinging for some 1 one to make Chriatmas aortntwhile. ` "Why -am 1 -stair a fool?" she asked herself a lseratily. "B grown woman weeping tit a Store Window display 1" She 'kernel) bt' to her lonely flat, •and'stootl lookingttn'the:•minror. Thirty - 'two! "i doli't feel old,' sire said. Alter a Mille she get up and washed' her face, determined to he sensible.: She couldti't •Celt yet—She was too; shrike)—iso the sat down • with the home paper. No use 'tryleg to avoid , the'Christlnas ails, Might us well trace the fact 'that no one really cared ,,,, Veil, why net' tint! .some one? And, then, as thougb•In answer, she saw the ! item 'In'tite paper. I 1 1 1 ':Poor children•of this and neigh- boring communities will be treat- •etl'to a real old-fashioned Christ- mas dinner and tree nt the McIInley barracks. Officers and ',men are proviiling'turkey and all 'the'trimmih'gs,•and several hundred Children are •expeeted. Churches ''andsocial agencies are being *Sired to furnish women` to tact as Chaperones aind also cars'to' trans. port' the Children to the'berracks" .Marcia stepped tttttldiy into the so. cad welfare'burean. "i wonder if yon could use mer to help take the•ohildren ont'to the bar acks:on i!flrristnins, she ,asked. "It wouhl •he 'so .nmch vlieer than—+ -than wrything Disc.." the'finlshed 'HeeWas'Taking the CoatOff.,a'Tousle. Headed Boy. lamely. -She had really meant that it' woutdobe Meer thart. a•symparthy :ill steer invitation from one tor tier friends 1'1 even thought maybe, If I .happened to find'the•rlgdtt.yonngster=f might miopi one" Site -stepped, a littte.breu bless. She hadn't ameaht'to commit ,herself Sri far. iYet therlacly was very kind,•end ..arllaagemeets were easily mle. She ,had never been to the barracks before, and -she thrilled to-the•ride over the -snowy real, but she was ,wore fascleated,by the children mle•. ,her cave. fTheir•too-bright eyes -gttt- rtered,.,and 'they ,pressed sharp noses ,against 'the : oar windows, leaning ,marks where they ,had touched, ,Tiley were .expt+ted, terribly excited, !butJtappy,,tao, ,So was Marcia. !Soy tetind ,excitement .shone from her eyes. Making. her esgally ,pleasant but, rather !plain countenance •tadiont. the ,stood tail ,end straight In :his .officers' uniform, .a!+handsome man, not ,)V1aF1y .years her -senior. As soon .as the children began eating, he oasue over and iptroateeed himself. ',having ,a _geed ,ti.9)e?" he asked. ?Glorious('" ?SO fire yon 'ibW tsit?" Vgittgleits, .of ,eq rse. Don't mind ,iPy bothering, do ,you? I thought you ,seemed, •ivell—tlndersttaanding. When 11 ,ayes,looking At ,you—rremember7" Mar- ,cia .nodded. 'tSomebody epee said that 4f you took .into a pet i 's eyes, you cregte • .a bund that cram never' be broken. II thntl,w,3vhat he meant, now." "t] telt ,it, toe;" :Marcia plurmured. :Cite Hooked about. 'ti spy, ,shall we ditch ifie !pregratn,? tJ'd lite .to show youaeawnd the barracks, if you'll let. inhey didinit ,notice the cold, the fall - lug. snow, tor, later, the ebildeen's , ca+rA,1s. "4oudness'C" Marcia .exelatmed 81t last, 'Tiieetre -leaving. I must loglk after gig tangoed- of youngsters." "Wear 13e caught her hand, held It fast.-t'J't11 wwd to see•yon again,: soon. We ;bane so much in common, You know—we're both lonely, ,rive like children, we et.10. Oheistmas Pertdes— - and I want to know if you like hgking and tobogganing, moytes, operas, Uses of things. Ate, for i;nstanee." "Of course,?" answered Markin, "Reit tet me go now. Here collies that wel- fare lady." She' pulled away. "We were just coifing," she apologized; The lady smiled. "No hurry. - But I wonder—you stud something, you. know—ha1.e you deckled, what child 'you want to adopt?" "Fleavenst"declared Marcia. ''I for - "Well.• why," asked the Soldier, "adept One? i anean—walt until next Christmas. 'Things change so in a ;year,": "in 9 day;" Metalled Ila Cla. IT WAS Christina ee+e acrd Jane Durrtsora was lnt'e!Part'nfi 'to Mese the Book anti 'Cunt i shop after a busy day. The ?door opened and an elderly man Wearing spectacles and a white muffler Catered hurriedly. Setting aside tits gloves and cane% And )tastily scanning •the shelves, he said: "I have 'but a few moments to make a selection; perhaps you could: assist me. Something for an elderly lady." Jane was more than a bookseller; She was reader. And, foo, she could quickly sense the literary taste of an individual. Delving Into a case she brought forth Mrs: Gaskell's "Life of Charlotte Brpnte"; also "Sonnets from the Portuguese" and "Ont of Doors to the Elolyland," all in new holiday bind- ings. "Here are some delightful gift books," she remarked. The gentleman raised 0 pair of sur- priseii eyes and wonderingly surveyed the girl, rather than the books. Draw Ing •a wallet' from his inner coat he replied: "My dear young lady, your excellent choice has tempted me to take all ttiree." Handing Jane a card he con- tinued, "please have them sent over to Miss Adelaide ire'• kills, Barton street, p,„an,,,,af'"• attnlber 78." Thanking' her he dashed out to his eat) and was gone, "Seventy-eight Burton street!" gasped Jane, "and the delivery boy gone for the night on his last round! hocking the store and with Miss Ad- elaide Perkins' glft in the hollow of her arm, the tired girl started orf on her errand, Jane and her widowed mother had lived in Itldgebrook on a small Income. She attended Miss Edmonds' School for Girls as a day student and received a very thorough education. In the eve- nings Jane worked in the town library. 'Her mother passed away and .lane had gone to the city. This was her first Christmas to be alone. At the Perkins address the.tlnor was opened by an elderly lady. "IIy good- ness,. child! A package for mei Do Step in." But before she could close the door a boy called oat: "Telegram for Perkins." "Yes, yes," she said, ell bewildered. "Mercy me, where are my glasses!" and she fumbled around in her pocket, "I'll sign for you, if 1 may;" said Jane. "Yes, please do—dear, dear, where .are my glasses! OIL here they are," and hiss Perkins' tine patient hands trembled as she opened the envelope. "It is from my nieces, the Bosworth .,girls. • They are driving down from Hartland tomorrow afternoon rind will .be here for tea with me around five."' "Your nieces the Bosworth girls!" ,-exclaimed Jane; "not Emilie and '.Susan I Why, they were my best (friends at Miss Esmonds' school," and 'thoughts of Edge- . ;,brook 'duelled • theough her mind. :The J.une com- mencement - Rich: and Bosworth, the tall :brother, up from the .city for the 'festivities. "tAnd )don't for- get, tomorrow at five," ,Called '.Miss P e nig itn-a . as 'Jane was departing. The ,next :,after noon Jane tlielped Miss iPerkins ipnl the 'finishing touches to a table set in blue China .of tivlilnay. pattern. There was the .sounil.of to'motor, then merry voices , in the /hall. Emilie, Susan, Itieband, ,13nale,Garroll,'the elderly gen- tleman who Thad sent :the books, were greeting Miss +Pedl}ns. "Why. Jane iL1srnuiaan•!" ;gasped the.' Bosworth geris ale one !brealh. Then followed srigh ,evened .exclama- tions; the. bliss .51 aleuewed fll'iendsrlip. With a rustle of !iter, ailtken ,silents Miss Perkins led the wsy So +the,dining- room. Jane sat opposite M'iohamul, ti^lhe liked the strength In hie ;bnayntt skint - dere, his well modulated *dee rind fits clear honest eyes. Emntiotae of ;newly nwadtened interest roused her send. • HteIisrd was beaming agrees the ta- te at the young woman in the l4,ue (nock; her quaint Cain, rippling laughter, the glance of her brown eyes and the lift of tier prett.v, shoulders. As the happy gathering moved into the sitting room Jame felt the warmth of a targe hand gripping her own stint one. i,00ltl,ng up, she smiled into Rich- ard's firm and understanding face. HAM -Carroll, - rvltp an approving nod, "stroked his beav(d dee a prophet, and -reflected upon the words of the pee/: Charms strike theSight ant merit. Wine oho soul,• . .. A$ ROSS LIUT'LON bntshed telling his little daughter the story of (.hti iati sfinas, of the shepherds and the Christ 'child, and had as tnatfnlly gas Possible explained abort Santa Claus, Polly heaved a sigh. "Well. 1 think there's a Santy Claus and I hope he .brings me a sheep like the ones In 'he stogy." Tlie day before Christmas, Moss saw a white woolly lamb in the window of a toy shop; He was goal he had walked to his office. Otherwise he might not haveseen the Iamb. He would stop on his way home and get It. But one of the men in the office offered to drive hen home, so the lamb was forgotten until he heard Polly ars she was being put to bed tell her mother she hoped 'Santy" wouldn't forget about the 'sheep." Ross token at his watch and decided the shop would probably still he open. Anne called to him to ask where he was going, and he answered. 'Back in a few minutes." When he lurked his ear before the shop, the thought that the lamb might not he there, struck him for the first. time He felt much relieved, there- fore, when he sow . the Iamb in the window. As he tucked the package under his arm and turned to leave the shop, 0 T13E gigantic' Christmas tree in Fountain square was ablaze with colored lights and decorations. Christmas eve had arrived and the snowy atmosphere wus beautifuily do positing the finishing touches to the grand and wonderful community tree. Even though alt the celebrations had taken place elsewhere the big tree hail never failed to stand 1n its place of hepar in the center of town on Christ• mos eve. Mirth, happiness and laughter• fairly abounded through the Joyous Christ tuns crowds as they thronged the streets blinking through the snowflakes and hurrying on to celebrations. 'rho" seemed to take the' community, tree for grunted until thetillustrtous soon(' of sleighbells was heard in the tile thrice. Sleighbells on Christmas ere- how delectable) All eyes were turne.l In the direction from which' they conte Sona the object of the deitghtful ri!s turbance clime 'into sight. A _bright red Sleigh d,nwn by six horses, eleven ly decorated to represent reindeers turned the corner and hearted tow>ai•i; Fountaain sunare. All traffic was stopped Santa Claus Had Brought Her Sheep and a Baby Doll. little boy came tn. Bess, heard him ask the proprietor If ice still' had the Iamb that was In the :window that morning. He was told the gentleman just leaving had bought it. '1Oh," the disappointment he felt showed in his volte. Wasn't there something else be would like? But there didn't seem to be anything ease. As he got into ills car Ross caught sight of a small boy standing before the window, his gaze fastened on the piece where the lamb Had been. He seemed so disappointed, it was too bad there wasn't another lamb for hen, Ross thought as he drove away, But probably something else would catch his fancy and he would forget all about the lamb. Children were like that, Ross wondered though if Polly would have forgotten so easily. Re scarcely thou4ht so. The poor little thing would have been mightily disappointed. He was glad he had remembered before it was too late. But try as he wouldhe couldn't get the picture of the little fellow out of his mind. Halfway home he turned his ear around and went buck to the shop, The boy had left, so Ross asked the proprietor if he could tell him where the boy lived. He lived Just around the corner. He,often came into the -shop. Tonight he had conte to buy the little lamb for his slnall sister, and was so disappointed when he found it gone The proprietor had tried to interest him In something else, but he hadn't been successful in doing it, Ross Interrupted to know in Just which house the boy lived. Then in order to have some satisfactory excuseto offer at home, he bought a baby doll for Polly. When somewhat later he:eame into the living room where Anne was busy trimming the Christmas tree, she want- ed. to know where 00 earth he had been. Be shook his head and puthis: finger to his lipsas a warning not to. waken Polly. He pieced the package under the tree and with a happy smile he began Helping with the work of trhnnling. 'd'he next molting be was awakened . by Polly's happy, cry that she knew there was a "Santy Claus" because he ltd brought, her a "sheep", and a baby doll Just as she asked him to, Ross sprang out of bed and into the living. rooat. Where could' the "sheep": have come from7 For there was Polly with' a lamp under ole arta and the doll under the other. ,'where?" !toss asked, pointing to the lamb Anne whispered that she had nought ft, "!;here is a Santy Clans, Isn't there, Bodily?" Polly's voice implied she was gtvlpg ,information rather than asking It. Ross heartily agreed with _ her: 'There ,geatninly Is a Santa anus be- yond a douubt.". 4i) Newspaper Union. Christmas Boxes ,living Christmas boxes is said to spring from an old) custom of priests putting on board of ail out -going ships' boxes for alms, 'These were opened at Christmastime and masses said for the rivers of the> alms. The box was 'ailed Christ mass box and from this unies lite eltfitDln of ,Uhrlstinti0 boxes ,nit gifts, Instantly las the children nude n frau tic 'rush rto meet their Snntn—the real Santa Claus front the North pule.! "Il must be the real' one," shoot •l. one little fellow, "for only the tealb true one has reindeers. 1 know, tats, my mother told me so." 'Midst wild shouts of merchnote Santa, himself, in his height red and white costume and long white beard alighted from the sleigh with a Jovial good-natured, "Merry Christmas, merry Christmas to you all t" The citildreo swarmed about hint in aneontrniinhtc confusion as he Joyously dragged forth pack after pack bulging with bright colored toys and dolls of ail descrip Rona. . What could it'tnean? Who wa8 1115 strange real Santa Claus with sleigh and reindeers from the North pule? 'The people marvelled! The children were boisterous and completely out n' control. Everyone forgot his own pan•: ticu]ar celebration and lingered on to see what it was all about. • Then Jolly old St. Nicht, his heard flowing in the breezes, began digging down lute his packs and passing out the toys to the youngsters..' "Oh, boy!" shouted one, "see what I got—an airplane," Then two little girls .cried out, Joyously, as they um wrapped golden -haired dollies. On and on Santa continued as the crowd become greater and greater and the snowstorm grew heavier and'heav- ler. Santa's packs seemed to be end- less. Soon gay colored balloons, deems, harmonicas and gold .and sliver -horns were in evidence on all sides, adding- tri ddin-to the gayety of the Christmas party ' There was a lull as Santa Clans deg down into still another' peek. This time he began hurling large; oranges and sacks of candy into the crowd and they were ditching them 'midst )Huth latigliter and. excitement. Santa himself was having the time of his life, Even more so, than the happy crowd about 'him. For he was chuckling within,' because he had been reminded by a Christmas messenger of love to do this very thing and to become the community Santa Clans. Finally the crowd became impatient to' learn who their strange, chuckling - Santa really was._ Who could It, he. who had given so generously and lm - partially to all? But before they had time to speak, the jolly old fellowwas jostling past people, snow and traffic until he scrambled into his sleigh.* "(tet up, reindeers!" he shorted. With a jerk the sleigh bounded for- ward with Santa wildly shouting; "Merry Christmas, folks, merry Christ. 'mas.'to all t" But he -wasn't to get away so easily for the next moment a strong north wind, whistling around the corner, tore off whiskers. mask and all, and Santa Clans stood revealed in all his ember-' rassment ! A hushed silence at first anti then a wild shout of Joy and surprise fang through the Christmas atmosphere., 'Twas "Indian Pete," the town's most confirmed miser. Never Inall their lives had they seen such a glorious smile on his Pare, as he gazed out from his Christmas regalia and offered his hand In friendly greeting to all. "Indian Pete" (so named because of Ills love for the outdoor life), had given, without thought sof receiving: and had incidentally received name than he ever could have received mit teciaily—the respect and ,tderaatton et, the whole town., the CHRISTMAS S t o Rockies l I . felt thrilled, excited, as our train wound its way in and out through the mountains, thundering through the crisp, pine -scented air. Now, we were climbing an almost pre- cipitous grade, now, slowing down for a dangerous curve, while every little while as a stretching plain was reached, the steady hand upon the throttle sent the long line of cars speeding like an arrow through the bright December sunshine. We were on our way to spend Christ-' mas with 'Uncle Jerry and Aunt Emma. They had sent a hearty invitation for us'to come out, and now we were al- most there. I held my breath at the sheer beauty of the scene that stretched before our e y e s. Mountain peaks that seemed to touch the sky, can- yons dropping thou- sands of feet, lakes covered by glitter - Ing thicknesses of ice, vivid gree n pines, looking like giant Christmas trees. I had never seen, never even visualized anything so beautiful. A loud shriek from the big whistle, a slow crunching and grinding of brakes, and our train came to a stop. Uncle Jerry, rosy and smiling, .stood waiting upon the platform, giving dad, mother, Helen and myself a true west- ern welcome. "Aunt Emma is all excited about your coming," he beamed. A short drive through a wonderland of beauty, and the big sprawling ranch house came in sight. Aunt Emma stood in the doorway, and a cowboy, who was grooming a pony, looked curi- ously at us. I wanted to loop around before going indoors, but tantalizing odors from the kitchen made me sud- denly realize how hungry I was. All was hustle and excitement, hurry and preparattion. Even the horses apt] pontes In the corral seemed excited, as if they sensed something in the air. The afternoon and evening went by on wings. Christmas morolag dawned upon a world that looked even lovelier than It had. yesterday. A million jewels hung on bosh and nee. a sky of turquoise •stretched Itself across the snow-eev. ered mountains and valleys. Inside the tene t; hoose a tire or crackling Ings threw Its ruddy. ;low over the living room, The dining table was spread with weft 11 le foods Break- fast of Koine -cured ham and saasuge. fluffy flapjacks anti s1'1'tlip 8 tilling hot . coffee with Melt Credal 'Then a sitort drive to the tittle church, an insph'htg talk by the pastor, vt d rite strains of the old and beautiful Ch rletaaus hymns; to ighhors noel et!Iellda s 1 Op ping Uuel e .ferry end tent Pl111a 10 vise them "Merry Itrsuatns;" Bach aguln Menial the clear, frosty stir, end ta- re!. the. big "Christ- mas dinner. (]nldea- brown turkey and *ermine on a hig, blue platter. a huge mound of snowy potatoes, native vege• tables and- relishes, tempting pieces or mince and piin!pldn pie. And hest of all, an appetite that only the Hann talus can give.. A. hundred things to see during the afternoon, the horses and ponies, the ranch. equipment, the silver fox farm that: Uncle .leiy hall Just started, and a special show the Cowboys put on for our benefit.: Food again in the evening, and af- ter, a happy titre attend_ the tire. 'file Cowboys Standing around the piano, where Helen played the old Christmas carols, their lusty voices joining In the beautiful words. t I thought. of the beautiful' setting outside as they sang: Silent Night, 11o(y Night! All. is calm, all is bright,. Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy Infant 00 tender aid mild, Sleep In heavenly peace) I stole outside for a few minutes' as they went on to the next lines. A' new moon was sending its silvery light down upon the world, a million stars added their smatter gleam. Around me I felt the faint, mysterious noises of night. in ti,e open places, the stirring Of unseen, unknown things. My' lips and heart Joined In the worths that floated out from the warm, lamp -lit Spent Night, ldoty Nighty Shepherds quake at.. the eight! Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia;'. Christ the Saviour Is born; 1 have spent many a happy and memorable Christmas. hint never one as wonderful, 05 llufnrgettalile, as this Chrislnlas Spent in the. itocities, p" Western Neiw-+paperlln!on. Christmas Twenty Daps in Norway the Christmas celebration continues for 20 days.