The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-20

and where the cards are blank write my
name. I will write your name on the
presents intended for you-they will be
in the basket too. Don't tell anybody.
viii your?
The compact of secrecy and perform
ance was very willingly made.
So Christmas eve came to little Ruth,
as happy as many of US who hope too
much in fashioning our own future. Inc
sweet but inexperienced little optimist
had dreamed to strew her thorny path
way with paper flowers to be mistaken
in the haste of others as the genuine and
real.
Are we perforce driven to the refuge
of aSylums for the insane to witness the
pageantry of tinsel and scepters and robes
and crowns that decorate mock mon
archs ruling realm of dreams?
Thus assured that she would not be
Inundated by braggart and notorious
neglect she was at the church, pretty
and lovable in a gown good enough Tor
its second Christmas; as for her straw
hat, its unreasonable prominence retired
to her lap out of public view.
That evening Santa Claus was at his
best the wag of the town, whose elocu-
ton, under further training in voice Gull
ture, promised for him a glorious future
as a congressman or an auctioneer. HIS
makeup, antics and SIDE remarks com
manded generous applause. On reading
the name attached to a present he could
bv the X-ray of his mental vision see
lover, sweetheart or friend Who SOLD
eggs to buy it. Laughter was con-
tagious the distributors of packages
| were on the run, and everything was
movement and happiness.
Somehow it seemed that Blanche en-
ployed the majority of the pages VINO
were assigned to hand the articles
around. The aisle to her seat was most
trodden. and the space about her the
most packed with presents. Her name
rarely ceased to echo in the devils cor
ner before it rose again to testify at the
mourner's bench.
| Finally the cargo was distributed. the
last trinket sent forth to some dear one
remembered, God be with you till Wa
meet again sung, and the benedictior
pronounced
After brief visiting usual on such oc
casions, the people commenced to move
away, all but Ruth who still retained
her seat in an inconspicuous pew neal
the wall aisle
Until then it had not been discovered
her name had not been spoken In tn
church that merry Christmas eve.
The kind hearts of the women Wer
panied and the good men chagr1ned no
to have thought of her A nlckefs valu
in a sack of candy would have save
them from their self INDUCED disgrace
Many women fastened to her wit
the sweet charity of apologies, but-to'
|, late!
The dear little heart was still It ha
to have heard it snap. All were to
: we'll occupied to have heard her littl
moan, if it be not libel to dream tina
4 pride would emit a moan
Ruth was dead.
People are not so Indifferent about tn
: happiness of others as one would thini
. Judging from the manifestation of sym
= pathy there expressed after the chill
had died in utter neglect. starved t
a death for a bauble. heart broken for tn
: salve of remembrance
; Fairly rich men present would hav
pledged half their fortunes IN token {
: kindness for the neglected child had on
:. premonition warned them of tn
i tragedy.
And yet other holidays will come
If them needless of the anguish possible
L tender hearts forgotten in the cers
. lnonial noise of laundering to the publ
q the huge Importance of petty gifts.
: Ruth's death would seem suf1cieI
re reprimand. The simple pain to wounde
~ pride acquired by oversight ought
IF annuI the pleasure of those remembel
1, ed and touch to larger charity Il