The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-22, Page 5PAGE 4B—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 23, 1987
The Shoemaker
and the Elves
here was once a shoemaker,
who, through no fault of his own,
became so poor that at last he
had nothing left but just enough
leather to make one pair of shoes.
He cut out the shoes at night, so as to
set to work upon them next morning; and
as he had a good conscience, he laid
himself quietly down in his bed. commit-
ted himself to heaven, and fell asleep.
ma0 2$ • 1 : ° • za° ° ma ° aa Nom. ° . ° O,
hand of a master workman.
Soon after a purchaser entered, and as
the shoes fitted hun very well, he gave
more than the usual price for them, so
that the shoemaker had enough money to
buy legther for two more pairs of shoes.
He cut them out at night,, and intended
to set to work the next morning with
fresh spirit; but that as not to be, for
when he got up they syere already finish -
In the morning, after he had said his
prayers, and was going to get to work, he
found the pair of shoes made and finish-
ed, and standing on his table.
He was very much astonished, and
could not tell what to think, and he took
the shoes in his hand to examine them
more closely; and they were so well
made that every stitch was in its right
place, just as if they had come from the
Types of Christmas trees
Grant them, your blessing, Friend of Trees, we pray
On those who deck green boughs for Christmas Day.
(Violet Alleyn Storey)
BALSAM FIR
hen Christmas tree shopping time rolls around, many families set out
with only one tree in mind - the balsam fir (Abies balsamea). This
fragrant tree holds it's needles faithfully for a long time after harvesting
as if determined to see the holiday through to the very Twelfth Night.
It's short needles, one-half to one and one-quarter inches long, are flat, dark green,
and usually round. Two to three-inch purple cones, like colorful candles, stand
upright among the upper branches, and tiny twigs, growing at right angles to the
branches, form the sign of the cross on every bough.
DOUGLAS FIR
For all-around beauty and economic importance, the Douglas fir (Psedotsuga men-
ziesii) ranks high. The name honors the horticultural explorer, David Douglas, who
sent its seeds to England in 1827. It reaches stately heights of more than 260 feet and
is one of the most important timber trees of North America. The Douglas fir makes a
beautiful Christmas tree. The soft, pliable, narrow needles of yellowish to bluish
green are attached all around the twig instead of the flat arrangement of the balsam
fir, and the needles have a delightfully fresh lemony scent when rubbed.
BLACK SPRUCE
The swampy areas of northern Minnesota yield bountiful stands of black spruce
(Picea mariana), and this hardy tree grows far north in the Alaskan timberline. The
small cones, ranging from three-fourths to one and one-fourth inches long, are a dull,
gray -brown with rounded, stiff, slightly toothed scales. They can stay with the trees
for upwards of 20 years. The black spruce is primarily a source of pulpwood, but
when the Christmas season approaches they play an important part in the festivities.
They commonly spend the holidays with their four-sided, bluish -gray, short needles
dyed a deep green or boasting a coat of artificial snow.
RED PINE
Another pine, the red pine (Pinus resinosa), has been known and loved for many
years as the Norway pine. This magnificent tree, however, is totally American. The
needles, a deep glossy green grouped in pairs, are slender and flexible, sharply
pointed and about four to six inches in length. Tne cones are about two incnes tong,
without prickles. In the holiday home this handsome tree seems to look its best
spotlighted rather than lighted with bulbs.
SCOTCH PINE
The Scots or "Scotch" pine (Pinus sylvestris) has had a bad reputation in folklore.
Evil spirits were once believed to live in them, using its branches as broomsticks to
fly through the air. Actually, the Scots pine shares its good bounty with man. The at-
mosphere which we breathe with such appreciation when we walk in a pine forest is
caused by two of its beneficial products, resin and turpentine. Under ideal tree plan-
tation conditions, it responds to the pruning and shearing which soon produces a
shapely, bushy tree ready to wear the bells and baubles of Christmas. The interesting
blue-green needles, two to a cluster, measure from one and one-half to three inches
long.
We all Thank You for
your business in 1987!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The ParI House
CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WITH US!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1988
with our "Bonanza of Specials!"
LUNCH - Lasagna & Caesar 1°99
4 - 7 p°IiI° - FREE APPETIZERS
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160 West Street
Goderich, Ontario
(519) 524-4431
The Park House
often imitated
hardly ever
duplicated!
Ar AT, 2tir :AT
ed, and a customer even was not lacking,
who gave him so much money that he
was able to buy leather enough for our
new pairs.
Early next morning he found the four
pairs also finished, and so it always- hap-
pened; whatever he cut out in the even-
ing was worked up by the morning, so
that he was soon in the way of making a
good living, and in the end became very
well to do.
One, night, not long before Christmas,
when the shoemaker had finished cutting
out, and before he went to bed, he said to
his wife, "How would it be if we were to
sit up tonight and see who it is that does
us this service?"
His wife agreed, and set a light to burn.
They they both hid in a corner of the
room, behind some coats that were hang-
ing up, and then they began to watch.
As soon as it was midnight they saw
come in two neatly -formed naked little
men, who seated themselves before the
shoemaker's table and took up the work
that was already prepared, and began to
stitch, to pierce, and to hammer so
cleverly and quickly with their little
fingers, that the shoemaker's eyes could
scarcely follow them, so full of wonder
was he.
And they never left off until everything
was finished and was standing ready on
the table, and then they jumped up and
ran off.
The next morning the shoemaker's wife
said to her husband, "Those little men
have made us rich, and we ought to show
ourselves grateful. With all their running
about, and having nothing to cover them,
they must be very cold. I'll tell you what;
I will make little shirts, coats, waistcoats
and breeches for them, and knit each of
them a pair of stockings, and you shall
make each of them a pair of shoes."
The husband consented willingly, and
at night, when everything was finished,
they laid the gifts together on the table,
instead of the cut-out work, and placed
themselves so that they could observe
how the little men would behave.
When midnight came, they rushed in,.
ready to set to work, but when they found
instead of the pieces of prepared leather,
the neat little garments put ready for
them, they stood a moment in surprise,
and then they testified the greatest
delight.
With the greatest swiftness they took
the pretty garments and slipped them on,
singing, "What snruce and dandy boys
are we! No longer cobblers we will be."
They then hopped and danced about,
jumping over the chairs and tables, and
at last they danced out at the door.
From that time they were never seen
again; but it always went well with the
shoemaker as long as he lived, and
whatever he took in hand prospered.,
1
,n. AVM
The brightest wishes
for a happy holiday
season are being
sent your way.
Our very special thanks
are also in order!
Merry Christmas!
From The Staff
at Suncoast Texaco
Vic Walden
524-4100
A
Holly Jolly
Christmas!
A cheerfilled
"thank you" to all
our wonderful
friends!
wirer
By -Gone -Antiques
34 Kingston St.
Goderich
524-2238
110 lasiggo Origirto
ay your hearts be filled
with the peace and joy of that holy night.
so long ago.... when once. for a shining hour
heaven touched earth and hope was born anew!
May his blessings surround you now and always.
sl4ceatfiirn & 1PaCta 9o'/orm&
Cambria Rd. at East St., Goderich