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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1926-12-16, Page 2FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH BY MARY ,.N. PRESCOTT. Peggy was the little maid -of -4s men bringing gifts of frankincense rv+ork in a big boarding-house She and myrrh, She didn't know what waited on table, answered the, door? frankincense and myrrh Wright be, but bell, ran errands and washed dishes, something worth giving, she supposed. doing whatsoever her little roagli One of the housemaids had told her hands found to do with all her might. the Bible story of Christmas. If she Yet, she was scolded much of the gave all her money to blind Susan, time because she was too slow or too wouldn't that be something like frank - quick. The cook seolsted; so poor incense and myrrh? Peggy was in hot water even when she Before the bells bad done ringing, was not washing dishes or scouring she was knocking at Miss Good - floors enough's door, with the tin mustard If .anything was missing, Peggy had box in her hand. mislaid it, of course; if anything was "I for blind Sisan, said ea broken, Peggy was to blame; if the"fia r dspresent help her fire was low, she had forgotten to feed see all the meautiful things other folks it; if the lamp smoked, Peggy was at see." the bottom of it. I'm not sure that they didn't take her to do when the weather was bad. es "Where did you get it, Peggy?" asked Miss Goodenough. "I saved it. 'I've been a long time All the help she lead was from the saving of It. I thought maybe some- dumb Betty. Maybe you think the time there'd be enough to pay for some dumb Betty is a girl who cannot learning, you know, and a real reader; speak? But though it is nothing of but I don't care about that now. Su the kind, yet it runs up and down be- sen oughter see things fust, It's a tween the kitchen and the dining -room Christmas present to her. I never on errands, sends up the breakfast made one before," a little proudly. piping hot, and carries down the `"i"hank you!" said Miss Good- dishes without breaking a handle off enough, rather shortly. a eup. It saved Peggy many a step. She didn't dare trust her voice to She felt as if it were a friend to her. say more, Peggy, the little sitp-shod At Christmas time, Peggy used to maid -of -all work, seemed suddenly to wonder what the little children were wear a halo about her head. They going to have in their stockings. She had been entertaining an angel un - thought she would Pike to see Santa awares in the boarding -house -kitchen. Claus filling thein up with toys and Peggy was singing about her work sweetmeats, and rather wondered why on Christmas morning. The dumb he never happened in at Miss Crane's. Betty had just come up with a hot boarding-house. i breakfast, .and' she was busy setting At any rate, It was a comfort to; it upon the table, when Miss Good - know that pretty things were in the i enough came down stairs. world for somebody to enjoy, even if she could not have any of them. She was so used to being neglected and forgotten, that it never occurred to her anybody ought to remember her. "I wish you a merry Christmas, Peggy," said, she. "Thank you! There was a bit of snow last night, and the plum -bush in the yard looks like a Christmas -tree." Who was there to remember her? Once i "Did you ever see a Christmas - she had hung up her stocking, to -be- tree?" sure, on the door -bell of the basement, "No, warm; but I guessed what it and had found it nearly filled with snow in the Morning. It wasn't very encouraging. She used to wonder if she would ever know how to read. She was twelve years old, but small and child- ish looking. She had learned some of the totters of the alphabet from the signs or the stores where she was sent on errands. Mr. Millet, the grocer, began with an "M," that was plain enough—a great gilt letter that anybody ;';dight know. Then she knew where to look for "B" at the baker's, She sometimes asked Bridget how tot But Peggy was crying on Christmas spell this or that simple word, and' morning, 'and the halo was around Bridget, who had no ambition to ;'earn, Miss Goodenough's head this time. but was yet ashamed to confess her =' i be a scolding spa. if she didn't leave learning a ;lone, which was for her bet- ters, and think about her work. was like. I watched the children across the way this morning, They had very long legs to their stockings, all full to the toes." "I've been talking to your mistress about you, Peggy," said Miss Good- enough, "and she says you may go to the evening school, where you will be taught how to read and write; and you may begin to -morrow night." "Me?" cried Peggy. "If ever I heard of such a thing! You're sure it's mom? It is a merry Christmas, ain't it, though? My, it's as good as frankincense and -myrrh! It's—it's—" gnoranee, would tell her there would Everywhere. Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas to -night! If any of the boarders gave Peggy Christmas in lands of the fir -tree and a few coppers for running an errand, pine' or if anything was left over from her Christmas in lands of the palm -tree wages after buying her clothes, she and vine, would put the money away in an old Christmas where snowpeaks stand tin mustard -box, thinking that some solemn and white, time she might get enough together to Christmas where coin• fields lie sunny pay for some schooling. and bright; She never knew how much she had, Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas not being able to count above ten; but tonight! she used to take all the pieces out, by 'Christmas where children are hopeful way of recreation, and look at them and gay, lovingly after she had gone up to bed and before her inch of 'candle hat burned out. One day she heard Miss Goodenough saying at the breakfast table: "If we can raise money enough, lit- tle Susan Flynn, the washerwoman's Everywhere, everywhere Christmas child, will have the cataracts removed from her eyes and be able to see to-night1 again." "Dear me!" thought Peggy. "She's Prince :of Wales laying a wreath at the Cenotaph in London, as part of - the exercises on Armistice Day, when the eighth anniversary of the ces- sation of hostitlitties In the, ;greet war was marked with solemn grandeur In London, Christmas where old men are patient and gray; Christmas where peace, like a dove in its flight, Broods o'er brave men In the heart of the fight; The Jolly Jelly Clan. u ur a o$ than mel Supposing I A clever gift idea is to decorate the couldn't see to s'et the .dishes or any- thing"? And then there's a sight of sensible glass of jelly in such a man - things a girl likes to la ok at. There's ner that the decorations are almost the green grass and the trees, and the as attractive as the glistening con- birdd on the common, and the shop- tents. Crepe or issue paper is ar- windows, and people's faces, and air ranged around the glass to form a stars after you've gone to bed, nights!' dress for a doll. "I don't know as we shall get enough Next a cap is adjusted. This is money," Miss Goodenough was saying. "I've begged right and left. Susan': mother has to lean fur alone, days when she has work, to grope her way about, tidying up the house and keep- ing the fire bright. What long days they must be to her! I think I'll try to raise a collection here timing the boarders." .. Peggy took out her treasure box that night, and looked at the bright pieces lovingly. Then she began to build her poor little castle in the air. She was at schools she had a real reader; she could spell words of three sy'llairles. `Wert she had reached the third ;Morey of her castle, her tiny bit of dandle went out and left her in dark- ness. That reminded• her of blind u " , give it all—every cent of it--- to Mies Goodlenough," she .thought, "for blind 8 -mean, to buy daylight for her for a Christmas present. I never made a Christmas present before-- never, erf re••• -never, in all my life! Oh, dear!—but 31 shall never learn to read if I do; and [4,erhaps Susan will never see again 1 don't, I should like to give a rislnhas presentust once; and how slrpriaed Susan will 'be when she sees e sun and the blue s. y+I I should •'0 to 'kilo* how to rend,; but Susan. rlynn otiert`, to have her own eYes," .fust then the Christmas dells began to ring. - Peggy thou ht of all the stockings banging in the : chimney corners of comfortable homes; of little children dreaming in warm beds; of the infect Jesus in the Manger, and the wise made of stiff white paper which is folded down around the edges of the glass and ties in place with a large bow, to which is attached a card saying, "We are front the Jolly Jelly Clan, and bring good cheer to you,". or any other appropriate greeting. The card should be covered with tiny sketches of elfin figures. The face is made of an oval bit of white paper,. with the features outlined upon it. This requires but fl few minutes' work and is especially diverting as a, gift to an invalid. The famous aboard; his irlsherran. lane Qrey author, as ilke t1Le r a•maeted Ziff IN BETHLEHEM Bolla. was the night in Bethlehem— Fragrant and still; And under the shag of a little hill That'shte�ltered thein, Drowsy and warm lay the huddled sheep, While the •sheep -boys beside them, half asleep, Stirred, uneasy, and seemed to keep Watch for they 'mew not what good or i11. Oh, still was the might in Bethlehem— Holy and still! Then through the dusk of the darkling night, Through the brooding gloom, There broke .a flare, the sudden bloom Of ineffable light; A nziglity noise as of rushing wings ,' And all through the dazzle and thunderings A deep strange thrill of unspeakable things That onearthcould ,scarce find room. Oh, full was the night in Bethlehem Of glory and light 1 Surprised and dazzled and sore distraught The sheep -boys lay, In a radiance greater than, any day, Which They fathomed not. And they s..e.emd to hear from, a chairing throng The rhytivn O om.'e, celestial song, Through the aethers lifted and borne along From the deepest deeps to the faraway. Oh, glad was the night in Bethlehem For the coming day! "Glory and glory 1" the voices sang, "Glory and peace!" In a dream of unearthly harmonies The anthem rang. "This night is born to the souls of men A light that can never go out again, Whatever tumults or woes they ken ; For this is the guerdon of Man's release!" Oh, glory there was in Bethlehem— Glory and peace! Think not the evangel given us Could forfeit be, Nor the promise become to humanity Less glorious ; For that peace of God is our heritage. Down the centuries comes the gage,— Freedom and power to every age, Beyond all dreams of mortality : And the light shines ever from Bethlehem Victorious! —Julia P. Dabney. At Bethlehem. The shepherds came in haste, And left to angels' care l'he sheep upon the waste, And saw a sight most falx --- Baby and mother lay Warm in the manger's hay. No burning Iamp gave light, But through the open door Stars shcne across the night More .bright than ere before -- God's candies flickering Soft lit the new-born Xing, Jesus, who lightened them With starry candle -flame Coming to Bethlehem To praise thy holy name. At thy Nativity- 13e ativityBe thou a Light to me. ---Wostminsber Gazette. Cradle Hymn, Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus- laid down his sweet head.. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay— The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes, I love Thee, Lord Jesus: - Look down - from the sky. And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. —Martin Luther, Christmas Talk. Holly is the plant of the optimist. It shines bast and looks Loveliest when the lights are low, when the curtains are closed. It is the symbol of cheer within, when the storm rages without. Holly is a winter green; it bears its brightest fruit when other trees are as bare as broomstioks. Shakespeare wrote: "Heigh -0 the holly! This life is most jolly!" He )rad • just been talking about "man's ingratitude," and "friend re- membered not." He says, in effect: "Never mind, there are good fellows left who have a sprig of holly in their nature; who can be cheerful when things aro groggy; who can put forth the leaves of hope when everybody else is shedding them; who can deck themselves with the scarlet berries of good nature, thankfulness, kindness, charity, when other people button up their pockets and harden their hearts!" He calls these people "the salt of the earth," sunshiny souls in the midst of sulky gloom. And he was right. The First Christmas. Where man was all too marred with sin, The lowly kine were bidden in; Where.. angels were unfit t• ..come, These humble entered holydom— There in the stable with the beast, The Christmas Child hath spread His feast. These His adorers were before The kings and shepherds thronged the door, And where no angels knelt there kneeled, The innocent creatures of the field. Cranberry Salad. Soften a half box of gelatine in one- half cup of cold water, add two. and one-half cups of boiling cranberry juice, one tablespoonful lemon juice, a dash of salt, and sweeten with sugar to taste. Stir until cold and beginning to thicken,add one cup of finely cut Holly for Health. When you hang up holly and miss tletoe this year just remember that, although now regarded solely as a Christmas decoratton, these plants have other uses, which our fore- fathers were not slow to exploit. In olden times hotly leaves were used to make medicine for gout. After being soaked in water for two days, the leaves were boiled, and the liquid thus obtained was healing value, The juice of mistletoe berries was also used hi the preparatioit.of a medi- said to be of great 47if A DRESS OF DISTINCTION. Dignity and smartness are -combined in this charming frock of moire. The front of the bodies is joined to the skirt and the back is in one piece. The deep V opening, shawl collar, and plaited apron tunic, are becoming fea- tures and give the much coveted slenderizing lines. The vestee and Iower section• of the sleeves- add a smart note of color contrast. _No. 1461 is in sizes 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44 inches bust. Size 38 requires 31,.4.131,.4.1yards 30- inch noire, and % yards 36 -inch con- trasting for sleeves and vest€e. 20e.' Every woman's desire is to achieve that smart different appearance which draws favorable comment from the observing public. The designs b us- trated in our new Fashion Book are originated in the heart of the style centres end wilt help you toe acquire that much desiredairof individuality. Price of the book 10 cents the copy. HOW TO ORDER PATTERNS. Write your name and address plain-; ly, giving nunrter and size of su:h patterns as yon want. Enclose 20c in r stamps or coin (coin preferred; wrap it carefully) for each number and address your order to Pattern Dept., Wilson Publishing Co., 73 West Ade- laide St., Toronto. Patterns sent , n. returauaiL Origin of Christmas Card, The current use of the decorated Christmas card for the purpose o!! offering holiday greetings found its earliest manifestation, according to., most authorities, in the year 1846, when Sir Henry Cole, an Englishman„ commissioned J. C. Horsley, an artist. cf the Royal Academy, to design an appropriate Christmas greeting which; he might send to his friends. This early Christmas card was 1•ithagraph-; ed and copied by hand and only 1,000; celery and one cup of finely cut meats. copies were made. The decoration Turn into small wet moulds and set consisted of a trellis of rustic work divided into a centre and two side: panels. The two outer panes held, figures representing two acts of char-; ity, "feeding the hungry," and "cloth-, ing the naked," while in the centre a aside to harden. Serve in nests of lettuce leaves with a garnish of may- onnaise. Living Christmas Trees. merry family of three generations, Why not plant a tree instead of grandparents to grandchildren, was cutting one for Christmas? A Jiving' depicted drinking draughts of wine. tree is infinitely more precious than a The Christmas card, however, did dead one. not reach any high degree of decor- ative excel:ence until 1S67n when an English'firm secured some well-known artists to execute designs for cards and large numbers of skilfully decor- ated greeting cards were circulated at the Christmas season. Among the artists who did this work was Kate Bane ley) : "W 11 I h S t Cl 1 i Greenaway, whos�o figures of lilt.e cine for the cure of the various ail- "Heap on more wood 1 The wind is meets which followed over -eating at . chill; Christmas time. But let it whistle as it,,,,will, We'll keep our C hristinas merry stilll" —Sir Walter Scott. Early Christmas Service. In Finland it is a custom' to attend church services at 5 o'clock on Christ- mas morning: • Betty (looking up narrow chim- e ,hope an •a sus has on a diet!" maidens made her well remembered. THE•. CANADIAN' HOMEMAKER Jeriss ��ry s t icf s etecrily, ' PI.:-A,4NNINCI . +ill LD I Nt`1 F-1 NANCING DECORATING . FI.IFNi. hi1NG . CAF ENING ,tibPr Coj ir-fit'':aEG. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT AVOIDS `ASTI) SPACE Inhprovsuient th. ventilation ideas kitchen cabinets, book -oases, cosy-cor- menet;, you have a lirelianinary set ot plans rriedre. Xott can then study eed'1t room, put Che blahs aside for while, and thea; pick thein up aga;iu, thus, over a period ot time, familiarizing yourself with what the various rooms will be like, almost as though you wore actually living in thein. 'By so doing you wall doubtless be struck from time to time with Im.provoinents' that might be made), and after think- Or. 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Lees, tiresome to the housekeeper, they are also less expensive than the iti,dividtial portable itesne which they replar•,e, Greater satisfactfoay, w'!11 be assured Lures such a3 buffets, no, masa s, if, before building operations are coni dally will be built. % established for his use.