Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-12-18
GOING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
a Sentiment that Stirs the Best
Thoughts inst Now.
WHO CAN RESIST THE CALF
Longing of Wanderers Takes De-
Ccmbcr Grip that Few Can Sue
ccssfuIly BcEist--Joys OF
Homc-CominR.

81 want to so home for Christmas"
In these brief homcly words is per
maps crystallized more Of the genuine hon-
day spirit than in any other phrase by
which man refers to the greatest OF all
holidays.
Il want to so home for Christmas"
1t Is the desire to get back 70 the OLD
family headquarters that starts study
OF the calendar early in December,
The worlds business is materially AZ
fected by this sentiment, one OF the most
beautiful that could exist, and one which
is general Il is sincere.
II want to go home for Christmas"
They ell say a.
J The millionaire merchant, who has made
his fortune in the city. ana who rarely has
the time to run Up to the farm TO sec the
old folks, gets terrible attack Of g.
He has not through year been un-
mindful OF his Obligation to the old. folks
| or lacking in expressions Of affection to
| them Constantly they have had tangible
evidence of his affection for them in the
| shape OF gifts. But he has excused Sim
self for not going home by making the
excuse of the pressure on his time
But when Christmas comes the other
| things can so hang. He may not have had
| time in the other months but come what
may he Il going 20 see the old house, with
| its vines growing around Il. the grape arbor.
its sloping roof, Its little window panes
| the pump the best room, with its stiff
green chairs all over in apple pie order.
Dreams of Anticipation.
He can shut his eyes and anticipate his
| arrival, when the carriage comes around
the wide sweeping turn Of the old road.
| lie can see standing in the doorway the
bent form OF his father, the sweet face OF
| his mother, both Of them waiting with
trembling anxiety lest something might
have happened to prevent his coming.
Then Mr. Millionaire Merchant drops the
| train of thought, and suddenly gets very
gruff. He's afraid II he continues the train
OF though he may give way TO something
not unlike tears, which wouldn't do In
the presence of his clerks.
| or course he wants to 60 for Christ
mas has a habit of making boys out OF
all the grown-ups again, and what may
have been dragged from the big city in
the way Of material triumphs looks very
small unimportant, artificial compared to
the JOY Of seeing once again the place of
boyhood pleasures and shaking hands with
a lot Of the old frienda
Il want to go home for ChristnaH"
The travelling men set the fever.
During large part of the year thsy ara
happy in their migratory life, wandering
from place to place in search OF business
"for the home"
Bnt about the time there is only ons
more lear to be torn off the monthly cal.
endar they begin to make all kinds of YnyS-
terlous calculations
The carefully prepared routes that have
been worked out in advance with axnert
knowledge of where business is rnoat uItaI,,
to be found, and how the transit from point
to point can be arranged with a minimum,
OF outlay suddenly undergoes all sorts OF
unexpected changes
me drummer can find a thousand rea-
sons why his route should be chAnRed 20
take him in directions in which he never
expected to go.
Same old Plant.
But Its all right. It's easily expIaIned
he was merely victim to the same COM
plant that has seized his millionaire EN-
ployer back there in the big city. He sim.
ply wants to go home.
There's Mary and the kids.
Fine Christmas II would be away fron
the bunch of them. Maybe he's been n
bit OF a sport through the remainder Of the
year Perhaps he's figured in an occasion
ally lively incident that might well have
been cut He's not exactly conscious
stricken, but all the pleasures of the road
shink into unimportance at the holiday
time when weighed against Mary and the
| little ones.
So at big expense TO himself and his en-
ployer he makes the jump he gets home
Tor the holiday, and Mary, himself and the
babies have their happlest time.
hn
away from the country to find better OBJ
portunities in the city what that Christ
mas homecoming means to them!
They have planned for It for weeks. The
train that carries them hasn't been able
to axe the trip in quick enough time and
the home cooking, the big turkey. the old
fashioned mince pie for dessert. nothing
ever tasted so good.
Something IN the home coming makes a
SAVIOR that adds 70 the richness OF every
thing.
want to go home for Christmas.
Lots Of people get the desire who can't
indulge It. Some of them haven't got
homes, or perhaps the old folks whose
presence gave the home it's charm have
passed away, and let the Homestead go
into other keeping.
Oftentmes the money for the journey
is not at hand, and the only thing TO do
Is to keep stiff upper lip, and try to put
aside thoughts OF the place that Is max
ing its strong appeal.
Il want to 80 home for Christmas"
How many soldier boy and sailor. far
off in some other part OF the world repre-
senting the interests Of the nation, have
longingly said this on the holiday that
should be the merriest OF them ALL
The man who wants to 90 home, has a
home to go to, and the money and time
70 get there is the luckest Of all at this
season Of the year, but even the fellow
who cant get there is better off for the
wish.