Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-12-23
ORIGINAL SOCIAL CORNER STORY
How Christmas Came to the Corners
By Lucille Drew

Don't know nothin' about your
Scrooge and Marcy" growled Old
Kit. Seems TO me I've heard the
names somewheres, though. but don't
know nothin' about them"
The Dickens you don'tl" retorted
the Thing. We'll. they are the sort
who don't believe in Christmas. They
are the sort with little, mean. stingy
shriveled up souls, who care for no
body but themselves. Taey go to the
hot place. and and my fellows laugh
at their torment"
Old Kit started violently. The stove
was red hot, ard the coffee was boiling
over, spluttering and kissing upon the
fiery lids. but the Thing had disap
peared.
Lovey had arrived home from the
sewing society. and was confiding her
disappointment to the sole com panion
of her freside, Solomon, a big yellow
cat.
Il feel so bad not to have d Christ
mas tree for the dear little children
Solomon Oh. if l was only rich, Sol
omOn."
who's there" family demanded
Lovey, at the bclted door.
Nobody but me. Christopher Pick
ems" answered "A voice. which sounded
nothing al all like the gruff tones Of
old Kit. Don't be afraid. Let me
in, please. want to see you
Miss Lamb" the man said solemn
~. when Lovey had admitted him.
'semethin has happened to me. /
don't know whether it was a dream,
or warnin', or experiencin' relig-
ion. But l want TO tell you I'm
ashamed of myself. tall<in' TO a wo-
man the way | did TO you tonight. !
ought to be took up for il. You go
ahead on your Christmas tree. and
I'll back you. III chop down a tree.
prettiest one I can find. and haul
it TO the meetin' house. I'll carry you
to Waverly to get everything YOU want
to put on it. and III foot the DILL. ev-
Ill -
once in my life. I'm soin' to do some
thin for somebody, OH everybody"
why. Mr.. Pickensi" gasped Lovey.
Needn't cost such an awful sight
though she fastened to encourage
him. Five and ten cent store. you
know. But | do want to do somethin'
better for the minister's folks. ! got
il out of Mis- Elderlxin on the way
home tonight that they was all on EN-
out of winter underwear. and nothin'
to buy with
Fit EN- out. first quality enjoined
Christopher. Don't he need a new
overcoat? ] amt never done much for
the spread of the gospel. SO to speak"
On Christmas eve. the Christmas
tree materialized most successfully
winning the unbOunded admiration and
delight of all the Corner folks. from
the least unto the greatest 1t held
for everybody. both small and great,
a gift appropriate, if inexpensive But
the minister received a handsome over
coat, his wife a silk dress pattern,
ana each of their two little girls A set
of furs, while addressed to the whole
family was a bulky and softly sug
gestiVe bundle. discreetly marked, Not
20 be opened till you get home"
Christopher and Freelove trudged
their homeward way together, in the
middle of the snow-covered road. A
full moon flooded the white world with
splendor.
fnL- Of "a f7xry1.
the midnight clear and angels and
harps of gold
Christopher found Lovey's hand. I'M
der the enveloping Scotch plaid shawl.
You are an angel yourself. Lovey,' he
asserted.
You are q good man. Mr.. Pickens."
she rejoined.
NO, / amt" he denied, but I'm go
in to be. Gold helpin me. If you'll
help me, too. L believe in Christmas"
He said il as though it were a part OF
the Apostles Greed. "'LoVey. / got
YOU "A Christmas present, but l didn't
quite dast TO hang it on the Christmas
tree. It's awful pretty and shiny.
when the light gets on it right 1t cost
most seventy five dollars" he exulted.
When they sat down COMPATIBILITY,
side by side. before the little coal heat
CT in LOveys small sitting room, Chris
topher slipped the sparkling jewel up
on Lovey's tcil-worn finger. Where
upon Solomon. springing upon Chris
topners zap puIred fapturously, ana
clawed ecstatically a leg of Christie
piers new trousers, bought to wear to
the Christmas tree
Beats the Dutch," declared Lovey.
4 never see that cat take to no
man body before. Always runs and
skuIks under the lounge, If one sets
foot in the house. Seems as if it must
bea leadin'
of course it is. my own Lovey
Lamb confirmed Christopher. and
we'll be married on New Years day."