Smyrna times., 1907-01-02
SMYRNA VIEWS RECALL HAPPY DAYS
Thomas s. Start Becomes Reminiscent Upon
the Receipt Of Pictures of Smyrna Scenes
at His Home In New York City.

New YORK, Dec. 26:-On Christmas
morning Santa Claus left a package
for homesick Smyrna boy whom fate
had chained to the city. No more well
come gift could have been sent. A
note was enclosed in the package.
The note ran thus: "Knowing your
love for the old home, 1 send you, as a
remembrance, some pictures of scenes
that L feel assured you will ENJOY gaz-
ing upon" My friend knew the way
to the heart of q city dweller. I
grouped the pictures and hung them
up In my room, near picture of a
scene painted by friend many years
ago. This scene was sketched from a
boat on Como, and when I get home
sick it helps to cure me. There is a
field of golden wheat, ready for the
reapers, that reaches to the very edge
of Como's shore. There stands the
Twin Trees" under whose shade I
have sat many Saturday afternoons
and tried to tempt the silver and golden
robed denizens of the lake to bite at
nice fat worm on a not so harmless
hook. These trees throw a shadow
out on the lake that is admirably
caught and painted in the picture.
Far to the north is the italian blue of
summer sky, this sky being dainty
background against which are artisti-
cally drawn trees, the school house
and the steeple of the Methodist
Church. This sketch is so true that a
friend of mine from home recognized
the scene at first glance.
Christmas Morning In Smyrna Long Ago.
In one of the photos sent me is the
M. E. Church. see a Christmas
morning out of the long ago. The
King of the North had robed the town
in garment of white, the trees, as you
gazed on them in the uncertain light
OF early morning, looking like ghosts,
trees, where here aud there a great
wreath of snow hung on their boughs.
The bell in the steeple chimes forth a
peal of welcome, and soon down every
street leading to the house of worship,
come sanity men and women. 1t was
the Christmas morning prayer meeting,
and there men and women were gather
ing to celebrate the birth of the Babe
of Bethlehem, whom they loved and
! triad O q naor q q fha,y ooplI - - I,l-o =,
simplicity and goodness. What q
glorious meeting they attended this
Christmas morning around the 'Great
White Throne" because those that we
saw that Christmas morning are gone
to their glorious and never ending re-
ward. What goodness and sweetness
those men and women carried with
them and how many blessings they
scattered, like flowers, whenever they
passed. Yes, they are gone, but the
world is better because they lived. 1
remember well one Christmas. 1t was
the custom in those days to sing carols
early in the morning. Four boys were
standing at Delaware and Mt. Vernon
streets, singing carols to dear and
brave man, who for many years hac
not been able to leave his chair il
which he spent his days and nights
We loved him very dearly, as he Otter
sent us music, and was ever delighted
to encourage JUS in our boyish ambi
tions, and give us brotherly advice
He always enjoyed those Christina
morning serenades, and told us neve
to forget him, and we never did Thi
morning as we sang, three figures
came down the street and stopped unit
we had finished. They were Mr.. anC
Mrs. William Nelson, and dear old
"Aunty" Jones. "Aunty," as ever
one addressed her. came over to u
and said in her gentle way: "Boys, j
was beautiful, beautiful" Then thos
three godly people went down th
street in early morning light and en-
tered the church.
, Memorable Scenes Enacted at "Four Corners
Here is picture of the ''Four Cor
ners." What memories sweep owe
one as you gaze upon 1t. remembe
: seeing CAP Cummins run agains
time around the corners" He wa
SO fat at that time he could hardl
walk, but he put up great effort an
won his bet. Over there on box ss
our "brave clerk" that night when W
saw the "ghost" at the cemetery. An
| other night the Hon. Thomas +
: Bayard made speech from the pla
form, and few nights after Richar
, Harrington, Esq, the silver tongu
Delaware boy, held his audience III
a der the spell of his wonderful powers
{; Hon. George Massey spoke the sam
: night, and also the Hon. Nathani'
} Smithers, while the band filled ii
4 o-..x,., x,c,ht NTH malndv On al