Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-18
GENIUS OF XMAS.
THE SEASON CHANGES LIFE FOR
THE TIME.
SOME SUGGESTIONS Is TO GIFTS.
The Di3erence BETWEEN the "lfust
Havcs" and the "Would Haves'-
How Did She Manage Its-Prospec-
tive Sleigh Ride.
Correspondence Of the Dispatch.)

Worrespondenco OF the Oispatch-l
ALTON. VA. December l5.-There Is
something In the real spirit Of Christmas
even a week ahead--that changes the
whole aspect of life for brief time. OF
all the festivities that civilized man ever
knew. there is none like Christmas. All
others have their special significance for
this creed or that, for this nation or an
other. but the natal day OF our Saviour
throws its gentle influence over all. no
matter of what CLINE or race. AS re-
ligious festival though yet reverently re-
membered, Christmas has long since been
oyershadowed by its sociai characters
tics. 1t Is the earnest good will towards
others which makes US, indirectly. hap
pier. There are half apologies for our
own gladness Of spirit by the saying
Christmas comes but once year." 1t
Is true. and pity tits tbs true. We should
have an eternal millennium IL the emo
tons Of tho next seven days could cover
a year. The problem Of the selection of
Christmas gifts-except where stern ne
cessity sets a rigid limits a trying one.
1t is amusing to note how human nature,
SO often callous at other times. varies
now in it's endeavors TO express care and
loving thought by gifts.
Emerson says that the gift should be
an expression of the idea in life nearest
to the heart. The artist should give
picture, the dainty housewife some tri-
butte OF her handiwork, the sailor a rare
shell, the poet a song. These last reci-
pients might be worthy OF great sympa-
thy, but, anyhow, the Idea is an express
sion of personality in our gift In a gift
we appreciate the common sense, but DO
we really enjoy 1t when some practical
friend steps forward and cards ones
Christmas present with Il knew you
needed thisl' What one must have rare
ly gives pleasure. It's the little luxury
that you can't quite justify yourself ia
buying that gives the real thrill OF de-
light.
The wise giver, who wishes to give Joy
as we'll as gift. selects some object a
little beyond the allowable purchase Of
the receiver. This keeps up the difference
between the must HAYES and the
would haVes," ana is not Christmas ein-
phatically season Of the would haves''?
In this matter Of gift-buying, / once
knew Of a tribute from a meek and low
ly man TO the genius OF woman. The
meek and lowly man himself was the
informer. He started out at Christmas
tide TO purchase presents for relatives
and friends. He was not rich and could
not afford to be reckless. Last year he
had become sorely discouraged in his
problem Of how to make three go into
two and one over. and this time he con-
Guided TO ask help of a cousin, a dear
little woman in a big house. with SER
wants, children, and a husband to govern.
She was "A busy woman, / knew" said
he with her charity work, grinding
mathematics for her son and teaching
French as she Is spoke to her daughters
She has lots OF friends. entertains them
all now and then, and returns her social
calls religiously.?
What's the matter. dear?" she asked.
when / went in with my long face; and
told her.
How much can you spend?" she want
ed to know; "and for whom?"
Well" said i, there's Mary and Helen,
and Tom and Ben, and the Sutton twins"
These and others went promptly down on
q slip OF paper.
"All right" she smiled; "come around
day after tomorrow and well see what
can be done. You come now and rest
your weary brain with a cup of tea"
The second day following. you may be
sure. the big man called.
That little genius OF woman led him 10
a room where, arranged so as TO make
a fascinating display, were more than a
dozen Christmas-gifts, with tag on each,
showing for whom 1T was bought. Every
tnlnB, Ne declared, was beautiful, ana
just the right thing for the right person
had been selected.
Here" she said, putting a roll into his
hand, lis the change"
I'm the name of Santa Claus!' my
friend exclaimed. Margaret, how did you
do it?'
That's the only tribute I ever heard OF
being given to the genius Of woman.
AS for US, we shall cross the Blue
Ridge in two-horse sleigh, "for the snow
lies thick on the frozen ground" and bar
ter our eggs and buffers for the Christ
mas frivolities dear to childish hearts, and
take in, besides. lot Of healthful ozone
and splendid view Of the snowy valley,
stretching below Our biggest gobbler
has been reserved for the festive occasion,
and we shall see him In the barnyard
away off like a full-st-p lead-pencil mark
on this white paper. If we do not cease
our scribbling.