The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-23

is that l am still just a child about Christ mas with all of it's beautiful sentiment, and it's Peace on Earth, Good Will To- ward Men, refrain ringing in the airi And see! am still distributing gifts, to-" said the heroine of my little story yester- day afternoon, as she stood-this pretty, dainty girl, for she's nothing more now in a plain, stylish, tailored gown and hobby black and white bonnet, the rain drops glistening in her hair, and her cheeks aglow with life and happiness and enthusiasm, her arms filled with bundles, reminders of her Christmas shopping.
 i've been buying my Christmas Dol ies," she said, as she deposited an arm full of dolls and toys on a nearby chair. "These are for the little girls and boys, the little orphans in whatever place I happen to be playing on Christmas Day. This year it will be Atlanta, and the greatest joy shall experience during the Yuetide season Is giving those dear lit- tie people who have no parents and none to love them or think of them."
 "You see," she said as her eyes sudden ly filled with tears, "I know what 1t Is to be away from home and all those you love so dearly at this Joyous season. It makes my heart ache to think of my dear mother and father and little brother, way out in the west. It's pretty hard, isn't it, this troopin' about at Christmas time, when everybody should have their loved ones about them?'
 Like sunshine after the storm. the pretty little "star" dashed away a tear and said:
 See, this dollie is my very own. His name is Bobs Montgomery. Why Bobs7 Because his hair is bobbed, and Montgom- ery-wel, I bought him in Montgomery. that's the best reason I have for the name. And by the way, speaking of dolls, let me tell you a clever little Christmas story. There was dear little tot whom Santa Claus had brought the biggest, darlingest, lovliest doll and she broke it just the very day after Christmas. She played like it was sicl-ohl very sick. and | she sent for the Doll Doctor. He came l and prescribed a pill. She told her mother all about 1t after the doctor left. Her mother said
 l" Is she better since she took it?'
 |" She touln't swallow the pill. She touldn't even swallow the water. " Then why didn't you try Christian Science on her?' asked the mother, who was herself a Scientist.
 ' I did, said the little tot an-an'-- she touldn't swallow that D
 ''It strikes me that in spite of your success on the stage, you shouldn't be there-you seem so fond of dolls and children and your home, and all that sort of thing" I suggested presently
 "Oh, l love babies-and dollies-and all those things" Miss Clayton said "Of course, l do-what woman doesn't? And never meant to be an actress I had great beautiful ideas about how I should get married and darn socks and have a home all of my own-but somehow things didn't turn out that way-and so here I am, doing my little best, and people say I am successful. That's nice, of course. but 1t isn't home and at Christmas. some how. you sort of feel the need of such things more than at any other time don't you think so?''
 "There's always some good luck for all of us." I remarked. Sometimes it comes early-sometimes late-but God didn't mean for any person to get all the good things of life. I think it was meant that everyone should work for what he gets. and if he stays by it he shall not have striven in vain!"
 There's deep, deep satisfaction in that to me- said Miss Clayton, reflec- lively. ''rhe mere fact that we women must earn our livelihood makes women of us nine times out of ten"
 But
 Here we were-almost at Christmas eve-gettng deep into serious topics-into the philosophy of life and living-into an analytical discussion of sociology and parenthood and religion-and we almost launched some so-disant ideas and ideals. when with her keen sense of hu- nor Miss Clayton saved the day by say ing:
 ''When the little tin gods go-it's time for Santa Claus to come i'm So, here's hoping hell be mighty good to you"
 
 Alvin Ernest Belden requests the honor of your presence at his musicale Miss Myra Olive. soprano Miss Lotta Belden, piano-Thursday, December 2s, 230 D. m., 1909 Thirteenth street, south.