Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-12-30
GIVING pRfsHNrs.

and presents are In order. Many
thoughtful persons have already de-
cided what their gifts shall be, and
have made their selections. Those
who have not done so have little time
left to consider or to choose. The value
of a gift depends upon Its appropriate
ness. Its least element Is its cost in
money; and no gift, however great Its
sum in dollars and cents, is valuable,
unless accompanied with the hearty
good wishes and the actual "kind
regards. of the donor. Where the
wealthy and the "well-to-do"eSchange
presents, taste only need be considered.
They have only to consider what arti-
Gle would best meet some known desire
or fancy. But there are many CUTS
made at this season into the choice OF
which other considerations should en-
ter. One may know, for instance, a
relative or q friend who could not pc
approached with anything like an offer
of charity, but whose comfort would
be increased bya timely holiday re-
membrance. One easy and direct way
to do is to say: 81 know there are
several things you would like, but !
don't know which you would like best.
Permit me to place at your disposal
the means to suit yourself" Christmas
and holiday and birthday presents may
often thus be utilized to the substantial
benefit 81 the receiver. and to the real
pleasure of the giver. The best holi'
day presents are those which are made
by the favored of fortune to those who
are less comfortably situated. Every
man and woman has some such friend
or acquaintance; and the custom Of
holiday gifts, rightly followed, could
be made the opportunity OF eS,
tending the holiday season all
through the winter, and giving home
new Joys. Hearts can be relieved from
care, and anxious thought for the NOR.
row be avoided by the generous and
iudicious use or our means Of giving,
The very worst feature Of poverty or
of straitened means is the attitude OF
dependence. To this those are forced
whose income is reduced or whose en-
ployment is precarious. Pride Is q
wholesome restraint while it is itself
kept within bounds, and self-respect
makes many people happier as martyrs
than they could be as objects Of char
ity. The pleasant custom of giving
presents enables friends to help each
other without compromising that
feeling Of se~lf-reliance which is one o.
the very best of human qualities. Still
another class of donations should have
their due attention. There are thou.
sands Of persons who can no longer
profess that they are above the need o.
assistance. They have no scruples o
pride lett ; and will be glad Oh whI
ever the benevolent can do for them
Some such people We all know; and
at no time can judicious aid be better
given than just now. Let the holiday
season gladden. the hearts of the needy
In this working day worlditis a happy
circumstance that there are occasions
which lift us out Of our s%elfishness'
OF all the investments which We can
make, the distribution Of the sources Of
happiness and the means Of relief Is
one Of the best. A man spends his
money for the pleasure he can pur,
chase; and there is no direction in
which a dollar will 60 farther than in
giving a happiness to others which Is
reflected upon yourself. There is a
French epitaph, upon which we can
not just now lay hands, but the sense
is "What 1 used, 1 had. What l spent,
l lost. What / gave, l have STILL"