, 1889-12-26
WHAT is CHRISTMAS ?
A Question That Is Differently
Answered by Different
Persons.
Views of the Child and the
Maiden, the Young Man
and the Old.

Iasked n little girl whose years
numbered 7, and she replied at
once, "a good time" Questioninga
little more closely, she said: ut Is
the time when Santa Claus comes
in the night to see good little girls,
and fills their stockings with nuts,
raisins, dolls, cakes and candy.
Oh" she added, "he is so nice!
Mamma says he loves little girls and
always starts off with his reindeer
team loaded down with goodies for
the children. He wears a long fur
coat, gloves and cap, aud his beard
is white, because, you know, he Is
old, oh, so old, but then mamma
says he never dies. Anyhow, he Is
not dead yet, and / think he Is CONF
ing to see me this year, for he never,
never missed me yet"
Later accosted bright school
boy of 8 years, and his glistening
ewes grew brighter as he drew on
his warm mittcns and prepared to
20 "coasting' with his new sled.
He said it was "a bully time for
boys" They didn't have to go to
school, and il they were lucky they
received lots of good things. al ex-
pect," said the ruddy-checked
youngstcr, "that I'll get four
blnded knife and set of tools, and
some other things which III give to
the girls, after pve had some Of
them myself"
My next essay was with n young
lady of II. She tried to evade my
question, but at length replied,
blushingly: "You won't say Ii was
/? Well, then, it's just Il grand
time, for you know I'm old enough
to know that the belief which be-
longs to the children is mellowed
by time, and while l ann sure of the
source whence my presents come, |
appreciate them the more. Besides,
| help the children enjoy their
pleasures, and--weii, yes, Charlie Is
| going to buy me n diamond ring.
But how did you find that out?"
Happy, happy maiden! May you
always believe as completely in
"Cbarlie."
The last interview prompted me
to look up one of the numerous
"Charlies.n ! found one readily,
and he had cigar in his mouth.
"Well,n said he, "in reply to your
question ! can only say I'm sonle-
what mixed. You. see, i've been
saving up my surplus cash for some
months, and now am certain my
bank account will hide it's dinIin-
ished head before I've have finished
my purchases. What with sisters,
small brothers of various lengths
and large circle of acquaintance,
aud yes, us you suggest, Il best girl,
10 costs no end of cash to fill the
requirements. But" he added, with
IL warm glaucc of satisfaction, sit
comes only once n year"
That young lady viii surely find
the diamond ring, and ! hope Char
lie will prove to her flawless
jewel
Again, fir ding pleasure apd solid
information were rewarding my
search, / approached Il young busi-
ness man, whose name is known in
| the wide circles of commerce.
"Christmas,n said he, "comes to
me with both serious and pleasant
aspect. The serious part Is that our
book-keeper and myself are very
busy preparing for our scmi-annual
balance, and while I hope | have
made money, | am uncertain until
/ see the figures. Meanwhile, I
must make nay customary offerings
to my friends, and you may rest AS
sured that all my men will have Il
fine turkey for dinner. Business"
he added, "brings responsibilities,
and only those who are in the race
know their weight
Thanking him for his attention !
visited n young married lady of my
acquaintance and prOpounded the
same old question.
"Wcll, IL" she said, "I am so busy
that have scarcely time to reply,
but we are going to have II cclebra-
ton at our church on Christmas
eve especially for the children, and
all my small savings have vanished.
IT," che said, hesitatingly, "you
wish to subscribe to II worthy OBJ
jeot,r etc. Thanking me for my do
nation she smilingly gave me an in
vitation to attend the festival, and,
having accepted 1t, intend to en-
Joy my Christmas, too.
Again vending my way onward
/ called upon an old lady whose
grandchildren may number Il future
president among them. The aged
face lighted up with pleasant remin-
iscences of the past and she said
"Indeed, we old folk live again I'm
the pleasures of the dear children,
and memories of the past, stored
away In memory's cells, are revived
and brought to lite by the magic OF
the holidayaeasOn."
Once again, visited the pastor OF
our church. Resting his head upon
his hand, he said, This is time OF
Joy and work. The responsibilities
Of my position press upon me, but
my duty is plain, and fortunately
for me my pleasures and my duties
are identical. shall press the great
significance of the event we ccle-
brate upon my hearers as best can,
aud l hope peace and good will to
men may prevail"
Surely, I thought as ! wended my
way home, the Christmas time Is a
grand event in our yearly life. Let
us remember the poor and needy, OF
whom, thank Providence, the num-
Der amongst us IL few, and try to
live the life which Christianity and
morality approve. Wishing all u
| hnppv Oh rlatrn I nrn very truly