Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-21
What a Christmas Present Should

To the Editor of the Erening Star:-The mum.
Der OF people to whom Christmas Is season OF
annoyance rather than OF pleasure seems to be
increasing If one may Judge from what he hears
about every other man and woman say. The
cause in nearly every instance being the same
viz: the feeling that every One with whom they
are acquainted expects a valuable present, and
that,unieSS they beStOw such presents they will
not be considered thoroughbred To my mind
Christmas present should be an offering Of af-
lection; L o matter what the gift may be II 1t Is
given from any other motive than affection IL
is, or ought to be, valueleSS. IL has, am sorry
TO say, become the fashion OF late years TO
gu3ge the love of our friends BY the cost OF their
Christmas offerings. There are but too many
men and women, young and old, married ana
single. Who consciously or unconsciousiy, iook
forward expecting tokens that are beyond the
ability of those from whom they are expected.
To 81 atty this, only too well known expecta-
ton, many otherwise Wen disposed anu sensible
people, not only deprive themselves OF
go TO pay just debts. This is plain language,
but Is there a man or woman whose eye reads
Ii who will not, from their own knowledge,
perhaps, from their own experience, endorse
II: What sort OF friendships Offering is that
which is bought at high figures by man head
over heels in debt, and who only gives it from
fear of being considered mean2 Young ladies,
and good many old ones, will toss their heads
and say, . Law. we don't ask for presents.
man is very foolish to buy things he can't
Afford &C.. but how do they act towards those
who do not. for such reason, ask their accept
ance OF valuable presents at this season? 1t is
all very well LOT tle TlcQ 10 1QQulSe In ieWelfy,
brOnZeS and paintings, but when it comes down
to poor devil of a clerk or mechanic-who
would like to spread himself, but who hasn't
TOOm-itS altogether another thing. Yet,
owing TO the unaccOuntable perverSity of our
nature, the very persons who expect the most
elaborate presents are the wives, SweetheartS
and children Of the aforesaid clerks and me-
chanlcS. Just take my case as a sample: I'm a
clerk, on moderate pay; I've been quite success
Iui as family man, having seven coupons
from my marriage bond. I am, of course
short OF money nearly all the time. / am not
extravagant in my living, neither are any OF
my family; yet We can just about make both
ends meet. Well, six OF my young ones the
baby can't talk yeti have given me to under
stand, either directly or indirectly, what they
expect from me on Christmas day, and at
rough estimate 1t will foot up about as much as
my salary amounts to for one month. And,
then again. the other night walked down 9TH
street with my wife, and she accidentally ~
halted me In front OF jewelry store. After
gazing for moment in the window she grabbed
me and exclaimed: "My dear (when she calls
me her dear ! know there's a funding scheme
Just ahead. at other times she uses my baptiS-
NAL cognOmen. John ThOmaS,) amt that pair of
bracelets too lovely for anything. Now If |
was called upon 10 select present they are
Just what would chOOSe., As had lust about
thirty-flye cents we didn't get EN-. You may
judge from what tell you that my family has
got II bad. and you viii readily understand that
I'm expecting nice time on Christmas If you
have any words Of comfort about you, let's
nave EN-. Yours.
December Is. IS!S. CHRISTMAS