The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-27
Beautiful Custom in Theory,
But Oftimes Done as
a Duty.
NOT NECESSARY
TO SEND GIFTS
Making Presents for Policy Sake
Also Much Indulg-
ed In.

Christmas is supposed 10 be the sea-
son when from sheer joy in the holt
days Significance and from consuming
love of our friends we burst into pres
ent-giving as an apple-tres into bloom
IN the spring. There is, it Is perfectly
understood, no coercion in this giving; Il
is a beautiful. spontaneous expression OF
affection and gratitude.
SO much for the theory. As an illus
tration OF the practice, I must relate
that came upon Anne yesterday poring
over a piece Of paper. her brow CORFU
gated in way that would have en-
ragged her masseuse.
How row, Amer I asked.
II am making out my Christmas list. "
replied Anne, and relapsed into silence
sat down and opened a book. and
after q long time. spent apparently in
counting. my friend spoke again.
There are sixteen names on It," she
said. Il am sure 1t was not that long
last year. Sixteen people, my dear, TO
whom 10 give presents. Was ever wom-
an so beset with friends?'
why don't you cut 1t down 20 those
70 whom IL is absolutely necessary that
you gtveI'' I inquired with feminine
readiness to advise concerning things
about which the adviser knows nothing.
1T IS cut down." returned Anne i'm
patiently. What do you think I've
been pOring over the thing these two
hours for II not to cut it down? It IS
pared so close that 1 find Aunt Kate is
left out. and last year she gave me a
lovely m-m-m-m-'' The remainder was
lost 10 my ear as Anne placed Aunt
Kate l. her rightful position among the
relatives.
she makes seventeen" remarked
Anne. presently. and sighed a long. long
sigh.
T hope my name is not among those
present" I observed.
Scratching a Name.
IT love 70 give 10 you. darling" said
Anne. and erased something from the
list. Il am Just taking OF sara Crew, %
she explained. 1T isn't really neces-
sary that I should give TO her. The
bridge set she gave me last year was
as much prize as it was Christmas
present.
THAT relieves the situation some
what"
Later I came upon a masculine friend
apparently meditatnE suicide, SO sor-
roWful Gid he look. whats the mat
teri" 7 asked.
Matter enough he replied testify.
81 want 20 go away Tor little Vacd-
ton for I am dog-tired. but have just
remembered that Christmas IS coming
and 1 will need all the money that
should 60 to procuring me rest and a
change Of scene for Christmas giIts.
why 90 you give presents IT you
feel that way about it?' 1 asked.
IT'S the custom. isn't II? 1 could
hardly do anything else" he replied.
I'm mighty glad I'm not on your
list. for / should hate 70 think the
pairs of gloves. say, that you gave me
represented so much fresh air OF rest
you should have had, 1 replied
'sOb well. when the festal season Is
over and all the silver and sash ribbons
are presented. and I have had time 10
take a reckoning. perhaps / shau nnd
there is still enough substance leIL 10
buy me a short trip said the mans
and as I left the room could hear MIN
lighting his pipe. and between puIlS
saying. -Four and four are eight anu
two are ten, and FIVE are fifteen -
and I am not sure whether he was
counting dollars or relatives.
Just Bought Present.
It was the next day that I met an
other man OF my acquaintance on the
street
IT have just bought my Christmas
present" ne said.
let me see the worm the early bird
caught" said L
IT s at the leWeief = DcLliS AlsNiAVls
but Il is 'spem' pretty" he returned
ITS a bracelet. jewel-crusted, and is
for Edith. / certainly am glad I've
5Eished my Christmas shopping.
FINISHED" he repeated. I always
give mother a check and that's all do.
I can't be bothered buying a lot OF
things. It takes away The Joy Of the
occasion, IF anyone gives me a present
I say thank you, MN to the donor
very prettily, and the next year she
does not give me anything To my mind
this pTesent-giving Is carried to the
most outrageous length. It was never
intended that any living creature should
bee worked to death for weeks before
the holiday, and Impoverished for weeks
Rfterward, TO give TO people they don't
care q hang about. / believe in being
independent In this, as in most things,
and in not allowing custom 70 take one
BY the throat and make him do what
he doesn't wish. I give to the two
persons / love best and to no one else
Il glory IN your determination" said
I. but I said Il feebly. and then I went
home and began to work like mad on
the presents I am going to give my
cousins TO the third and fourth genera