The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-12
EVENING CHAT
~ RUM CAMERON

Molly, the little stenographer lady, had
stopped in the way from town to snow
US some of her Christmas purchases
Said the authorman's wife after Molly
had departed with her armful Of bundles
Il should think that Molly would like TO
make some things instead of buying all
her gifts. One always feels as if there
were so much more love and personal
thought in a gift anyone has taken the
time and trouble to make
why, you know perfectly well that
Molly has to help much at home, that
she has very little time, and anyway, she
doesn't like to use her eyes in the even
ing" retorted the ladyIwhsos-al" ,lS,,
people who are always talking about gllts
that are made representing more love ana
thought than gifts that are bought; MIKE
me cross. How much time does II take
YOU to make one of those little SILK pags
Perhaps an afternoon if you sit right
down to it. Well then, you know Molly
doesn't earn very much and If she pays
fifty cents for a gift, that means nearly
a half days work for her or course sne
is working through the medium OF type
writer, instead of directly on the. GIT,
but I can't see that that makes IL any
less labor of love
quote the y-who-aiways-kn
somehow with elee because she has pune
tured a thesis, which has always mace
me indignant.
To saw that because one works to earn
the money to buy gift, instead OF WORK
ing directly to make it, the gift represents
any less love, thought, and effort mas al
ways seemed nonsense to me-
Is If really any less of an effort 10 SIT
down with a group of friends and lauSh
and chatter over some dainty ana atIac-
tive bit of work, than to pound type
writer. or stand behind a counter, or ad-
dress envelopes for several weary hours
at a stretch2
A letter friend has reminder for you;
s.,There is one thing you have not sald
a word about yet. and that is Christmas
for our friends in the asylums- Not that
they are forgotten, but they may not pe
remembered in a way benetclal 10 tneii-
The best way is to visit such Iriehu,
find ont what his condition is, and what
he would most appreciate, or what Wouiu
do him the most good And II Is Wen 70
remember that what he used to IKE, ne
NAV no longer notice, especially II ne IS
not improving. The only way to mo our
is to visit him. The asylum 1olKs nave
NOT time to ascertain such thlngS ana re-
mort 10 friends or relatives. Much time,
thought and money may be wasted IN
selecting things patient may 70 lo ls,s,5
him the thing that will brighten, II only
for an instant, the existence ne endures-
He may no longer care Ior DOOAs az sol,le
lures but for fruit, candy nuts or some
thing to eat and it would be well to
send q little box of such dainues, enough
for a little lunch for one or TWO Gays
and Mace the balance of the money, that
would be otherwise expended, TO ms
credit to be used to get him fruit ana
I
cheer him by visiting him and at the
same time see what he may need IN the
way of clothing to make him more COM
Portable" .s.,-
The writer Of this reminder evidently
Preferred to people in the insane asylums,
but her words could apply equally wen
to any inmate of any kind of home or
asylum -. -,
And if you do not number any such IN
fort11nates among your friends, may 1
! suggest that you adopt some2
Christmas is above all things the res
Wherefore it must be an especially cruel
time to those whose lack OF nome II
emphasizes. $4,000 ..-,,, -, han
Surely your own Christmas VIII be nap.
| pier if you seek out some OF these, anu
| bring them what you can OF good cheer.
DO not say you do not know where 20
find such people In every town Is an
! aImshouse In almost every town IS an
/ old folks home and few indeed are the
| communities which have not besides
these some other asylum, hospltal VI
Rome which presents all too fertile a field
/ for such kindness.