The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-12-24
A HINT FOR CHRISTMAS CIV
ING.
In Gifts 10 Those Lacking Worldly
Goods Don't Make Useful Pres
ents Only.

full Christmas presents, notwithstanding
that hosts Of practical iDdi yiduals especially
those Of Philanthropic turn Of mind. are
forever advising Just to the contrary. or
course. where extreme poverty l. ~ ques-
ton. when the very necessities Of life are
lacking. a ton Of coal or a basket Of proyis-
ions l. doubtless more suitable gift than
would be- -ilkcn table cover or an embroid-
cred scarf: but, barring such extreme cases,
the greatest degree Of benefit and happl-
ness experienced by the exchange Of gifts
at the season Of good will To men docs
not. a. a rule. result from those Of a strictly
useful nature After all, men aud women
arc only boys and girl, grown tall; and,
pray, what healthy boy would prefer pair
Of boots 10 Toy pistol or a pair Of skates,
a doll or box Of candy. a. his or her
annual contribution from Santa Claus
Perhaps one Of the angric-t women IN
New York last Christmas was a young wo-
man who put, up in two-dollar.a-week hall
room aud boards herself part Of the time,
in order that she may pursue her studies.
Now. this girl. who Is well connected and
very attractive. is terribly handicapped IN
her efforts 10 respond to invitations Of a
social nature by reason Of dearth Of
the little ornamental accessories Is well
nigh Indispensable TO a-gOing-out-to-dine,
or a--pend the-evening toilet Silkcu
sashcs. ribbons aud laccs, and the most
ordinary bit- Of jcwclry all cost money. and
money l. the one commodity Of all others
she Iacks When, therefore. Oh Christmas
exc a small package arrived directed 10
her IN the handwriting Of Il rich friend,
who knows ali about these difficulties, her
heart beat high with anticipation, her
fingers tremblcd as she snapped the Irvine,
tore open the wrapping paper, lifted the
box cover and drew out-a half dozen
pairs Of stockings
in poem are these lines;
And am tired-so tired of rigid duty.
80 tired Of all my Tired hands find ~ do.
yeRn. faintfor some of lifc's free beauty,
n loose beads with no straight string running
through.
Aye. laugh if you VII at my crude speech.
But women sometimes die Of such Il greed
Die for the small joys held beyond their reach.
And the assurance they have all they need.
Women oftentimes want a great many
things they don't actually necd-things,
however. which cannot be classcd among
the extravagauccs; and without question
one may be just as true a philanthropist
by catering occasionally to these as by
ministcring to the more prosaic needs Of
/ humanity \ matinee ticket would give
to many an ovcrworkcd mother much more
happiness and do her more good in the long
run than would the present of pair Of
gloves and pleasant little fete or excur-
, sion planned for the periorce stay-at-homes
4 often confcrs a more lasting benefit than
would the presentation of its equivalent in
money
\ box of very handsome, fashionable
note paper, given to one who must con
tent herself the year round with a cheap
quality, is known to have given an amount
of happiness entirely disproportionate to
I the amount expended, and the sweet little
mother Of IL large family, for which the
husband aud father has all he can do to
provide the very plainest food and raiment,
went into almost childish ecstacies not oug
ago on the receipt of Christmas present of
a set of table candelabra topped with dainty
satin shades A barrel of flour or bibs
for the children were more needed, per
haps, but the little woman louged-oh, so
much--lcr just such beautiful suggestion
Of comfort and prosperity. you have no
idea, said she, THE pleasure it gives me
occasionally to light up my candles at sup
per time. | can almost persuade myself |
am giving fashionable tea, and after the
manner of Dickens's jailbird, who cut up
his allowance of prison bread into omclets,
salads, beeisteaks, &c, as his fancy dictat-
ed. | Try to make my bread and butter and
apple sauce represent IA menu suitable for
the occasion
Of course there ave exceptions to all
rules, but take it all in all it is the lack of
the ornamental in their homes and ward
robes and Of pleasant diversion in their
lives, which, quite as often as the lack Of
the strictly needful, prematurely ages and
drives 10 dependency so many women.
The Christmas tide affords to every one
with surplus Of money aud the DISPOSE
ton to spend it on unequalled opportunity
to become veritable angel ofligld to some
one. The pity oft is that for lack of earn
est intelligent thought, such piles of money
should be spent each year so indiscrimi-
uatelv and with so little care MS to results