Christmas Trails and Gales by Florence Haris Wells OW that she was really at home for Christmas Kath- arine Mann found wishing that she had invited some of her young city friends to accompany Katharine was working on the last few rows of the scarf she was knitting for her mother’s Christmas gift and her thoughts were as busy as her fingers. She had thought il was going to be too stupid in the little bay shore vi lege for her friends. But father mother and brother Jack had all 80 sincerely delighted to see her she had decided a home was alter the only place In which to spend Christmas and boarding and rooming houses could not compare, no matter how cougenial the young folks might be. Still she did wish Aldrich might be here, too. herself her. been Fred of her life she was learning. now that for six months. at that boarding house, ly Fred, she admitted to herself. idea she would not have had any one surmise -— no, not for anything. Thirteen - year-old Brother Jack came dashing Into the room : “Shall we go get the Christmas tree, sister? “All right,” Kath- arine answered quickly. It was al ways an adventure to cut across the ice-covered bay to the pine woods on the other side and select exactly the right tree from the abundance to found there. Jack would chop it down and together they would tie it secure ly on the big sled. It was easy enough to bring it back, especially when the lee was as smooth as it was this year; for they would skate over and back. It was two miles seross to the pine woods which they reached In much less time than it n&ifilly took them. They did not often have such a smooth skating surface. It was time well gained; for 1t took much longer than was customary to find just the right sized tree to fit Into the space allotted it In their living roem. The short De cember day was already drawing to a close when the two found themselves once more on the ice heading for home, “We'll have to hurry If we got home before dark, Jack.” “Don’t 1 know It!” Jack answered. “Look! It's snowing” Sure enough the alr was filled with fine, glistening particles, “We've got to hustle now, Kath, You know you're plain stuck If you get the ice in a snow storm.” lided holding firmly I'he sharp caught on On they sled to the rope snow granules became more numerous. The alr was filled with them, pelting and biting their faces and making the skating less and less easy, The cracks and holes in the lee More than and Katharine found them- alr ba were soon covered. once Jack selves ch the tortions to Ke¢ their Suddenly Katharine's in a In f Jack's skate and they and sprawling on the snow-covered surface The sleigh, with it, past them, carried the impetus of its weight and itening id 1 LL caught hole, sliding both went the tree on t Oy sped on the firing start had. foot hit collapsed in time 8 fish together, regaining their see § runaway man's hut. The hut watched two much beflurred, Ty the sieigh er and irate gle from 8 themselves around to disentan wreck and glare see what about. Katharine and Jack them as fast as the skating towards sped would per “We're Katharine covered sorry.” began in 80H Snow the cracks the and skate caught she got no further A pair of black ice my fur cap were mis twink- “So you're our Mann. 1 came up here on your trail but 1 didn't expect Jou to upset my plans in this fash. fon.” Katharine had her poise: —— “How did yon get here, Fred Aldrich? “You did. But what's a city without it? 1 decided to ae cept uncle's proffered Invitation to fish; so 1 followed you home. You know my aunt and uncle?” “Of course. We're old fends” upon the uncle. “But I didn't know you were relatives, This is my broth er, Jack." “Let's go home and get the tree up. It's almost quit snowing,” Jack offered unceremoniously, “Let's,” the uncle added, but he smiled as though well pleased. “Your mother has already asked os for It was “A pretty fine one I'd say,” Fred's voice sounded very gay and happy “That tree deserves special attention in my opinion, So off we go. over the ice and through the snow.” And someway It proved much easier going now than it did before—espe clally to Katharine, € Western Newspaper Union, The Green Christmas Tree In order to Keep the tree green all the time it Is on display, cut a small piece from the base of the tree so that a new surface Is exposed. Then wet the tree In its support with a small pan containing water in the center so that the base of the tree is resting in the water all the time. Add an aspirin tablet to the water and prepare to have a flourishing tree this year, ORIN OORRO ORR OE ONE CRON HDNNNENE KR inader A CASE OF COMPETITION i“ | F SOME take us growed “Here we one only ; x : would nnd Blitzen stand in ont exercise us" the stables FRREOnnaIOnY month afte onth and Santa us. I've al toirace with a roof.” agreed Donder “For three years master taken his around world in =» flying machine hardly Hes most forgo a cloud or land “y from near WEY ten how on know it” his stall our presents iE | | now has the “I'm fed up with this dull life “We're declared Comet 1 children miss There was a the no good to anyone” wonder if the us?" long tn Then suddenly the were flung wide. A little man in gllence stables, doors a red coat bounced Come on!” he the We're going our in sites! I've had ten million letters from chil dren saying they can't possibly to sleep Christmas eve une they hear my reindeer pounding on the roof. Off with youl” The called, “Jump i fast into harness on rounds five min ve go less sleigh stable In a all,” sald Santa, reindeer are planes, hey never have engine trouble. Get up, Donder! on, Blitzen !™ The bells jangled, the reins slapped, the sleigh swept forth on its age-old journey.~Martha Banning Thomas, ©. Western Newspaper Union, ; AT TARTEANI RI IRIRTIRIREIEINA] SNES Use Sleigh Bells for Jolly Christmas Game ERE is a new and exciting game to play at a Christmas party. First borrow a set of sleigh bells. They are not as easy to find as in the old days Find a string with tuneful, varying notes if you wish the game to jingle to the ill measure of holiday fun. The idea is "imply this: It is possi- ble to suggest, then control the action of a person whe does pot know what is In your mind, but must find out through the sound of the bells. Here is the way to do it: Send one of the guests from the room. The remainder decide what he must do. For instance--go to a certain table, "pick up a book, take it to an- other table and place it near the lamp. Here are four separate acts in sue: cession, The person outside is called back. Somebody has been chosen to be the manipulator of the bells. He must use out of the “After think my than alr zipped twinkling | better Go R softly when the act approaches what is In the minds of all; ringing loudly guided to do what has been secretly agreed upon, Loud ringing when he is far from his goal or going from It, soft, soft, barely audible when he is near the doing of what Is required. Martha Banning Thomas, © Westra Newspaper Union . CENTRE HALL, PA. © @ LITTLE | ORPHAN MARY CHRISTMAS ty. Jf eas 1." SIGHED Mrs. Bouner, "we have a hundred dollars. Oh, well,” And she tucked the money away In her blouse, “You don't seem very de lighted, my dear,” observed her husband. He laid down his pipe and put an arm around her shoulders. “What does Bess say? Mrs. Bonner read spatches the letter. “And so,” it finished, “as we shall be well on our way by Christmas, we are sending you two this hundred dollars. 1 do hope you will get some thing you really want. We thought of the usual presents, but It seems you have them all and we get down so seldom nowadays that I have no idea what may be In your mind. Remember, now, no saving this. Spend it by Christ. mas for whatever will make you most happy. Bob sends his regards to you both, Your loving daughter, Bess” “It has been a long time since had a hundred dollars to spend right off without thinking, Mother." her hus. band sald. “Now you should get your self a fine and »” of we new dress, et me BO “A fine John? Why should 1? No one ever troubles to come to see us.” She turned her head away. “Why, Mother, you're crying” “No—no, I'm not, John to act like a hoped" “1 know. | had. too. It would have heen nlee to have had Bess back again for Christmas, new dress, I'm ton old baby. Only | had so and a tree, and dinner— the Orphan Asylum” and well, folks around know what | mean.” “It Just doesn’t seem lke Christmas any more. Hemember when Bess was a baby? Her first doll, and that year she got the cowgirl sult! She cried and cried, because she had though would have trousers instead of 8 & I declare, isn't wouldn't give have a again-—just for Christmas time.” “A little girl—with golden hair That would be wonderful, wouldn't 17 Suddenly be slapped his leg. “By Jove, Mother, why couldn't we? With a hun dred dollars" “John! Would yon want to? "Why not? You said yourself there wasn't anything you would rather have “How nice it would be” she mused, "Maybe we could borrow one from the erphan asylume—* “And buy ber candies" “And a doll" “And a pink dress" “And a cowgirl! suit" “Oh, my dear, It makes us both so young again! Let's do it.” Up went the holly and up went the tree. A wreath hung in the window: a plum pudding bung in the pot Mr. Bonner strung the lights and Mrs. Bon. ner trimmed the tree-—for little Orphan Mary was to arrive that afternoon. Jefore things were half ready, she came--a shy little girl, with big, round eyes and soft yellow hair. Her severe little dress was a trifle short, her hat a bit too old, her coat very plain. The woman from the orphanage made the necessary Introductions, wiped Mary's nose, stuck the hand kerchief in her pocket and eantioned her to "be a good girl" And then she was gone, and a scared little girl was trying very hard not to cry. “Do come in and get your things off, Mary,” sald Mrs. Bonner. “We have a lovely tree, but you're not to look at it until after dark. 1 thought this aft. ernooh you could help me make cook: ies. Would you like that?” “Ooh” sald Mary. “I'd love It!" Somehow this lady made her feel all warm, and not a bit afraid. “I know how to make cornmeal mush all alone,” she volunteered. “How nice! We must have some while you're here-—or maybe you'd en. joy something else more” Mrs Bon ner added as an afterthought. “We're going to have turkey Christmas. Do you like turkey, Mary?” “1 guess so. | never had any, We You laughing there to “Now before we make the cookies” Mra. Bonner directed, "you must first wash your hands. Walt, I'll get you a towel" “Ohi™ Mary exclaimed, when the drawer was opened. “What gorgeous rags!” ’ “Those are silk pleces. | was going to make a pillow top, but then when belonged to my wedding dress, and | wouldn't have anything happen to them for the world.” B8he closed the drawer and helped Mary dry her hands. “Now let's go make the cook len,” she sald, "Dad, do you want to watch?” That night when Mary had been tucked away In Bess's old room, the kind-hearted couple sat for a long time In front of the fireplace, talking. “I am so glad we could get her for #8 few days before Christmas” Mr, Bonner remarked. “How her eyes popped when she saw the tree! And when we told her that on Christmas morning there would be presents un- der it for her, It seemed too wonderful for her to believe ™ “Yet | noticed a wistfulness in her eyes,” his wife answered, “as though something was keeping her from being completely happy.” “She still feels a little strange, per- haps. It will pass.” “1 hope so, 1 almost wish she could stay always. It will be hard to give her up when the time comes” Mrs. Bonner was surprised to find, next morning, that Mary had closed and locked her door, She answered her knock, however, and appeared prompt- ly for breakfast, apparently perfectly happy. Yet Mra, Bonner was worried to notice that whenever Mary had an opportunity, she would slip away to her room, lock the door, and stay there until she was called. They spent one day In town shop ping, and on the next made all prepa- rations for Christmas dinner. On Christ mas eve they went to church, and heard the old familiar carols And then Orphan Mary went to bed in high excitement, and Mr. and Mrs Bonner piled the gifts sround the tree. Christmas morning brought a snow. storm and dark skies. Mrs slept lightly, and at the first sound of Mary stirring she got up. A few min utes later she came back to her hus band. “John, what did you do with my silk pieces?” “Why. 1 haven't seen them, Mother ™ “Well, they're gone. Do sup pose? Mary!” “Yes'm. Merry Mary came out Into the hall “Merry Christ mas, Mr. Boaner.™ “The same know what + Bonner you Christmas!” dear became of io Mary, do my silk you, you pieces » “Why, yes'm, “You what? “I'd lots rather Mrs. Bonner” “Please I” didn’t ask said you ghe “My lovely silk pleces. and yon take them without saying = You know that's stealing, Mary nodded and began to cry. “And yet you word! don't you?” took them. Mary ?™ “Ses'm.” “Well, that it. There's settles ane have around, and that's dressed, both of you, John will drive you back. ™ “Now, mother" “Io 14 around? No Get you want a thief take next your things, Mary. Hurry !™ Orphan Mary turned quickly and did as she was told. By the time John had the engine warmed in silently beside hin started off. Mrs the Then tree. up she climbed and they Bonne: peeked around a corner parior curtain ss went the turned and looked at the The presents were in 8 heap at the foot, hnt WAS Bow » mockery. She sank on a stool and idly counted them over. And then she noticed one thst had not been there last night. It was a little hack from the others and more crudely wrapped, She opened IL. and there was a pillow, all made from the of they the tinsel down “How Her Eyes Popped When She Saw the Tree” quilt pieces. She ran to the window, but the car was quite out of sight “Oh,” cried Mrs. Bonner, “that poor child! She couldn't stand not having a present to give in return, and so she made for me the one thing 1 said 1 wanted.” She hugged the pillow close, and her tears spotted one of the best pleces. After a while she heard the car drive into the garage, and her hus. band’s step on the porch. She ran to meet him. “Look, John! Look what Mary made for me. And I called her a thief! Can't we get her back? She counted so much on this Christmas, and now I've spolled it all!” “I wouldn't say that quite, Mother. It can still be the happiest Christmas ever.” “What do you mean?” “Well, you see, when we got to the orphanage 1 didn’t have the heart to let her go. i asked them for adoption papers, If you | want to, we can just sign these up | and keep her always ™ “Then, where's Mary? “Why, she's out in the garage®™ Mrs. Bonner threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, John, you darling! What a glorious Christmas And they went out together for It we found out you were coming, | stuck them In there. Some of those pleces i ~ tle Orphan Mary. © Westerns Newspaper Union, a PERFORATED DESIGN FOR By GRANDMOTHER CLARK fev, LO upon patches use work the in the design, and If accurately quilting. not thateriag in i848 no pattern the quilting mitern, is the way ke quilts y pi produces INpIng is he on bond p h- yer ag ur Group Insurance lies of almost states on of the nhers, neement jonal Industria ‘onference ™ 8 if S30 000 life-inst { lies when the ami dies. — Literary Digest is " 3 be No harmful « gx. Pay nothin Write HEMRO-LENE, * LD Hiscox Patehogun, N your kidneys are not working suffer backache, burning, scanty or too swollen feet and
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers