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The Huron Expositor, 1941-12-26, Page 2t.. • ron Ex, s ositor Established 0 . McPhail McLean, Editor. Published at Seaforth, Ontario, ev- huirsday afternoon by McLean Advertising rates on application. Subscription rates, $1.50 a year in advance; foreign, $2.00 a year. Single copies,' 4 cents each. SEAFORTH, Friday, December 26 .Happy New Year ' To all our readers, our friends, and ---even our enemies, we extend a Hap- py New Year! The past year has been one of clan- ger and anxiety to countless people over the earth, and Canadians have tasted of that clanger and anxiety but Withal, we have been a favored peo- ple, blessed beyond measure in com- parison wit:h many other peoples of many other nations. No knows what this New Year will bring, but we can hope for brighter things—for safety; for life, for peace—and even if we do not get them all, we can still hope that they will all' be,on the way before another New Year.' - That is our wish for you. • • Another Fatal Week -End Thirteen lives were lost in Ontario over the last week -end, and most of them were caused by motor acci dents. What will 'be- the score over the Christmas and New Year wee., ends? Will it be better or worse? We do not know, but we do know that the matter rests almost entirely in the hands of the travelling public and how they conduct themselves. If there is too much foolish cele- bration which results 'in foolish speed; in thoughtlessness and care- lessness; in taking chances and cut- ting corners, something is sure, to happen, and that something may hap- pen to you, or still worse,. you may be responsible for it happening to some other innocent. person. And that is something no one likes to con- template: Winter driving, at its' best, is nev- er as safe as summer driving. We all know that, so let us not forget it for a moment. Trying to save a fe moments for yourself may spell i jury or eternity for someone else. Why take that chance? Most of the week -end ear accidents result tat way, and all, or nearly all of them are preventable. Traffic over our winter roads will be very heavy over the next two week -ends, so think a lot about that before you start out. You may 'be a good driver, but many of your fellow motorists whom you meet or pass, ,may not possess your,skill behind the Wheel. Watch . the traffic; be patient; be cautious, and, above allr be courteous. It is the -only safe way and the only thing that will prevent these pre- ventable motor accidents., And, pos- sibly too, it may. be the only thing that will save you from a life time regret and remorse, And if you are not prepared to act in this manner stay off the road al- together and give more considerate people a chance. • Anything Will Do The Airman, a publication of the air force at Uplands Training Cen- tre, Ottawa, is responsible for the following quotation which it attri- butes to Abraham Lincoln: "Volun- tarism is the unprincipled dodge of cowardly politicians." This quotation has been reproduc- ed by a number. of Ontario and West- ern newspapers and most of them, in the name of Lincoln, immediately proceeded to denounce and condemn the Ottawa. Government for immedi- "ately failing to adopt conscription. Aside from the fact tha(there is no, standard work on the life of Abraham Lincoln vvhich contains any such quotation, no more erroneous planation could be placed. upon the rds than to try and relate them to tting situation in Canaia. air of fait, Lineoin start - g for the American Civil Iv tjtin in and ►4ii ut the war. Conscription is not the main issue in Canada today, or for that matter, an issue at all. But there are more than a few newspapers and more than a few people in Canada that are doing their utmost to make the real u war issue, of today, not the success,-) ful prosecution of that war, or the unity of 'Canada but the utter de- struction of. the Ottawa Government, and anything will do or serve to fur- ther that dream. t - The Associated Press gives a var- iety of reasons for the German Nyith- drawals on the Russian front, as hearth over the German radio. One German announcer says that Germany is fighting a "positional war." Another says the front is in "a state of paralysis," a third says weather conditions are hinderingthe 'Germans; a fourth explains that "it is sometimes necessary to withdraw soldiers if they have advanced too far.". But 'a Vichy radio station at Al- giers goes .'a little further and says : "As we do not know where the Ger- mans mean to ,spend the winter, it is difficult to choose between the ex- pression 'retreat' which the Russians apply to the • German forces, and `strategic retreat,' which the Ger- mans use. Like the Vichy radio, we don't know either where the Germans mean to spend the winter, 'but it is very apparent that they are not go- ing to spend it in Moscow anyway. • Not In Moscow Anyway • Not Intended For That—But The British Admiralty's Cglrist'mas card this year will be a memorial to a sunken battleship. When the cards were chosen weeks ago, they, were never intended for that --but the odds of war have made them a memorial. - The cards picture the battleship Prince of Wales, which was sunk two weeks ago in the China Sea, the day after Japan's entry into the war. The Prince of Wales is pictured on the card flying Prime Minister Churchill's "good voyage" signal as he pawed an Atlantic convoy while returning from his meeting at sea with- President Roosevelt. -r i Optimism Mussolini is nothing, if not an op- timist. Regardless of the fact that the last Italian post in Ethiopia has bei lost to the British and Allied forces, qtaly is now widely adverti - ing the opening of new jobs in Africa 'as soon as he and his pals, Hitler and 'Japan, have won the war. Regarding' the former Italian job- holders and residents of Ethiopia, it is understood that most' of them have taken up their residence in Aus- tralia—as war prisoners. .:IWlATFRER PAPERS SAY: Nice Idea I Peterborough Examiner) Fixing prices is quite the thing. Now if they would put bread at five cents a loaf, milk at five cents per quart and rent at 12 per month aid coal at $6.00 per ten„ they'd have us back where we started keeping house. If they -'d do that and allots us to keep the preset wages we'd get along splendidly. • Canada ToThe Front (From the New York Times) The safe arrival in Eneland of the larges• con- roy of Canadian troops to crow the Atlantic in this tt'ar is nave:al y the subject of rejoicing bosh in our neiztebor Dominion and Great Britain. It brings close to the ]. ' mark the reurnber qt Canadians now in military service overseas aril includes the final contingere of the fiat armored division that the Donlie on hae sent nut. The mere organization and etlnipmeet of such troops is an outstanding record in Canadian accomplishment, for that division was trained and equipped in home ter-itory which little more than a year ago had never produced a single military tank. • , The Vileness Of Vichy (From the Manchester Guardian) The Paris radio confesses. what has long been suspected. 'that the friends of "collaboration" are afraid of the prisoners of war. wbote sentiments they know to be a danger to the • ti ichy Govern- ment. The situation would be ludicrous if it were not so tragical. The Government has pleaded as an excuse for its complaisance that it hoped to get the Nazis to release the prisoners of war. in private it dreads their influence in France. The radio explains that the prisoners have not had opportunities for judging the benefits of "eol- laboration" andn,that they must be carefully hand- led. Another symptom is the arrest of the five Paris professors. Laval has his own remedy for French disagreement: it is to get rid of those Frenchmen trho differ from "him. Expulsion and imprisonment have been used before noir to pro - Mote unity within a flatlet, but is this ease the dissidents happen to represent n mayiorit +'. • UURON EXPOSITOR e DI CEMBER. 26, 1941 FYears Agone Interesting items Picked From The Huron Expositor of Fifty and Twenty-flve Years Ago. 1 From The Huron Expositor December 29, 1916 Miss Nora McCaughey has accept- ed an engagement as teacher in Man- ley school, with duties to commence after the Christmas holidays. A pleasant evening was spent at. the home of • Mr. James Finlayson, 'Puckersmith, on Tuesday, Dec. 26th, when a few friends and neighbors gathered to spend a farewell evening with Mr. and Mrs. Robert I cGonigle, who are leaving the neighborhood. They were presented with a hand- some leather rocker and an oak sec- retary. Music was furnished by Mr. Abe Forsyth. Miss Marian Brown, daughter of Rev. T. H. Brown, has been appoint- ed to the staff of the Toronto General Hospital as night superintendent of the emergency department. ' Mr. W. T. Grieve, Leadbury, recent- ly installed a superior litter carrier at Firm. Trewartha's, near Winthrop, and also one at John Drlscoil's. Among -those out of town who spent Ohristmas at their hbmes or with friends here we notice the following: Ada Gov'eniock, Shelbourne; Florence Thompson, Anna Bell. Florence Mc- Kay and Minnie Laidlaw, Toronto; Nettie Shillinglaw, Toronto; Rae Gov- enlock, Lindsay; Jessie Soott, Brea - more; Janet Govenlock, Coboconk; Rena McKenzie, Stratford; Mazie Horan, Toronto; Marian Watson, Zur- ich; Nettie Petlaick, Mary Gillespie and, Ethel Kerr, Ayr: Agnes McKay-. Stratford Normal; Phoemia Cowan. Dundas: Bessie Grieve. Wm. Morrow. London; Alex McKenzie, Orillia; Vera Dorrance, Clara Corbett. Stratford: Roy- Everett, North Bay; Jack Flinch - ley, London; Oscar VanEgmond, Ham- ilton: Gladys Thompson,' Merriton: Celia Horan, Merlin; Della Thomi,- son, Londoni , Joe Brown, Dunnville: Cora Geib, Mrs. Parker, London; Wnn. McKay, Toronto. A large number of young people from Cromarty attended the surprise party last Friday night given to Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Miller at their home near Staffa. The patriotic bazaar held id the town hall. Varna. on Tuesday evening was a decided success. The hall was decorated w=ith evergreens, bunting and Christmas bells. A handsome doll donated by Mrs. John Rubery. Clin- ton, was 'sold by ticket, Marjorie Hart having the lucky one. The trustees of No. 10. Tuck- ersmith. have engaged Miss Glenn. of Stanley-, as teacher for the coming year. Among the holiday visitors at Kip pen were: Miss Anita Graham; Misses Carrie and Bertha McKenzie. Toron- to; Miss Mary Johnson, Miss Emily Ivison and Mr. Albert McGregor, To- ronto; Miss .Helen McGregor, Welles- lee; Miss Margaret Reynolds, Beach- ville, and Mrs. McIver and daughter, of Clinton. s From The Huron Expositor December 26, 1890 Mr. Fenton Hartley, of Blueva!e, has been engaged as teacher in S. .3. 'No. 4. Grey. for 1891. A little daughter of Mr. Joseph Abell. while sleigh riding with other children. got her leg broken on Thurs- day last. We have to thank Mr. Robert Gov- enlock, of McKillop, for a basket' of delicious grapes. They are nearly as fresh as they were when pulled. The history class of Mr. McFall!, principal of Seafol`th public school. made him a very handsome' present before the school closed foetthe holi- days. _ Mr. James Whitney. who .has been in Chicago since leavig here recent- ly, received an appointment to a re- . ponsible and lucrative position in a jewellery store in Horner, Illinois. 'A large number of teams passed through tots -n laden with bricks from. Sproat's brick yard in Tuckersmith. They were for Mr. Wm. McMichael, of Hul,jtt. who is preparing to erect a handsome brick•residence next sum- mer. Mr. Wm. Bethune, purser on one of the C.P.R. steamers between Owen Sound and Port Arthur, is home for the winter. On Monday evening the Bible Class in S. 'S. No. 9, Stanley. assembled at the residence of Mr: Simon' Hunter, con. 9, and presented their teacher, Mr. D. Johnson with a complimentary address and. a well-filled purse. The presentation was made by Miss Mary McTavish. Following the presenta- tion all sat down to a sumptuous re - Past. The annual meeting of the share- holeds and patrons of the Constance Cheese & Butter Manufacturing Co., teas held in the Temperance Hall on Thursday last. The president, Mr. J. B. Henderson. occupied the chair. The follow ing directors were elected for the c'lrrent year: John McDowell, .1. B, Henderson, Geo. Stephenson, John McGregor and Thos. McMillan. Mr. John McGregor was appointed, presi- dent and Mr. Robt. Jamieson, Sea - forth, was reappointed secretary and treasurer. Building operations are Iikely to be brisk on the 8th .concession of Hib- bert next summer. Mr. John Felt is building a new barn; Mr. Andrew Pat- ric, a new ;driving house; Mr. George Siilery, Mr. Charles Aberhart and Mr. James Morrison intend'raising and ..ni- larging their barns, and Mr. Thomas Geary is going to build a new resi- dence. • Gus." said Bill, as he might up ith ham on the way back to camp, "are all the rest of the boys out of the woods fret?" • "Teti," said Gus. "All sift of them?" "Yes, all six of them," "And they're all ante." � ,��,,r "T p." anns� a Gins; "they're all safe." "Thera." said �yD�ill-Y, Jiia. chest • titvrell-' 'may e �a' o4 decr'" CHAPTER VI SYNOPSIS Harley Longstreet, broker, dies on a trolley from poison scratched into his hand by a needle -pierced cork in this pocket. He and his guests were on their way to celebrate his engage- ment 'to Cherry Browne, an actress. The others were his partuer DeWitt, DeWitt's superstitious wife Fern— with whom Longstreet had had an af- fair—Jeanne, DeWitt's daughter and her fiance Christopher Lord, Cherry's vaudeville friend Pollux. Ahearn.. friend of DeWitt, Imperiale, 'middle- aged Latin, and Michael Collins, brawny Irishman. Questioned, each member of the party seems unfriend- ly toward the dead man. Bruno and Thumm, investigators. think DeWitt - guilty --Longstreet had a sinister hold on him. Drury Lane, retired Shake- spearean actor. says he knows who the murderer is, but will identify him only as Mr. X. One night the investi- gators and Lane go to the Weehaw- ken Ferryhouse in answer to an an- onymous note. A man is murdered on an incoming boat. He is identified as Charles Wood. conductor of the mur- der car—writer of the anonymous let- ter. DeWitt denies jealki g to Wood, in Wood's pocket is a cigar bear- ing DeWitt's private mark. Guiness, motorman of the murder car, identi- fies Wood by an ugly scar on the leg. Hicks, a ferryman, says Wood always. smoked Cremos—and that he and Wood had seen DeWitt on he boat an hour before DeWitt admits being there. -Confronted. DeWitt offers no explanation., "Look here. Mr. 'Lane." said Thunfm, ' I thinitc it only fair -to tell you that Bruno 'and I both have our minds set on DeWitt." "Indeed? Let me earnestly advise you however. to take no specific, ac- tion against DeWitt at this time." Drury' Lane sat before a triple. mir- ror. A brilliant bluish -white lamp shone directly on. his face. Quacey knelt on a bench facing his master, leather apron smeared with rouge and spetklea with powder. On a table to his rte ht were scores of pigment jars, powders, putties, rouge pots, mixing pans, delic,.'e brushes, bundles of vari- colored human hair. Lying . on the table was the photograph of a man's head. Along one. wall was strung a thick wire. from which depended fifty wigs, of different sizes, shapes and colors. "It's done, Mr. Drum-," Quacey prod- ded" the actor's' shins. Lane opened his eyes. Five minutes later Mr. Drury Lane rose. another individual altogether. He stamped across the room and switch- ed on the main light. He was wear- ing a light overcoat and had jammed a gray fedora hat on his differently arranged gray hair. His lower lip thrust forward. Quacey howled. ' "Tell Dromio I'm ready. Get ready yourself." Even the tone of his voice had changed. That afternoon Inspector Thumm stepped off the ferry in Weehawken, looked about. nodded curtly to a New Jersey policeman on guard near the entrantseti-ay ,,to the desterd Mohawk and strode through the ferry waiting - room out into the.open.' He began to climb the steep hill which led from the wharves and piers. He finally found the crumbling house which was his destination—Number 207—squeezed between a dairy and an automobile accessories store, A yellowed sign' on one of the porch. - posts announced: Rooms for Gentle- men. ° He pressetj,,,a bell marked House- keeper. There was a shuffle of car- pet -slippers; the door stirred inward and a carbuncular nose protruded from the crack. "What d'ye want?"' demanded a peevish female's voice, Then a titter and the door swung op en, revealing a stoutish uriddle-aged woman, as ?amshackle as her estab- lishment. "Come in, Inspector Thumm' I'm so sorry—I didn't know . . . We've had the awfulest time! Reporters and men with big cameras all over the place all morning! We--" 'Anybody ° upstairs?'' demanded Thumm. 'He sure is. clutterin' up my car- pets with his cigarette ashes," the woman shrilled. "Were you wantin' to see that poor man's room again, sir." "Take me upstairs," Thumm growl- ed. , a. The woman waddled up a flight of thinly carpeted stairs. Thumm grunt- ed and followed. A bulldoggish sort of man confronted them on the top step. "Who's that. Mrs. Murphy?" he ask- ed. ; "Keen your shirt on. It's me." snap- ped Thpmm: The man grinned. "Didn't a you .soon at first. Glad y ouli'e .here. Inspector. Dull work." ,:'Anything stirring since last night?" "Xdt a thine." He led the way to a small rear room. An old-fashioned iron bedsteed. a chest of drawers, a marble -top table, a wire braced chair and a clothes -closet comprised the furnishings. . Without hesitation the Inspector walked over to the closet and open- ed the double doors. Inside .were three worn suits, two pairs of shoes and a felt hat. Thumrp swiftly e-eut through the poc- f the suits, searched the shoes and h , but Seem- ed to discover nothing of i ter heavy brows contracted, est. His "You're sure," tie muttered to the detective, who stood in the door -u -ay watching him, "that nobody touched anything in here since last night?" The detective shook his head. "It's just as you left it." On the carpet beside the closet was a cheap bra handbag, its handle, broken, dangli g by one end. The Inspector opened the bag; it was emp- ty. He stood in the center of the room, legs apart, and frowned about, then started pacing off the floor, slow'• ly, feeling along the skeleton carpet With one foot. A slight elevation! in the flooring at one point, near the border of the carpe, caused him to strip back the ori, only "to tl i d- t]¢ badly warped board. When he came to the bed he hesitated; but he drop- ped heavily to his knees and crawled underneath, feeling about like a, bli'ad man. The detective said: "Here, Chief—let me help you," and spray- ed tthe beams of a pocket flashlight beneath the bed. Thumm muttered with elation: "Here it ]s!" The de- tective ripped away the carpet cor- ner, and Thumm pounced on a thin Fellow -covered little book, It tabulat- ed numerous deposits of a savings ac- count several years old; there had never been a withdrawal; no deposit had been for more than ten dollars, and the majority were for five; the last entry showed a balance of nine hundred and forty-five dollars and six- ty-three cents. In the bank book was p neatly folded five -dollar bill. ob- viously a last deposit prevented by death. Thumm pocketed the bankbook and turned to the' detective. "When do you go off duty?" "Eight bells. Relief -comes on at that time." "Tell you what." The Inspector scowled. "To -morrow about half -past two call me at headqparters. Remind 'ane that I've.,. got something special for you to do here. Get me?" "Phone at 2:39 prompt. Right!" Inspector Thumm descended the stairs and out to the street. Back in New Vo.k. - Thumm went limousine rolled through West Engle- wood and pulled up before a small, well kept estate. Lane, in his inev, 'table cape and black hat, gripping his blackthorn stick, got out and beck- oned to Quacey. m He wore a derby, a black overcoat and brand-new sparkling shoes that seemed to pinch. Groaning, he fol- lowed Lane up the walk to the porta CO. An old man in livery escorted them to a large Hitting -room in exquisite Colonial tasfe. Lane sat down, Qua- cey hovering behind him. "And you are "" beamed the ac- tor. ° "Jorgens, sir. Mr. DeWitt oldest servant." ' '"The very man. I owe you an ex- planation. Mr. Brume, the District At- torney in charge of the Longstreet case, of which you know, has kindly. permitted me to act in the capacity of independent investigator, I—" "1 beg'our pardon, sir, but surely you don't have -to explain to me. If I may say so, Mr. Drury Lane is--" "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Jor- gens. Now a few questions, and I should like exact answers. Mr. De- Witt—" The .animation went out of Jor- gen's face. "If it's anything disloyal to Mr, DeWitt, sir . "Brave, Jorgens," Lane's sharp eyes studied the man intently- "And again to the' offices of the Third Avenue —bravo. I should have assured you Railway System and inquired for the that it is in Mr. DeWitt's best inter - Personnel Manager. ests that I am here. Did Longstreet "Checking up," Thumm said, "on visit here often?" Charley Wood." "No, sir. Very, rarely." •- "Yes. Terrible thing: Can't under- "And why was that, Jorgens?" stand it—Charley Wood was one of. "I don't exactly know, sir. But Miss my best men. Quiet, steady, reliable. DeWitt. didn't like him, and Mr, be - He worked every working day since Witt—well, he seemed oppressed by he took over the job. He never took his presence, if I make myself clear." "Oh, quite. And Mrs. DeWitt?" "Well, sir . . The butler hesi- tated. "You would rather not say?" "I would rather not, sir." "For the third tine—bravo. Would you say Mr. 1)eWitt is a companion- able man?" "Well , . , no. sir." His only real friend is Mr. Ahearn, who lives near by, But Mr, I)e«'itt is really a very time off, always preferred to work oilt bis vacation and earn double pay. We're always getting requests for pay advances. Not Charley Wood! Sav- ed his money—showed me his bank- book once." ' "How long had he worked for this company?" "Five years. Here, I'll check that up." He was back in a moment with Wood's record -sheet. "He came with us a little over five years ago, start- pleasant man, sir, when you know him ing on the, Third Avenue run; was well." transferred with Pat Guiness, his mo- "Then, this menage does not cus- torman, at his own request to the � tomarily have guests?" Crosstown three and /a half years ago." Thumm looked thoughtful. "What about his 'personal life? Friends, rel- atives, pals?" ' • "He was chummy with the mem but he never went out with 'em, as far as I know. Here—" He turned the record over. "See that? Next, of. kin —none.," Ten minutes later a lean, grinning chauffeur yanked the rear door of a long. black limousine open. Inspector Thumm glanced quickly up and down the street, then climbed in. -Crouch- ed in a corner, more gnome -like than ever, Quacey was dozing serenely. The car purred off into traffic. Quacey opened ,his eyes, popped a- wake. He saw a very thoughtful, In- spector Thumm sitting beside him. Quacey's face suddenly dripped with smiles, and he'stooped to open a com- partment built into the floor of the car. He sat up, a little red, holding a large metal box, the cover of which inside was a mirror. Inspector Thumm shook his broad shoulders. "A good day's work, Qua- cey: all things considered." Dipping his hand into the box, he began to attack his face with a creamy liquid. Quacey held the mirror before him, offered a soft cloth. Soon there was the smiling physiognomy of Mr. Drury Lane. The next morning the long, black' • "Not very often. sir. Of course, Mr. Imperiale is staying here now, but he's a special sort of friend. Oth- erwise, Mt'. DeWitt rarely entertains." "I gather, then,'that the few that do stay there occt. tionaliy are clients --business guests?" "Yes, sir. For instance, there was a. business gentleman from South ,Am- erica staying here about a month ago." "What part of South America was he from?" "i don't -know, sir, but his name was .Felipe Maquinchao," "Did Mr. Longstreet visit while he was in the house?" "Yes, sir. Often. The night after Mr. Maquinchao came, Mr. DeWitt, Mr. Longstreet and he were closeted in the librareeuntil well after mid -,t nigpt." • "Can you describe Senor Maquin- cha, Jorgens?" .. The butler cleared his old throat. "He was Spanish -looking, Tall and very dark, with a little black mili- tary- mustache. He did 'not , stay at the house much during the month he was here. He took very few meals with the family, and did not fraternize sd' to speak. Sonie nights he did not return until finer or five in the morn- ing; others he did not'come in at'all." (Continued Next Week) • "here • (By Harry J. Boyle) ° • "THE DAY BEFORE" There's something about the day before Christmas that's mighty hard to 'beat. It's one of those days when you can forget about your work and rot feel •guilty for doing so. The house seems to be filled with the scent. of many good things to eat. Ginger and cinnamon . . . and frag- rant spices of all kinds mingle with the hoznel'er smells of fresh baked uns. The kitchen table is h cookies and there are rooting on the window - ' creamy, caramel candy bread and stacked fresh pies sills. Thai cooking in , • ucepans . . . and every so diten Mrs, Phil peeks tato the bake oven. The savory odor's that come wafting out each trine the door op- ens . . . seem to nip away dowrl in- side you and igi,ve you a mouth-wa- tering hungriness. You wish that the hours would ape$cl along. The day before Christmas is a day for rushing through the, chores, Mrs. Phil is busy ... biting het' lip every time she thinks of so many relatives flocking, along to sit down at the table next day ... so that today's dinner conkists of hand-me-downs. There's the plate of cookies that were. done 4ust a trifle too much .. the experi- mental slices taken from the ham to see if it was cooking all right and plates of fancy goods that die not suit a critical eye perfectly, Patricia Ann is in her glory and her mother's road. She senses that there is something in the air. She keel s continually talking about the doll and the table and chairs and the yard -long list of other things Santa Claus has been informed he must bring. Then there's the Christmas tree. It. is resplendent in dazzling glory In the most conspicuous place in the front room. 'Tinsel and glittering icicles of polished metal and ribbons and bells and wreaths all go with the handles that are waiting forejheir kindling, There is something about a Christ- matree. I like s ot if fornothing and watch it.other than to think of the happy childhood dart, When Christmas was definitely the tleiik of the mea;tell, Usually I am caught in the act of peeking at the parcels underneath tile tree. How intriguing a pile of par- cels under a ..tree on the day before Christmas can be! They come -in all shapes and descriptions ... and some are lumpy and hard . . . and. others are smooth and round; . Can this one be tobacco . ' . oi- possibly this one is a pipe? Heaven knows, I ,made enough hints about getting. a good Pipe for Christmas! •This morning I Was under the tree and quite engrossed in trying to feel what the parcels contained, when -Pa- tricia -Ann crawled in beside me. She was grabbing just like myself And then her heats jerked up rather quick- ly and 'one •uf the glass ornaments trent; sprn\"l1ng on the floor. here was a tinkling smash of glass and Mrs. Phil came t -'o the door. There we sero • tate two culprits under the Christmas tree. "Of all the kids,' have ever seen, you'rc'the worst." Mrs. Phil declared in that famous • disgusted tone of voice. In spite of incidents such as that, the day before Christmas is always quite definitely; a success. Even In the stable the stock seem to be pre- paring for the extra rations that we aiw'ays like to hand out on'Christ.mas day. Upst;airs in the barn the hens are scratching around. cackling in that bright,- merry way of theirs . and the (lust comes spilling down in miniature Ningaras through the open cracks between the planks of the barn floor. Patricia, Ann will be hanging up her stockings tonight. Armed with the biggest pair of stool:Ings that she can find in the house it is -quite easy Id imagine her trying to find the best place to put them up. She'll come up on my lcneo to hear another story about those reindeer and the fat, lit- tle giver of toys , and she'll try and keep her eyes fromt.ahutting as File waits up for Santa• but the golden ourls will droop and her eyes will close and we'll tuck her Into bed to dream of the morrow. I enjoy the bushed feeling of antici- eryth ng en the d bel e ei iiristmae..