Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-18

and there. especially that one which
reads-"Old wood to burn. old wine to
drink. old friends to trust. old books to
read"-offer great temptation for the
booklover to loiter in the sacred pre-
cincts. Here it was said that already
more religious books had been sold for
gifts this year than ever before.
A Ight-haired, dirninutive girl asked
for a certain annual book. The sales girl
hustled around among the children's
books and brought forth a gayly Illus
trated one that had been having quite
a sale.
Yes. this is it. You may send it out
for me-" She leaned confidentially toward
the clerk-'You know I'm going to put
1t with my husbands things-he loves
animals and children and he's a perfect
kid anyway"
AS she fiuttered away the clerk turned
to the Christmas Shopper
They're both couple of kids. 1 guess
she said, with smile that was good to
see.
Up in the grocery department of one of
the stores plenty Of life and light and
good things prevail And, Of course, even
out its amusing incidents.
Can get any brandy here?" one
young Would-be purchaser of the fiery
water asked. Il want it just for flavor
Ing, of course" she added with a blush.
Il understand" answered the clerk, his
eyes twinkling. But I'm sorry to say
we do not keep it. You see we'd have
to carry pretty big license. and besides,
l don't believe Mr.. would sanction
it even in fruit cake
Il had funny experience the other
morning said the rosy-cheeked little
demonstrator at the coffee booth. as the
Christmas Shopper slipped a cup of the
beverage the hospitable matron had given
her. Il hadn't even taken off my hat
and coat when an old man came up and
asked for cup Of coffee. L have not
made any yet I said, but if you will
wait few moments will have it ready
No, indeed, I've waited long enough
already he replied rather gruffly, what's
the use of coffee anyway IL one can't get
1t early In the morning, I'd like to know
And before could say anything more
he was of in a hurry. I was sorry he
didn't wait-perhaps the old fellow really
needed it, for it was a dark, chilly day
ana his oVercoat was very shabby
-
Most of the people who buy furs for
Christmas are the practical kind,
young lady in furrier's establishment
explained. But now and then we do got
some side lights on the private lives of
our customers. For instance, one pretty
girl came in the other day and said her
fance was going to give her a fiftv-do,,ar
lynx set and that she wanted to select It
ana pay deposit. Accordingly I laid
aside most becoming set and She went
away pissfully happy. The next morn
ing she was back and wanted her de-
post returned, as her aunt had positively
forbidden her to accept furs from q man.
she was the most disappointed girl
imaginable. SO told her that furs were
wife or sweetheart, and as she was to be
married SO soon 1 didn't think that
Madame Grundy had even a peg on
which to hang her objections. AS re-
to coax her aunt around to our way of
thinking. AS she hasn't been back since
l guess she succeeded and that she will
soon be the delighted possessor of a
mighty good-looking set of furs.'
Won't you buy some Red Cross
stamps?''
There was a most winning note in the
voice, SO the Christmas Shopper hesitated.
"Why, yes. certainly 1 will take a pack
age she said, smiling into the very
charming face under plumed alice blue
hat. You seem to be doing a flourish
ing business" she ventured. noticing that
the other young lady. who was also de-
voting her time to selling stamps for
sweet charity's sake. was busy. too.
Indeed we are" answered the girl, en-
Enthusiastically. Throughout the city we
are taking in on an average OF 500
day; right here We sell at least $40
WORTH She added. proudly. AS she spoke
a woman passing by dropped fifty-cent
piece into the box without even waiting
for her value received" in stamps.
3 During the day you evidently see many
examples of the true Christmas spirit, do
you not?'
II should say so! Everybody has been
perfectly lovely to u.s. the girl muir
INJURED: then to a sweet-faced old lady,
mo, we cannot charge the stamps-you
see, the proceeds go direct to the Red
Cross Society, so that no record Is made
in the firms books at ALL Whereupon
the old lady made a generous cash dona-
ton to the cause, tucked her stamps into
her purse and mingled with the throng.
Its strange how many people want
to have them charged. And considering
stamps. YOU would be astonished to know
how many people act as If they mad
never heard Of them. On the other
hand, we sometimes find those whom we
thing about them are not only as we'll
but better informed on the subject than
we are ourselves. In fact, the other DAY
a colOred woman to whom l had most
explicitly explained IHdI tHcSc SldMpS
were put out to aid consumptives treated
me to as learned dissertation on tuber-
culosis-not consumption, mind you-as l
have ever heard.
Wont you buy some Red Cross
stamps. please?' A nice-looking. mid
dle-aged man doomed into sight, and my
lady Of the plumes spotted him for her
willing prey.
mo. 1 don't care for any!' he re-
sponded briefly.
But you bought so many from me last
year, The girl looked at him with
large hurt eyes; the man suddenly stop
ped, glanced into the speakers face, and
his own lighted up.
''Why, to be sure did. Have you one
hundred to spare?"
LAS many you want" laughed the |
girl happily. "I didn't think you would |
fail me this year." |
The man, pocketing the stamps, smiled |
a kind, fatherly smile.
II will be in again to see how you are |
getting on" he said land good luck to
merry Christmas!'
When he was out of hearing the Christ |
mas Shopper said:
You have tact, my dear; no wonder
you can SELL"
"Well, anyhow, 1 did remember him."
she answered as-another man approached
her.
Red Cross stamps!'
Where's the elevator" This grufay.
did you say you wished some Red
Cross stamps?" This sweetly.
where's the elevator. miss?" Still
more grizzly. Little Miss Charity's eyes
flashed saucily.
Three aisles to the left Then she