Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-12-29
PROF. wENSEI.
Lectures
Tuesday. Dec. IA, and Thursday, Dec Ie.
PSYCHIC MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.

"Welll'' they all exclaimed, what does
he mean by that?' '1H
ut seems TO me easy enough" said Pencil
ope. at is having the spirit or soul of the
season within. / used to think of these
things once, but Christmas seems a dead
season now. Funny, too" she laughed
when / have here under my arm Is proof
sheets of Atoms new Christmas story
which / am TO correct this very night"
'AndI," said Estella, never celebrate III.
day now; though / am teaching six new
Christmas carols to my pupils, and have an
anthem in my music roll to practice for
Christmas service in our little church"
And ]" pulled Urania, ''have ten pounds
of dried fruits for the Christmas mince
pies. 1t all goes to those greedy boarders
of mine, and am too tired to know what
Christmas means in these days. 1t is dead
anniversary and practical people have out
grown it,
A fare from the electric lamp sent a
light over the three keen, intelligent old
faces, and revealed three hands clasped
closely and alphabetically. They were all
well over go, and their faces bore marks of
sorrow, courage and well-fought battles.
Penelope and Urania were what the world
calls "old maids" glowing friends would
have another name). In youth Penelope had
had family, home, wealth and ease; now
all these had passed from her. She was
merely a book canyasser when ''the firm"
required her services, or a stenographer or
proof-reader when that sort of work
pressed. Her "home" was a back room in
shabby house, on a dull street in the
sleepy old city; her only relative, brother,
remained. He, alas, was hopelsssly insane;
yet the brave woman supported him, al
ways spoke of him as "my weak minded
brother" visited him on every holiday, and
strove with love and gifts to recall the boo
wandering mind. In this duty she neve
faIed; remaining as Loyalty true to him a
TO her young lover who had been browne,
at sea IS years ago.
Orania had been an only child, mother
less from birth. Her noble old father hat
laid down his life for his country on tn,
battlefield of Gettysburg and, after mourn
ing him so sincerely many years assisted b,
numerous impecunious relatives), she awak
ened to the fact that her money was spent
her house mortgaged, and she was on tn,
verge Of ruin through their care and sym
patty" She plucked up courage, swept hel
house of kinsfolk, and went practically int,
the business at which she had played too
long. She was Plump, rosy and motherly
with great soft hands, tender heart and ,
kindly spirit-a great contrast to the pale
ethereal Penelope and the slight, nervou.
Estella, but her very dissimilarity was an
attraction to the others, their different
characteristics serving to draw out the best
side Of their natures.
Estella had lately returned to the old
town where all had lived in their early girl
hood, and she brought q spirit that stirred
to life many tender memories. She had had
her sorrows. Widowed and made chidSss
in the second year of marriage, she had tc
| face the world and turn the art that she
sdored into packhorse to sustain her life
and carry her over hard bridges.
Now the three had met, snd-well, they
felt young again, and acted 80.
| Three old pieces Of drifswood touEhsns cd
by the tide" said Estella. Too old to eel.
ebrate anything, even q day antique al
| Christmaa."
| Il have heard that driftweod makes ,
beautiful FIRE for warmth and color" said
Papelops. foftly