The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1912-12-19
(,,.IInISTMhS With The
TOIlERs OF the SEA
yASDLJRBERS that you are, dlu ~"

eyer reflect that there is a Worlu
4 where Christmas is as meaning
[A--6 less a day as the G4th or @otn
IF December? Did you ever think iar
enough beyond the spicy Vapofs VI
vour own plum pudding to realize tla'
{,,a soafarirs folk were living their
Christmas day as if they knew nauSh'
Of it's fame? They Go know WHAT II
means, however, rs well as ever 90
Won. but winds lash and waves tho1hp
an tho o5th as on every other day, ana
i..s = foolish s:iiorman who COUNTS
o., turkey or holly berries. The chahceS
are he'll see little Of them.
Christmas is d:soDiigl& enough 70
come in the very beginning OF the mad
dest weather. ana the weather never
oivas v0y ore inch. Tie pilotooat
neon!a ana tx, lie savers make pa
tbetic little attempts Ct holding Eoh-
day. but ten 10 one they will be noth'
inr more than attempts. II the sea
chooses to maize merry i'll its own
way tie sea commands and must be
obeyed.
The cantans Of the life saving sta
tinns along the beach try each year TO
celebrate with their men. \ turkey Is
always brought to the headquarters
and q good meal prepared around 1t
IS a star attraction. but anywhere
from dy;,1ne.iy!<s to nuts and raisins
nav come the signal from the coast
guard Perhaps q crab fishing boat
has capszeG: perhaps it is Big SNIP
soiH" foul.--the result is the same
The Christmas turkey is left to grow
cold, tie llii.cc pic is forgotten. ANA
is eff to iauncl. The lifeboat ard then
t. Ia, oars ana away. Night or da.;
the summers may cone. II ut night
there a.e flashing Of lights on tie
beach and :. fight, man against stcTDl,
: il the blac!lness Of the s1lf.
/ On the ii-lltsilip pro; isi1n is made fer
g good dinner, but there the pleasure
ends. Day and night the ship rides at
anchor ten miles of shore. Always the
/ Changing Of The fog bell is heard and
the lights are watched, and break ii
. the n0notony there is none, save for Ii
better Eill Of fare than usual and al
extra glass "f greg. then back TO the
/
-; what Christmas celebrated or that
It was celebrated 1T all.
/ It vas during IL. carving Il lie las;
...ri&ey t.t:it the beds rams, t;e-Cely. Tor
! Fog s.as driving il past tie heads.
anI Iimhts were being enve!0ped in il.
Two new men were among the crew,
! and thcy sIrdn-, frightened, away from
the table The old sailors assured
them that ii was 10 trouble out of the
ordinary, but they could not be iaduc-
Ell 10 come back TO the dinner. They
are blase row and are laughing ut
other new men. but their companions
have hot forgotten to mention the din
her that they missed by gazing shud-
derngly into 4 winter fog and expect
ing the death Of themselves or some
one else every moment.
Christmas is !. lottery to the pilots
Nc man OF them know; when his tur:i
IS coming TO guide Il ship into port. and
ships must ha guided yhen it is Their
captains Will Gone If The pilots may
have q snatch Of he day at home il,
lac midst CT Santa Clans gossip ana
In horns and stuffed stockings. Who
ever the ether pilots may be, they ar7
on the water With 2 good dinner stow
, CT away awaiting its opportunity
which may or may not come. If Il
ship is suddenly sighted. then never
mind the dinner
The life o. the great steamers az
calling vessels il mere eysteasltia. AND
It is worth while 20 prepare for n
much meriiNant ~ tie h6un~ieErn.>