me... ——— — As Hs had be Li saw or cared. A} it Bh, Ly drew Oo ad a And can’t you hear “ /] ¥] Avhite, o » dg RL Ao + YY, 8 SAA ov A I, W / estern Newspaper Union Ec \ HE plum pudding was ripen- ing, and the guest room was prettier with the yel low drapes than I had ever dreamed it could be, and even the mistletoe hung in all the doorways—all there was left to do was to put the guest towels in the bathroom. As 1 was taking two of my daintiest hand-embroidered towels from the linen chest, it occurred to me to ask my husband just how his sister Willa looked, since I had never seen her, and was going to all the trouble of arranging theater, bridge, and dancing parties for her during her Christmas visit with us, “Well,” Charles had hesitated, told you once that she was a girl’ and old-fashioned.” “But that's very Indefinite,” replied. “How mall is she?” “Oh-a, she's about five feet, Six—— about your height, and has long, red hair 1 suppose it's still long, and she’s rather fat, and-—" “Fat,” I had gasped, “your sister fat.” And then I had visions of Ray- mond Garfield's expression when he should see standing under the mistle. toe, this old-fashioned, fat, red-headed girl who was to be his partner at all of the parties, “Surely, Charles, you don’t remem- ber well.” “Yes, she is fat,” Charles went on, “and although she has money from four years of teaching, she always wears a faded blue serge suit with a belt, and—" The doorbell’s ringing interrupted him. “Tl answer t” I said.—A tele- gram! and tearing it open, I read: “Meet me at 2:15 at the Union depot Willa.” It would be a two-hour trip; so I picked up seme Christmas cards, and my gold founiaim pen with my initials *W. W." on it. I could spend part of the time on the train addressing ecards, . 1 couldn't possibly miss her—the fat, red-headed sehool teacher In faded blue serge—with a belt, I thought as I settled in my seat. - * * . + * * Stepped from the train conscious ¢ patronizing attitude I had as but nowhere could 1 see any. answering Willa's description, It was nearly five o'clock when I reached the last store, where I had charge account, but where my “1 ‘home 1 had check would be accepted. I felt for my fountain pen. It was gone! Frantically I searched my pockets for it, carelessly laying my purchases on the counter, “Step aside please, Madam, you are holding up the line,” politely request- ed the cashier as a stylish, tall blonde my place, and before my dis- mayed eyes out a pen exactly like mine. I remembered Charle® had once told me that often thieves were better dressed nowadays than others. “She easily could have picked my pocket while we were standing in line,” 1 reasoned. Hence, convinced that she had my pen, 1 demanded that the cashier examine the pen and see if it had my “W. WW." on it. It had! “1 will let the Jady off easy” 1 thought as I noticed the costly serge of her modish suit, “because she is probably a kleptomaniac whose—" “There is mistake,” a clear sweet voice Inlerrupted my thoughts took took monogram, ROME I Thought as | Settled In My Seat” “This is my own pen, and ‘W. W.! stands for my name, Willa Woodrow. “Willa Woodrow,” 1 gasped. “This gift!” Then hiding my true thoughts, I hastened to greet her, explaining: “I'm Wilma Woodrow, Charles’ wife.” 1 wrote my check while Willa put things back into my pockets, and we walked from the store together. “But, Willa dear,” 1 exclaimed aft- er we were on the car, “Charles said ‘red hair, and fat.” And 1 added mentally, “faded blue serge.” “Exactly, dear—look at me,” Willa commanded. “I'm looking,” I dhiled, “but what I see is fluffy golden hair crowning a plump, but not too plump, pink-and- white face from which shine two magic blue eyes, and" Then I remembered the holiday par- ties 1 had planned for Charles’ “home- like, old-fashioned” sister, und I ple- tured the fascinated gleam which would come into Raymond Garfield's eyes when he saw Willa standing un: dei war mistletoe, (®. 1921, Westorn Newepaper Union) . so» RS. BARBER, thought, seated at a broad desk, heavily laden with © papers which bore evidence of her many responsibili- ties, planned and pondered the ques- tion at length. She wus of slight build. Her halr was tinged with gray, her complexion clear, her eyes brown and sparkling, her facial pression mv’ st pleasant, although one could not help but note at the mo- ment a trace of worry. There were exactly one hundred and fifty old people in the institution depending upon her care and judg- ment. Never was this fact brought so forcefully to her attention as it was at Christmas time, To be sure, people were generous and thoughtful in remembering this group. That was exactly it. How could one put this generosity into a form which would benefit the largest number in the group? The agitation of the ques- tion had begun but today, when Mrs, Barber had received a note and a do- natjon of fifty dollars from a group of fine, public-spirited citizens who were endowed with the true Christ mas spirit. The accompanying note merely stated that its nee could best be determined by Mrs. Darber, and so would be left entirely to her judgment. She read the note once more as it lay on the desk before her, deep In ex. good 1% a little fund raised in ways by ite members. Each year at Christmas time, we give fifty dollars of this fund to the head of some institution, and leave it to the judgment of the per- gon In charge as to how it will be posed of to best advantage in their particular or peculiar situation. It has occurred to us that the children re more apt to be well taken care ri “Our group or society hi various dig i Pl She Read the Note Once more as It Lay on the Desk. of than are the Institutions such as yours. We therefore wish to remem- ber the Old People's home with our small sum. We have enjoyed accu. mulating this money and hope it, add- ed to your other yearly contributions, may help to bring cheer and happi- pess to your home on Christmas day.” The evening failed to disclose the adequate solution for this problem. However, on the morrow, Mrs, Barber awoke with a radiant face. With the clearness of the morning, the crisp- ness of the gir and the invigoration swhich had come through sound, rest- ful sleep, the perplexities vanished, and Mrs. Barber saw her way clear ly defined before her. Her feet and hands couldn't work fast enough to comply with the wishes of her brain, Time was limited. Plans must be drawn up quickly and executed im- mediately. The first day saw the telephone as a center of interest, It was constant- ly in use either for outgoing or in- coming calls. If Mrs, Barber had realized how many phone operators she wore out, her kindheartedness would certainly have made her spread her phone calls over two days. She “was fo enthusiastic and absorbed in her plans that she was not aware of her excessive tax upon these girls The last phone call brought smiles and added energy to Mrs. Barber as she hurried off into the heart of the great smoky city. She spent perhaps an hour behind closed doors in con- ference with the matron in charge of the large settlement house. At the end of that time she emerged with a plece of paper bearing the names of some fifteen young boys and girls Glancing down the list she swallowed forcefully, uitered au pecullar sound and shook her head as she said: “Can't exactly say I am very apt at pronouncing these long foreign names,” The Settlement house matron put her hand on Mrs. Barber's shoulder in an affectionate manner, “Don't worry. They understand and are used to it. They will help you and you will goon learn their Americanized versions.” The next two days were spent In the city library. From the stacks of books which Mrs. Barber went through in her two days there, but one did she select to take away with her For some few days after this Mrs, Barber occupied her time with the white paper with the list of unpro- nounceable names, the book, and last but not least, fifteen vivacious young persons, my and a little crude, but bow sweet, earnest, happy and eager they wore. The training had to be patiently undertaken. The response was altogether what might have been Can They Count on You By E. R. ROBINSON in Farm and Ranch pres AN they count on you to always do The thing that you know is right? Or do they think you're sure to shirk When the cause demands a fight? Do they say of you “He is true blue" In the work committed to you; Whe will stick to your work and never shirk Till you carry your contract through? Or do they say “He'll run away In the time of sorest need; His dearest treasure is bis selfish pleasure; His idol is lu:t or greed”? Do they also say “He loves to play When the game goes his own way, But be gets lame when be loses the game, And is ready to charge foul play”? Do your friends all feel you'll stand like steel When the great test comes to you; That you'll face the strife, and give your life For the cause you know is true? Or do they fear when that test draws near Shall try your inmost heart, You'll sell the Christ for a paltry price, And play the traitor’s pant? We are needing men who can clearly ken The things that are most worth while; Who can look chead and forget the dead, And at misfortune smile. For the thoughtful man who can work and plan When the untrained lose their head; With the skilful hand at bis command, Who can honestly earn bis breed. They look long in the common throng For the man of faith and love, Who can think and feel for bis brother's wed, And plan for the life above. With a tender heart to take the pert Of the wretch cast down in sin; Whose help is sure for the weak end poor, Who beeps the Christ within. « xpe ted from high-spirited youngs Then, lastly, decorations to be p——— 1 kind-hearted, ters, - there were the attended to. thes house | There | which | wreaths, trim the tree | of holly familiar | lied the whise joys not now far wore willing hands in the home helped and put up the and mistletoe to the house, hang ttle sprigs Melodies not gen The humming and quiet told of expected in the offing. There many prepara would be what younger ration 0 ting was shopping to be done and for the food which | Busy days, but | Mrs. Barber was | a busy or too tired t top and have a of the their wishes, if tions DECeEKNTrY. happy neyer tu Ones, friendly chat people, suggestions or it was at elderly to so arrived. to | rist- | 1 Christmas Day, the When the old their breakfast, mas tree laden with at jeast for each. -They were as pleased and happy children with their pres- | ents At noon the portion. One would never have: guessed that the folks ranged any- | where from seventy to ninety-five, as | they trooped in to Christmas dinner, i The table was heavily laden with all i the Christmas delicacies, especially | good for people of their age. They | also had another little surprise. They | had fifteen radiantly bappy who were Introduced to was Indecd hard to Judge enjoying the dinner the most, young or the old. Suffice it the young folks encored it the most, folks came down they found a Ch a i one gL | as i the | Barber made a little announcement. “Our guests have out today | not only to help us enjoy our Christ. | mas dinner, but to help us to have | a delightful afternoon. They have | come prepared to present a short | Christmas play and to furnish us a | little musical entertainment.” From the chuckles, smiles, and applause, come laughter there was no doubt - 5 Re at es There Were Willing Hands Which Helped Trim the Tree. about the approval with which the entertainment was received. The young people were worth of all the praise which they received. The conching had been successful, The day had been delightful and was a topic of conversation for a long time, Mrs, Barber was even happier over the occasion than the old folks, If such a thing could be possible. She realized that this vision, her scheme, had been practical. The fifty dollars had given pleasure to not only the old people but it gave these young for eign Settlement-house children a chance to share in the joys of Christ. mas, the Joy of giving of their own talents, reaping the consequential re. wards of pleasure, praise and remu- neration, the joy of finding the true Christmas spirit in giving freely of themselves, as well as having had a sumptuous Christmas dinner which otherwise might have been merely a thing of their dreams, (@®, 1927, Wontern Newspaper Union.) I rT aR descended Judea, All the earth and resting in a No stillness, herd men were upon Was N81 had he | oe a the hilis of hushed and still; heavens seemed great, came 11o calm sound break the Even the huimnble shes who watched their flocks silent—they felt the deep thrill and mystery of the night. Humble and uneducated as they they could not fathom what it all mean, but in their hearts was of awe and wonderment kept them si- deep « 100, were, a sense that lent. Then on the darkness night there came out the heavens a dazzling light and the shepherds were frightened. ut an angel of the Lord wi standing beside them and in ¢ voice that found its way to their very hearts told them to fear not, rather to re instead, for he was bringing them tid- ings of great joy, that the long- looked -for Savior had been born that gight in Bethichein of Judea. And when this angel had finished speaking the glory of heaven shone brighter all thout them, and looking up they be- held a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and singing the song that has echoed since through ail the ages: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will,” After the angels had departed and the dazzling Heght had wane ished from the hiligide the shep- herds whispered among them- selves, and they decided to leave their flocks and go to the little town of Bethlehem, as the angel had told them. Over the hills and valleys they went, never pausing until they came to the humble stable where the Savior lay. There they prostrated § themselves at His feet, praising God for the thing that had come to pass, and telling Mary, His mother, and Joseph of what they had seen and heard that night. Then they departed from His presence and went their way, toling all whom they met of the Savior's coming. 80 was it at the first Christe mas !~-Katherine Edelman, (@®, 1927, Western Newspaper Union.) of the of Jp - 24 - - - i foice mmm . oe PRITON Re - seme AA Christmas i in Spain I Spain the children seek secret places among the shrubs and bushes in which to hides their shots and on Chrigtmas morning they po out to find them filled with fruits andheandies.~ Farm and Ranch, HERE never to jaunt t 1 hope eprive my said ® the other is one youngsiers of” : business man day, “and that is the an nual trip to the woods after Christmas greens for the house Ever were married my wife and I have bundled ourselves up in warm togs and gone ont a day or tw Christmas and and ground some mis year since we o before armfuls of bran oecasionally gathered hemlock pine, and thoug! in our part of the coun spruce ches, sprays of tietoe, this is rare try. “After the children came, this ex cursion into the wos became as much a part of Christmas as the tree, the stockings, and the dinner. When we were living out in the suburbs, near the open woods, we used to go out and chop our own Christ mas tree and bring it home on a low sledge, “Then the time to move into down came when we had town, because of my having a good deal of night work, and it took too long to get way out into the country late at night. We couldn't bring home our own Christ mas tree any more, of course, but we could, and did, take a whole day to go out and get our Christmas greens, and we do it every year. If the weather is open and there isn't too much snow, we take the car and drive out to the woods, “If there is a great deal of snow and it is impossible to take the car out, we go on the train to a con- venient country station, get off and tramp through the woods, and col- lect our Christmas decorations. If we have too large a load to take into the coach, I find that the baggage car will bring it in to town far a half. dollar or so. The spirit of Christmas comes back with us from the woods, and the twining of olir own greens ine to wreaths and festoons means un hun dred times more than If we bought them out of a wooden packing box at the florist's.” Copyright.)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers