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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1923-12-20, Page 7erent" Christmas 'Y LYDIA LION ROBERTS. '"Well, my •dear family;' said. Ros- smoothing her "white apron, ""as long Abe cheerfully, "Christmas ie --e," she !paused, "Coining!" groaned a 'chorus `of ;voices around her. "Therefore," continued Rosalie With a reproving glance 'ether family, "this Christmas which is 'coxiiing must be <difi'erent!" 4t was a Sunday evening 'an Deeein- 1bor. The Benton family had been to 'church and was now gathered in the !big living -ronin, talking and listening `to Rosalie as she played dreatn:y, 'rest- iul 'chords on the piarie. The married rester, Alice, and her husband, Jack, ''had'con e over from their hone on the eseezt street, and Nan, :the'callege gill, 'was `pending the weekend 'at home. The fourteen -year -old -sea, CClarke, had :Duet filled his hands. 'and pockets with :refreshments, and sprawled on the ;bearskin rug, was' !finishing an "ad- -ventureyarn. Father Benton Ieaned his 'shaggy (gray head back'in hie gold Morris chair, this blue eyes twinkling as the listened Iib his lively fat ale. `"Say en," 'he 'urged, surveying his youngest dough- iter with quiet pride as he watched her "earnest brown eyes, rand 'vivid, 'eager Mace. Rosalie nodded gayly to'ldies sure of lie understanding, and continued; '"Just think; we groan because'Chris't. 31raas is coming; and shout relief when lit is gone. Isn't that rather 'awful 'when : you think rof the meaning -of (Christmas?" ' "Any remedy?" 'asked Jack, .Who was the kind of a'breither=in-law that 'fitted snugly into the lewdly tittle. "Yes," promptly` `replied Rosalie. "Christmas should be a 'satisfyin`g of those little dear desires 'anis fancies we all have tucked away inbur hearth (and are so ;ashamed to 'show. If vee "did that, it would make tots of fun and :not be a burden either" ' "I believe I know -wha't Rosalie means," suddenly_ laughed Alice. "I ;like things in 'half -dozens. I would tget a half-dozen at a time of almost everything I buy if I could afford 'it. :It is silly, I realize, but it is 'true. 'I 'had rather have 'six medium rteitality +handkerchiefs-mhan;one very nice one. That isn't a bit 'correct, but I have falways felt. that way'" '"There," triumphantly cried her reinter, !"that is , jus't::what I melee:" "I'll give :you Aix 'toothi 1dk ;" coffee. - re .Jack. "Here we are," laughed Ros"ahe,'het (cheeks flushed With 'the fun and 'ban ' ter and her dark lair rumpled shove'. ler shining eyes, "an average "Can- •agdian family, the bulwark of the nes tion, so the statesmen say--" "Speech! Speech!" cried Father Benton waving a 'sandwich at her. "And yet we: are . ashamed to 'show "our .desires and "dreams that 'go to ;make up our most 1predious possession, our own individuality. Why shouldn't /Alice have Aix 'hankies if she wants ;them? Let's all confels and: then have +some fun for 'Christmas, instead' of ' wondering and_ worrying what on (earth to give, thereby wrinkling Our (dispositions:" "Very good;" spproved'Motiher Ben- ton .who en+ton.who was rocking (conten'•teilly in :front of the fireplace. 'All right, 1 'dare :you;";briskly said Lack. • "I dont like Inecktiee :for a (Christmas present,bu'tI'would -like the money to go on a rea'1 necktie `spree :all by myself. Also7' and lhe'sighed )plaintively, "I 'adore lecoia'tes=but ,'cwho ever heard of such a 'silly man?" His pathetic 'expression made 'them. '•,''),augh and then Nan said thought - .fully: "If we had plenty of money we might buy such things for ourselves, abut every one of us is saving for seine- ;thing bigger and better and so w 1 have to count our pennies. I think i its a nice idea, Rose." 'Christmas certainly should be a ;time to help ;people realize their little dreams," smiled AIice. '"Very well;" replied 'Rosalie, "'we will have a 'Benton :Box Benefit for Christmas." "Sounds good, wha'G''iis :it?" :smiled iter father. 'Let's take each (one's special likes and longing's and make sup a_ whole !box of them, as fancy or jokey Or glaretty : as possible. We will decide +among ourselves on some one subject for -each one when that one is absent, :,and then we will all know what to ;buy." '"I need a "regular tool -box," an- iounced Clarke raising his tousled head from the rug, "That kid one of mine is no good. Club together and get Bene some tools and a box and some ;wood, that's what I have to say!." "IJse your head, sonny," suggested ,jack softly, and ducked the paper (Clarke flung at him. "Rosalie is the musical one, and Van is the college one, and Alice is the +half-dozen, one," murmured smother, '"and Clarke -e" "Stop, mother, you'll .be giving all sorts of secrets away," warned Rosalie epiickly,: "What :about yourself though?" ""Well," hesitated llifother Benton x I as we are talking about foolishthings,' and it isn't expensive=I really ;lona; need it, but—well, there if you mifet know, T am very fond of Jelaribae� things, only I never could indulge fifer whims. Your ideas are attract" but you must remember that anything expensive is forbidden." "That's fine," teased lather, as he rose to say good -night, "I'll have two dozen books, an automobile, and 'some big leather chalk's, please. Nothing eyc- pensive, you undei°etand, just a "trifle." "Yes, we'll Order them all right away and put them in your box," as- sured Rosalie in the same 'gay spirit. "You deserve every' one of them. What do you really want, daddy? You're dreadfully hard to give presents to; you never seem to need anything." . "Yes I do," protested father, , "1 really ,do, girls. I need some shoe- strings badly. 'Give me a box of shoe- strings and save me biting eny tongue every time mine break," and he went 1 upstairs k airs 'chuckling at their disgusted OO 3. . In magazine pages, but would not •ln-• dulge'herself, In the biggest box ;she found an envelope from Jack which held money and said, "For my self denying wine to buy six pairs of gloves at one tine." As she looked up, Jack smiled at her and whispered, "Let's go on our sprees together,? "Mine is a music -box," laughed Rosalie happily and held up a:' silk opera -bag, new pieces of music, and. tickets for several concerts in the com- ing year. "What treats T have in store for my music -loving ears. My lessons etre costing so. much I didn't suppose T could go to such wonderful concerts." "I'm next, pass up forward please," Galled father, who had insisted on be- ing the last. "We got you+ ,just a little Pike, daddy," Rosalie said, coming oveh to him with her hands behind her, "You never seem to *ant us to spend any money on you." "I should say not," agreed father,;. taking the tiny box from her hand, "I' like a good joke ab "out as well as any- thing, and you girls need pretty things and must not'spend'any 'of your money on an old fellow like me. ,Well, well, that's pretty good," and chuckling and twinkling he pulled out of the small box an auto, several dozen books and two leather chairs—all little ,picture's cut : from magazines. "I got everything 1 'asked for,' he grinned broadly. "Did you look under the tissue ' "Such a dad," smiled Rosalie, as the paper?" asked. Rosalie, "maybe the young folks settled for a last few min- shoe -strings are 'under there:" utes' that.. 'He never gets 'a thing '"Is there at:ether joke bn me?" and for himself, and he doesn't -want us to father wonderingly took but a thin flat spend anything en:him. He never 'gets parcel from the'bottom of the box. The much for 'Christmas 'hut a few hand- family crowded 'around 'ate he opened kerchiefs and some 'neckties. He ;will the paper. """/What's 'tiller—wed he not tell ixs any 'of his (dreams, send Says stared in amazement at a chequo for leis family .is the best thing he (could :a -generaus amount and a Blip Which have:" read, "For the ;Big, Bouncing Better' "Yes," added Nan, -waving her hand Chair Father has dreamed of having, and mocking her father's jolly 'tone, with enough ;left Over for Bully "spend your money for :your pretty Books." trinkets, girls, don't waste it on -an old Far once Fatheie Beaten was speech- codger like me.' " less, He coughed, then he choked, then "He's the best: dad there 'ever Was;" he blew a resounding blast into his said Alice. "He always tells Jack and handkerchief. Finally he cleared his me: 'Now you young nest builders throat and 'turned lb mother. "You save :your money to make the best 'told;'' he 'said reproachfully. cozy, and put away :my gift hiiiiney '"I did," mother placidly answered: for the nestlings." '" "They kept coming to me and asking "It's about 'time we got even with what you wanted, 'and I 'told Them him," frowned Rosalie 'as she the -fight- your Morris chair was all worn but fully gazed into the `firelight. and lumpy, and you had wanted a'big At last, after 'days of whispered leather chair ever since they were lit - consultations, of hiding mysterious packages, oaf 'smothered giggiee 'and happy "Plans, it was 'Christmas morn- ing. 'The Benton .family had filled a box .for :an -unfortunate family, had made toys for ;spine 'siek children, taken 'part in the 'church 'concert and had a 'Christmas tree :for rsome .little tots 'who 7ived'near'them. 'Therefore, they egeke with that 'glad, 'thrilly feel Ing so iindispeneable'to thristmee Day. "Box Benefit 'after Ibreakfa'st," Roe - elle called as she hurried to the..kit- chen to help her mother. A little later • She (drew~`'ba`c'k the curtains and let the family .tile into the living -room where the sunlight danced on the red and gold 'decorations and :the 'tree sparkled and twinkled: like ca. loving and ,joyous `spirit all over. /Across one `corner was a big placard which read, 'The Bright Bens ton's Boxed 'Christmas," and under• neeth was a pile of boxes big and anis!!. "Mother first;" decided 'Rosalie, sp Jack brought alarge box to her wrap- ped In matting with labels of japan over it. :Mother actually 'blushed with delight as she found the ;kimono from father, the picture of the sacred moun- tain, the tray with iris. -decoration, Japanese silk for a waist, and a book of quaint stories about .Japan. "You bad children;" she 'said softly with tears shining brightly in her happy eyes, "you shouldn't have (done it, but it is very sweet." Already Nan was exclaiming over. her shirt -waist box which Jack and Clarke had made for her college room and had lined with the .delft blue she liked best. A 'Dutch `flower scene, odd Delft dishes for fudge parties and a Is money ever 'scarce with you? table cover, with quaint Dutch maid- If not, then Santa please send two. ons strolling around the edge, `showed I'm almost :sure that Aunt Van Aby Will not let me hold her baby. Come closer to the telephone— Bring -one -f or-me-my-very-ownl NOW Santa Claus what makes you laugh? How old ani I? Six and a half: I'ni plenty big enough all right To hold a little baby tight. tle tots. Rosalie 'said that when a man hadwanted something :for twent, years it was 'tune he got it." "Especially 'a man like'our 'dad,' murmured _Rosalie. "What's the matter with 'dad?'' Shouted Clarke who 'was :grinning ;on the edge. of fhb re -Jr -Cie. 'He's all -right!" 'sheuted the family in 'unison :and they gently and -'firmly led Father Benton to 'a 'Chalk. • and cho'ked his protest's. with loving hands and bear hugs until he promised to go. down town the next day on 'a shopping trip of his; own. "• ---- A Christmas 'Mone Messa�g' e. Hello! Hello! 'What's 'the `natter? Thus old phone makes such. a clatter! Hurry. Central, please be . quick, 1K want to speak to good . Saint Nick, 1s ;this old Santa at the ;hone? Now listen—'are you all alone? I 'want to whisper in your ear So low that no one else can hear.Did you ever get my letter? (Phoning tho' is -so much better). Dear Santa there's the sweetest gift 'I want sent down the twenty-fifth. Among your presents have you got A. teeny, weeny little tot With golden hair and eyes of blue, Who laughs sand crows and says ""coo -coo"? :I'm.:so lonesome, dear old Santy, Using with *my old maid aunty Who only has a. cat to purr, I want a baby girl for her. You better send the smallest size So 1 can hold 'her if she cries What colors have you now in eyes? They ought to' match the bluest :skies. V that some of her fancies had been dis- covered and gratified. A deep groan made them all turn hastily and look at Jack. He was curled up oil the floor against a chair, hugging his brown collar -box in one arm and waving an envelope with his other hand. "I ain overcome," he moaned in mock faintiness. "Think of You'll not forget to send me two— a measly little envelope hiding such The smallest kind, all pink and new? thrills. A bill that is big enough for Then I will love you till I die, a ;nighty necktie hunt and are order Dear Santa Claus—by-by, by -by. oe a store for a scarf -pin:" —Jeannette Cadwallader. "What have you got behind you?" suddenly asked Clarke. It is the spirit of Christmas "Go away, little one," loftily replied which is the spirit of love— jack, shoving something out of sight, that has given us all ourr bene- volent andprogressive institu- tions; our schools, our libraries,; our hospitals, our free homes, our charitable plans and en- dowments of every kind. but the family gave him no peace until he sheepishly produced several boxes of fudge and chocolates. "Let's have Cliristmaseevery month," he beaming- ly suggested. ""0 boy!" shouted Clarke a moment later. "Some tool -box this fancily has donated nae, and plenty of good wood ready to work on. Rimy up with the other presents, .I want to go down cellar." Alice leaned against the piano and began to laugh so heartily that the others turned oto look at her as she opened the long package that Father Benton handed her. Out carne a set of six hollow building-blocks such as children use, and each held a package. There were six postagestamps, six iron -'holders, six handkerchiefs, six bars of ,chocolate, and six bright half - (Tonere. The paper ,around the money readt "'To be ;spent in answering ad- Ver":tisements," for Rosalie had dis- ,xOvorod that .Aliso loved to get some I Of the things so ,attractively displayed May the joys of your child- hood Christmas Days live again for you at this Season, and the Spirit of Christmas retain ever young in your heart, see ,74 as: 4 eve - a �irf{`.quv i4;!, 4 - 7 tit `;Hutto 142; HOW BLESSED ARE THE VEAR8 'P P'EAC [ THAT FOLLOW WAR'S LONA entA#Ny HOW SURELY [TOES THEIR PA881Nb HEAL THE HEART STRINGS TORN WITH FAIN' UNTIL THE BURDEN OF OUR GRIEF FOR THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND DIsb` i8 LIGHTENED BY THE MEMORIES THAT COME WITH CHRISTMAS TIDE. $`" FOR THEIR DEAR SAKES WE LOVED ANb. 'LOW IN SILENCE LET US STAND, FOR ONE BRIEF MOMENT WHILE 'Wi? PLEDGE TO THIS BELOVED LAND, A FAITH AS STEADFAST AND AS DEEP A8 THEIRS WHO DIED THAT WE, MIGHT KNOW THROUGH ALL. THE YEARS 7'O COME THE JOY OF LIBERTY. 4-- et` ti =- W.LLIAM :BANKS. —�- f A ti.t1.14 'Z. .04 Christmas Music Fills the Night. A; Christmas carol, to the tune Kevin," by Sir Arthur Sullivan. 'Christmas music fills the night, •`` Christmas stars are gleaming, Souls in darkness hail -the light From a manger streaming. Though the inn is full, the beast Greets the world's sweet leaven; Bethlehem,, thou art not least, Thine the Bread from Heaven. "St. • Dark and silent was the land Where the shepherds guarded, Till there shone the Angel -band, And their hearts rewarded. - Chant so lovely sang they then, -. We too hear with gladness— "Peace on earth, good will toward men," Jesus -ends your sadness. If the shepherds leave the sheep,. Who will watch and tend them? Faithful guardians must not sleep, "! Isaie-wolf will rend them! Yet the `angel bids them go, Seek'the sign so lowly, Ile.will'keep their flocks, they know, Shepherdbright and holy. When they found the Child of God, All that•heard it wondered; But these things, made known abroad, Mary Rept and pondered. . Babe of Christmas, grant ne part In their adoration, And the grace that filled her heart— Raptured contemplation. Why shouldst Thou have blessed us so, Sought the love of mortals, Cpniing down to earth below, Far from Heaven's portals? Dost Thou know ,0 Saviour dear, 'How this world will scorn Thee? Men will hate Thee, though they fear, Thy poor . Mother mourn Theel Can it 'be Thou still wilt stay, Shrinking not from danger? Can we too see Thee this day, In the holy Manger? 0 for all Thy tender love, Happy is our singing, Hymns to poin the Hosts above, Bells of Christmas ringing. —Eliot White. The Hors• e Factory. Betty, taken to the country for Christmas, had been having a run round the village. She saw many things that were strange to her, but a passing glimpse of the blacksmith'sshop filled her with wonder. When she got back to the cottage she burst into the parlor in a state of great excitement. "Daddy," she said, "I've just seen a man who awakes horses!" "Nonsense," said daddy; "you've made a mistake," *h` "No, I haven't," she persisted. "I saw him, He had one nearly finished. He was just nailing on its back feet." Pictures of robins, holly, and so on carn1862.e into use on Christmas cards in People born according to lucky all their on Christmas Day are, an old superstition, lives. An Ideal Christmas By Katherine Beebe Just a year ago I was invited into a neighbor's house "to see the children's Christmas" and went under the mis- taken impression that it would be a pleasurable experience. It wasn't. To see what should have been the crown- ing occasion of the year to this chil- dren turned into a confused complex- ity of excitement was a positive grief. The room was small, the too large tree was. decorated in a most hap- hazard and inartis'ic way; yards of cloth on which Santa Claus pictures had been printed for the Christmas trade were stretched along the 'waits; various paper bells, wreaths and fes- toons were .hung on available pieces of furniture, and a profusion of gifts littered the floor, chairs and tables. I took stock of these as I gazed, sup- posedly spell -bound with interest and delight. I saw at once that quantity,. not equality, had been the dominant idea and that a group of grown people had been enjoying themselves with little eonsideration of the ` children's real needs or desires. There were 'breakable dolls in im- practicable pinks and blues; there were numberless toys having neither play value nor educational content. Handkerchiefs, hair ribbons, dish tow- els, socks and neckties had all been given a part in the scheme of decora- tions. It was chaos come again and the children seemed fairly bewildered with excitement. In contrast to this reckless festival it is a joy to recall the Christmas which stands out in my experience of many as the one most nearly op- proaching the ideal. On the twenty-fourth a email tree had been beautifully trimmed in white and silver by mother and children to- gether. Father was the one who was to receive the traditional shock of sur- prise in this case. The living room was made lovely and fragrant with boughs of Norway spruce and as five o'clock drew near all was in order and the tree lighted for a Christmas greet- ing to passer-by. Then the whole fam- ily went to a "Candlelight Service" ht a nearby church, stopping on the way home to see a wonderful creche set up with loving thought and care by a friend and neighbor. After dinner there were Christmas stories, Christ- xnas songs and Christmas music oze the victrola, and then came bedtime with its excitements and anticipation* and the hanging of the stockings. In the early morning Father slips ped quietly downstairs while the nett of us waited for the music which weal the signal that all was ready. Then,,, not with a rush, but with deliberate] intention not to lose a single thrill, w:a1 descended the staircase together. Qz� the landing it burst upon us, and 0h,1 the beauty of it all! There was puri tree, sparkling and beautiful in the, firelight which filled the room! There. were the stockings, bulging! There in the chosen places were the gifts! An what were these? For each child on special and 'long -desired treasure, an electric train, a sled, a tricycle, books, three games full of promise of future fun, and for the use of the children together a box of the biggest bloc that could be found. In each stoc was a lovely cornucopia full of good ies, candies, nuts and raisins, while] under these were several little toys! chosen as jokes or for the foolishness, without which there can be no real. Christmas in- this family. The chile dren's gifts to Father and Mother and theirs to each other were given at they breakfast table, a time-honored coati tom. The aftermath of this Christmas was a matter of great interest to the fortunate guest. By four o'clock the afternoon the neighborhood chip dren began to drop in until there were at least =a dozen of them, one of whom confided to me that "at . Christmas time the B— children always go presents you could do things with. Indeed for weeks afterwards the house of my friend was a rendezvous fort that compelling reason. Surely this( was an ideal Christmas. Inspiration. There is nothing too high to aspire to, 0 woman, a -thrill with your dreams, There is nothing too great to require you To further creation, it semis. The man may go faithless and fearful, With doubts what the future may hold; But woman is right to be cheerful, Adventurous, hopeful and bold. At Christmas turn over the pages To the story so tenderly true -- The dear little Son of the Ages Was born of a .woman like you. —Clare Shipman. A Christmas Tree for the .Birds, Why not give the birds a Christmas tree this year? You will enjoy it as much as they Here are a few sug- gestions that may be followed: First, select the tree, An evergreen in your own garden will be the best. Then you should know what birds aro spending Christmas in your neighbor- hood and what gifts will please thein. You know the chick -a -dee, the little gray bird who wears a white waistcoat and a black cap? He is the one who says "Chick -a -dee -dee -dee" all winter long. Chick -a -deo likes suet, and so it will be a fine thing to put a large piece on the tree for him. Doubtless other birds will share his gift. A good-sized bone that has not been salted will attract the nuthatches and woodpeckers. Perhaps the ,downy woodpecker will come for his Christ- mas dinner. How glad you will be to see this sociable little bird! Some of our winter bird neighbors are seed eaters: tree sparrows, snow buntings, and the like. You know, what strong little bills they have,, These bills were made to crack seeds, The sparrow and snow buntings will be pleased with a nice little basket of, seeds, so this will be the best present ' that you can put on the tree for them,, ;;merest in His Work. It was Christmas Day, and six-yeai"e old Bert received a Christmas bo front farmer Bull, This was for drive big it cow half a mile to pasture twice; a day. Ile wag justas happy as a boy) could be, for he could spend the n'toneyl just as he pleased. That night he Cama Home eraeking a whip, and his mother exclaimed: ""Bert, did you spend. your Christ«,: matt hex on that whip`?" "Yes, I bought it off one of the f hands," Beit replied proudly. can't expoct a• follow'to work !f he don't have the tools to well: w)4 "