Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-12-20
The Reforming of Mother.
May Ellis Nichols, i'm Tho Housekcepcr.


family made out their, Christmas
lists. 1.-THE feast Of 81. List" sixteen
year-old Margaret called it, and saw
to it that the family faithfully observ-
ed its sacred rites.
These lists were not lists Of the
presents they were to give their
| friends; far from it. On the con-
trary, each one wrote down what he
wanted for himself Indeed, it was
understood that the record should be
as true and complete as if sworn to
| with uplifted hand, and ended with
| this solemn statements: "This is the
true and complete list Of the things
| desire for Christmas" In accord
| ance with this declaration, it was a
family pleasantly to begin with the
most eXtravagant desires and to pro-
gress to those within reason and the
family purse. TO illustrates: Mr.. Hall
began with a touring car and ended
with cake Of shaving soap.
After the children were all in bed,
Mrs. Hall sat at the library table and
read the lists. 1t was understood
that no one expected to receive every
thing he asked for, and all would be
grateful for whatever they received;
but as the mother studied the records
of wants, she knew just what hopes
and desires had prompted them.
She knew, Of course, that Eleanor
did not expect that their cottage
piano would be exchanged for the
baby grand with which she headed
her column, but she felt sure that
the girl did hope she would receive
the pony coat, which stood next in
order. She was just as certain that
Margaret, who had begun with "a
jeweled watch" which was quite out
| Of the question, felt in her heart that
she needed and deserved a new party
gown. Twelve-year-old Rob's Joke
was a motor boat, and after that came
"a double-runner like Dick Bel
don's.' Now Rob knew exactly what
double-runner like Dick Beldon's
would costa goodly sum to pay for
boys plaything, but he was getting
TO be big boy and he did not ask
for "a lot Of small truck, as the kids
did" If he got his double-runner he
would be satisfied. Then there were
the printed lists Of the two little boys
Jack and AleX-the mother smiled
as she read them-lead soldiers and
l.
should have everything they wanted.
And last Of all, in fathers familiar
scrawl, the list for baby Joy-her
name was really Mary, for her mo-
ther. but she had been "Joy" to the
Hall family ever since the day she
was born, when she almost decided
not to stay with them, but, to their
great joy, reconsidered. Baby Joys
list read: 81 want new dolly. This
is my true and complete list. Mary
(Joy) Hall" Then followed a spo.
of ink, and after it: "Her mark"
Mrs. Hall sighed as she took up the
pen to make out her own list. "a
| diamond necklace" she wrote me
hdI uldlIlOlu necklace
had headed her list for five years
Then she stopped and a humorous
look came into her dark eyes. 81
wonder what they would say if I
should really make out a TRUE and
| COMPLETE list" she mused "Queer
how children never dream that their
mothers care for the same things "a
they do. Peggy, now, so fond OF
pretty clothes, doesn't seem to think
| that I care what | wear, yet at her
age l was as fond Of dress as she Is.
and even now" She glanced dt
herself In the glass, "Why, Mary
Hall, I'm ashamed Of you" she said
and blushed at her image.
1t needed just that touch OF color
to make the slim-dark-eyed woman in
the glass, with the wavy dark hair
untouched as yet with white, look al
most the girl she had been twenty
years before. If she had not been a
very modest little woman. she would
have added, "And now I would be.
come pretty clothes as we'll as she
does What she did say was, "I be-
lieye I will make out true list.
am tired Of doing without: should
like to have" She sat with her
pen to her lips and considered. Then
she drew It through the diamond
necklace. II don't want that, but
feel SO cold this winter, I should like:
81. One fur coat. Q. a gray silk
gown, made by Madam le Grande