Evening journal., 1902-12-20

anu III nDtiit Anct@AA1Nnf NntAA III tAhfI't
The old people-and everybody who
had passed thirty was old-sat around
the fire and drank copious potations OF
applejack. Even the preachers were
Included, and to have the spiritual adj
wiser pay the home "A visit without
jug OF juice from the local stil was
considered discourtesy that caused
adverse comment How fortunate
those preachers CT the oldm time were
not that they were introduced to so
many brands Of the delectable juice of
the apple-ibut because they were the
recipients OF such uniform courtesy
But the children were not allowed TO
plaN since Christmas was holy day |
and merriment was regarded as un-
seemly. AS for toys. there were very |
few; the old Puritan ideas. which were |
not confined TO New England. still held
sway. So IL was a rather barren day |
for the youngsters who were destined
to be honored in time by becoming our |
grandfathers. Perhaps they bided |
their time, awaiting the day when they
should reach the applejack age. But
the elders were mirthful in a way, and
often played little jokes on their chill
dren, which were hugely enjoyed-by
the elders. Perhaps the children would
be encouraged to hang up their stock
lings, and in the early morning would
come tip-toeing down the stairs TO see
the prizes they had received. Inn
agine the humor of the situation when
they found naught but switches in
their stockings. 1t Is said that the
children OF those days failed TO see the
Joke, which shows that they were lack
ing in a sense of humor.
We have heard one veteran of those
glorious days tell of an experience.
During the year he had been saving his
ccpper pennies for some purpose, and
in all that time had not spent one. His
total income was measured by his
hoard. AT Christmas time he had
.ltwenty-fou pennies in all, two for
every month in the yenr. He was en-
comraged TO hang up his stocking, and
did so, going to bed to dream Of price
less wealth that would be his in the
morning. Before the sum came up
over the trees he slipped down, and
sure enough there was something In the
stockingl II meant as much to him as
la paying streak OF ore does to the des-
pairing miner dic seized the stocking
there was money in itl He emptied
il out on the floor and sat down to
count It. There we're tWenty-four cop
per pennies Then in bare feet ne
trudged up stairs. and looked in the
, little chest where he kept his treasure.
| lIt was gone; robbery had been joined
to deception. IL was joke, and part
of its purpose was TO teach the boy
humility. Certainly it must have had
its effect.
This brings to mind another story.
There was a boy whose parents were
foolish enough to imagine that children
should have a joyous time on Christ
| mas, and who encouraged a spirit OF
giving. Wen, this boy wanted to pre-
sent his mother with a writing desk,
so he mentioned the matter to his
r father, who gave him all encourage
ment. Together they went into a store
and the father and the proprietor held
) n whispered conversation. Then the
boy picked out his desk, and a great
= bargain he thought It. II was sixty
three cents, an odd price. but strange
e to say the boy had just that amount
1 so he took the desk home and was
h greatly pleased to see his mothers JOY
: on Christmas morning. But there was
& a serpent in the room that day In the
y form of prominent citizen. He
n watched diligently for that little boy
o and soon found him. Then he said
h John did you buy that desl?" "Yes, =
d proudly answered the boy "Oh, no
a YOU didn't" said the prominent citi-
l. zen. "That desk cost four dollars
Is YOU paid what you had, and you'
is father made up the rest. You onl!
thought you bought it." Then tn
e yirtuous man chucl0led in his mirtl
"a and hugged himself, but the boy-well
IL he was henrt-broken OF course, but
I'D humbled his spirit and taught him Z
~ be meek.
he Things are very different nowi than
at God they arel We may go 70 the othe
tn extreme, making the day an occasio
S, for giving all the Joy and happines
he possible to those who will be youn
S, but once, and who were the object
ON all tenderness and solicitude of Hii
Of whose birthday we celebrate. But tn
lot children are happier, and so are w
and that should satisfy us for the pre-
ent.