New-York tribune., 1902-12-25
LITTLE CHRISTMAS TOKENS.
How One Woman Sent Homemade Goodies
TO Her Friends.

It happened that one Christmas the woman who
was good cook found herself without more world
ly wealth than was essential to appease the oe-
rnands of the butcher. the baker and the canole-
stick maker. At the same time she had large ano
distinctly well to circle of friends. all so dear
to her heart that the thought of passing them py
at Christmas somewhat bitter She had re-
signed herself fate when, three or Tour Gays
before the day of days, her old aunt from the
South came to the city. 1t was the event
of wears for Aunt Sarah. Children who had been
wearing their first pair Of trousers when she last
came to New-York were beginning to have serious
love affairs before she the city again She
brought with her the fragrance of the old South
and gazed at Broadway with kind old eyes III
which there was no trace of sophistication.
Her niece received her with open arms. Bred IN
the North herself, she realized TO the tul the
sacredness of the tradition of her mothers people
Aunt Sarah was welcome, and Aunt Sarahs op-
servations life as she had found it were re-
ceived with respectful attention
And what" inquired the aged woman. are your
preparations for Christmas?
Thus attacked in her most vulnerable point uae
New-York woman aired her grievances. She had
no money wherewith purchase fine presents and
she would not, of course, send cheap ones.
why not?" demanded Aunt Sarah calmly. Her
niece stared and explained that it was better to
give nothing at all than to give something shoddy
..I have no talent" said She for making fancy
things 1 cannot embroder. and If 1 could DO 1t
well enough I have not the time 1 should have
TO buy cheap things in the shops
Aunt Sarah sewed quietly on; she was placid
dame and had lived many years in ignorance of
the fact that she had good deal Of strength OF
character. She did not belong to an interpretive
age
In the South" she said, I'VE give our best, what
ever that may happen to be. I should think cook
as good as you would be able to supply all your
friends with dainty rernembrances at Christmas.
Her niece called attention 10 the fact that al
her friends were amply supplied with 1000 and
that number Of them lived at first class hotels
Poor things!' murmured Aunt Sarah meaning
doubtless, the hotel dwellers and supsoed- She
was not a meddlesome person.
But the seed thus took root IN the New
York woman's mind. She remembered the woman
who was crazy over those tiny cookies; she always
made a point of serving them whenever that par
fjcuIar friend came to meal There was another
Who demanded chocolate cake whenever she crossed
The tSreshold And the old lady from New-England,
who lived the hotel, had declared taI her H!Ice
pies were the only bright spot In New-fork. why
Aunt sarah when the subject called to her
attention famed the flame . ,
IN my srlhood," she said, we USED 70 Seiiu
good things to eat with cards. to our friends IN
fhe neigh 1t is custom, am gao 10 Say
which does not die out as rapioiy as d soOd d S few
flowers we think is quite sutcient dor one "o4li
to send to another It is no DOUBT dlteTent IN new
York I am only telling you what we 90 at nome;
So the woman who had no money, put coulo CooFA
set herself work. The day before Shrlstnas W.
busv indeed but when Christmas came sne .9 iie
tbe ma teriaI for dozen dainty parcels neatly ueo
each ornamented with spray OF holIy. , or
n u,as the most successful Christmas sIs ever
II, E1roro every side came little notes Of thanks
vorded with an enthusiasm which was ooVlousiS
far from perfunctory. ~ $3.50, - b.5 coolies
e,on9h at one time in my life. Yours are tne oest
on earth and an ashamed to ten you nov Ea1g IHrn
onother came: ''I was the recipient OF oIanioiI
ring pearl brooch, par OF Soiu, oPeta "a
ore ~ real low over that glorious chocolate cake
than over all the rest put toSether-