The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-18


consideration Of the masters. they
must nurse their sorrow in silence
They play no striking part In the
drama of the. present. They produce
nothing, save an occasional Jackson or
Lincoln. who would be persona non
grata TO the rulers OF society, and out
OF their ranks ZONES. once in a century.
some Napoleonic FURY to sweep the
earth with a comet of revenge which
leaves a trail Of chaos In its a
"
But I am reminded that Christmas
is the chiIdren's day.
So IL is. And IN that respect II -
an Inspiring success. The child may
be rich or poor. well dressed OF ragged.
but his heart n young and life opens
before him with the roseate morn of
hope. To him Christmas is the embod-
iment of PROMISE He may have tast-
ed the bitter cup OF poverty every
other day in the year. but Christmas
approaches with Its promise OF plenty.
Men may have turned a deaf ear to
his childish appeals. but Santa Claus
is his friend. and when he comes iown
the chimney the howell will be trans
formed into a palace and all the dark
places will be aglow with divine IA
dance.
Yes, IL il the children's day. and how
llllk u - W VIZ NNaA NAtA,
can be no monopoly of hope. How
sweet To know that in the realms Of
childhood bright anticipation is uni
versal: that trusts cannot close the
door between childhood and the light.
There may DC pinched faces among The
children OF the tenements: little forms
may SILVER in scanty raiment: hut
whether they be clothed or naked. well
fed or hungry. h name of Santa
Claus kindles the light of JOY in their
eyes and strikes the Tyre of youth
within their hearts.
In fact. the children in the tene-
ments. whose homes are saualid and
cherries. extract more enjoyment
from the season than do the luxury
burdened offspring of the rich.
There stand W tots of Ave or six
short years. They are ragged and
chilled. Their faces are blue with
cold. Their homes are In the
heart of penury. Neglected. unnotic-
ed by the mammoth city, which whirrs
and grinds md roars about them. they
are types of the heirs to poverty and
want. But someone has mentioned
Christmas in their hearing. They are
all attention. A new luster Is I'm their
eyes. The word which reminds them
tina after all there may be something
I'm the world for them that they have
a friend who comes with merry bells to
give tnem some tOktn WITCH tndlt III
them to the happier world; some sign
that they are members OF the m
family; an assurance that somewhere
in the great wide world there II n throb
of friendship or sympathy for them
that word has been spoken and they
are happy. Their bliss may be tempo
rary. but IL Is of an ecstasy far BE-
yond the children Of the rich, to whom
Injuries become commonplace ana
whose life Of elegant safety leaves lit
tie room for surprises on Christmas
morn. So. indeed. Il Is the children's
day. and II is gratifying to know that
not only in New York city. but In every
city and town. village and hamlet in
the and sweet Charity is thinking of
the fatherless and the helpless.
The lessons of the holiday season In n
great city are many. but the n which
commands first attention IL that NJ
youth. BE young in heart. II possible.
Re merry though the heavens fall.
With but one life To live. let us learn
a lesson from the child.
The most lasting happiness Is that
which comes from the knowledge OF
having made others happy. II all man
kind could learn that lesson on Christ
mas morn and resolve TO practice II.
not one day in the year. but all the
days OF the year. what a different world
II would he. How much more there
would be to live for. How swiftly ha-
tired would vanish. Wha music there
would be in the lives Of men. The
shriveled heart Of the petty tyrant who
r. never 80 happy as when makins
others unhappy. and who though VIII
ing to spend money lavishly to satisfy
his own vanity. pinches and schemes
for the crushing of his fellowmen,
would either expand or break. and flesh
and blood would be recognized as SUI
perior to the pulseless coin.
May we toward that better
day.. when peace on earth. good Will
toward men, shall be the rule. May
gangrened envy and selfishness he van
quished by the gentle sentiments ex-
pressed in "A Merry Christmas"
JOHN NJ. QUINN.
New York. Dec. 13.