The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-22, Page 10o.
10150x.o.owtorw • • • •. low
The Christmas ; arol
(An edited version of the Chores Dickens classic)
0 ne wintry Christmas eve,
Scrooge sat in his counting
house, amused by his clerk,
who was copying letters while
attempting to keep warm with comforter
and candle. Not once did he offer his
employee a bit of coal for the warming
fire.
Suddenly, the voice of Scrooge's
nephew resounded, "Merry Christmas,
Uncle! God save you!"
"Bah, Humbug ! " replied the crotchety
old man. "What's Christmas time to you
but a time for paying bills without
money, one year older and not an hour
richer."
"Uncle," responded the nephew, enter-
ing the doorway. "There are many
things from which I might have derived
good, by which I have not profited.
Christmas is one of them. It is a good,
kind, forgiving, charitable time. God
bless it!"
"Humbug!" replied Scrooge. "And
good afternoon" as he observed his
nephew leave.
This Christmas eve found Scrooge at
dinner in a nearby tavern, returning ear-
ly to the quarters formerly occupied by
his late partner, Marley. Suddenly,
through the door descended Marley's
ghost, who spoke to him. "In life I was
your partner, Jacob Marley. It is re-
quired by every man that the spirit
within should walk abroad among his
fellow. men. If that spirit goes not forth
in life, it is condemned to do so after
death."
Scrooge stood transfixed and answered,
"Mercy! Dreadful apparation, why do
you trouble me?"
Marley's ghost replied, "I am here to
warn you that you have yet a chance of
escaping my fate. You will be haunted
by three spirits. When this happenns,
you will see me no more but look to
remember this destiny and what has
transpired between us."
It was after one o'clock when Scrooge
was awakened by the spirit of a child.
"Who are you and what is your
business?" he demanded to know.
"I am the ghost of Christmas Past –
here for your reclamation. Take heed,"
said the Ghost. "Rise up and walk with
me.
Through time they travelled to events
immemorial. Schoolboy, brother, ap-
prentice, young man – Scrooge relived
his past life, devoid of charity and holi-
day spirit. The vision eclipsed by current
facts, the painful reality of Scrooge's .
cruel behavior confronted him and he
cried, "Haunt me no longer," until sleep
overtook him.
Awakening the next morning in the
middle of a snore, Scrooge regained con-
sciousness for the express purpose of con-
ferring with a second messenger, despat-
ched to him_through Marley's
intervention.
"Spirit," said Scrooge submissively,
"Conduct me where you will. I went
forth last night on compulsion and learnt
a lesson which is working now. Tonight,
if you have aught to teach me, let me
profit by it."
The spirit answered, "I am the Ghost
of Christmas Present. Touch my robe."
Scrooge did as he was told and held it
fast. Invisible, they went into the town,
stopping -before the tattered cottage of ..
Scrooge's clerk. Bob Cratchit.
Mrs. C atchit, two daughters and son
er buried themselves with the
pre alpn of a meager holiday meal
and w ' soon joined by Bob and his crip-
pled yotegest, Tiny Tim.
Scrooge was moved by the poor
family's plight and questioned the Spirit,
"Tell me Tiny Tim will live."
The ghrst replied, "I see a vacant seat.
And a cutch without an owner. If these
shadows-emain unaltered by the Future,
the childwill die."
It was hen the clock struck twelve.
Scrooge boked about for the Ghost and
saw it no. Moments later, he felt a
mysteries dread and observed a tall,
stately fi;ure beside him. This Spirit
neither s►oke nor moved.
Scroog questioned, knowingly, "You
are abou to show me shadows of the
things thit have not yet happened. Is that
so, Spirit' You are the Ghost of
Christmas Yet To Come."
The Sprit inclined his head, pointed
forward Ind led his captive to the chur-
chyard graves, pointing to the one mark-
ed EBE7EZER SCROOGE.
Horrifed, the namesake addressed the
Phanton, "Spirit, men's courses
foreshaow certain ends to which, if
persevered, they must lead. But if the
course nust be departed from, the ends
will charge. Say it is thus with what you
show m!"
The Sprit remained unmoved and
pointed is hand from man to grave.
"Spiri," Scrooge cried, "I'm not the
man I vas. I will not be the man I must
have ben but for this intercourse. Why
show mf this if I am past all hope! Good
Spirit, yrur nature intercedes for me and
pities m. Assure me that I may change
the shaows you have shown me in an
altered ife !''
The kid hand trembled.
Scrooge continued, "I will honor
Christmas in all my heart and try to keep
it all yea. I will live in the past, the pre-
sent, ani the' future. The Spirit of all
three shll strive within me. I will not
shut outthe lessons they teach."
Scroog saw the phantom hood and
dress shink, collapse and dwindle into a
bedpost.
The bdpost was his own. The bed his
own. Th room his own. Best and hap-
piest of al, the time before him was his
own to stake amends in!
Scroog spent Christmas visiting his
nephew ad saw to it that various
charitiesirovided food for their
dependens.
When Eib Cratchit came to work the
day after:hristmas, his employer
greeted lin: "Merry Christmas, Bob!
A merrieiChristmas than I have given
you for mny a year! I'll raise your
salary, ad endeavour to assist your
strugglinpfamily and we will discuss
your affais this afternoon."
Scroogewas better than his word. He
did it all ad infinitely more; and to Tiny
Tim, who lid not die, he was a second
father. It became as good a friend, as
good a mater, and as good a man as the
city knew, He had no further intercourse
with Spirit, but ever afterwards, it was
always sail he knew how to keep
Christmaswell, if any man alive possess-
ed the knowledge. May that truly be said
of us and ill of us!
And so, s Tiny Tim observed, God
bless us eeryone!
,wr+. +.: 34OIC21f A :A :A A 2
Country Choir Practice
BY ARTHUR THATCHER
t is on the eve of Christmas,
in the now -forgotten days;
Country church lamps have been
lighted,
And its yard is full of sleighs.
Horses tied there to the hitchracks
Now are wearing strands of bells,
Tinkling with their restless movements
To enhance the sound that swells
From the organ in the chapel,
And the carols of the choir.
They practice for tomorrow,
Seated rear the blazing fire
Which isroaring now and snapping
In the tit;, old Bridge Beach stove,
Stoked with wood chunks brought in
autumn
From th nearby woodland grove.
And thepicture in the darkness «
That th lighted church now makes
Is the knd that leaves impressions
Which r1 memory forsakes.
It will erne in recollection,
ThrouglIthe years in many wyas,
How th country church stood lighted
And its l.ard was full of sleighs.
tabsiMiza
From the Management & Staff of Bkuewater Body:
May treasures
great aid small be
yours this holiday.
Thankng you all.
BLUEWATER BODY & FENDER 5247161
:sr+•:>$:r::.�.:or>:.�?+,o.�i^.§to.•sc:'.7 R',.'�.+:':..... ... rsrf �'$�:•�.......... .. .. ..... :C•<::'...
c1.EeI'i po
Muy rhe Ulessr,gs
Of rhe season
r asp e you with
peace a d love
G •derich
SIGNAL -STAR F
TAS MMS 525 TSZ reZr
That magical
Christmas fooling,
And warm, lasting glow,
Come from thanking
the friends,
We're so happy to
know!
ALVIN`S TV SERVICE
162 Mary Ste Goderich 324-9089
Season's
Greetings
Your friendship and support
mean a lot to us.
Have a Merry Christmas
McLELLAN
DISPOSAL SERVICES LTD.
0
Mount Forest 1-800-265-2140
GODIRICII SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1987—PAGE 9B
•
Merry Christmas
As we experience the warmth and wonder
of this festive season, may all. that
is Christmas embrace you and yours.
From the Management
and staff at...
Lakeport
Steel
205 Nelson St., GoderichA24-2171
A world of peace and
goodwill to all our
friends and patrons
Merry, merry
Christmas;
Fred Lawrence
Electric Ltd.
Don and Kathy
Paul and Karen
PEACE ANd
coos W i«
TOWARd MEN
Along with our best wishes
of the season go thoughts of
thanks to our many friends
and patrons, from Ken and
Staff.
KEN KELLER
CONSTRUCTION
Goderich 524-6637
o
• •••
••
•
•
itse
• ..
Through
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Have a holiday to
remember. It's been a
joy to serve you.
Thomas
Cook Travel
58A Hamilton St. Godorich 344-8307
oor00000000r00000000r000e0000rre0000rr0000000000aoana
0
0
c
a
c
c
0
0
0
0
e
�'
ELITE DOMESTIC SERVICES Go52dorisch i 70
1;064 Z
/!.
Bringing a pack full of warm
wishes for a jolly Christmas to
all the fine folk we count as
friends. It's a pleasure to
know you ...thanks.
Lorraine. Robert
Bill, Ed & Bev,
Rolf & Ed
BAECHLER
I1jft.hi: ns pro roggei 4ot#$
� '^aesdArm
3
1
1
1a
a
0000caoc,0000caocaooclau
150 SHOPPERS SOUAar GOOIRICH 324-0600
CCCCCCCCCCCCULLA LAXOCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCUCCCCCUCCCCLJULL
q
3
a
a
O
1
1