Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1912-12-21
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
WRITTEN BY MISS ESTHER LoNoFELLoW FOR THE christina
PROGRAM GIVEN BY THE SUB ROSA
DEC 18th

| 1t was the week before Christmas
when Mr.. James Crewe 1--WE will cal
him that merely Tor the saks OF con
venience, and not because Of any
real claim to the title) sat musine
before the open fire In his comfort
able living room. The wind was rat
ling the shutters and blowing the
powdery snowflakes hither and thithel
in wild confusion, but Mr.. Crewe pait
no heed to these elements of outward
strife. He was thinking Of the many
blessings which the Lord had seen
fit to bestow upon him. He was q
portly old bachelor with an income
Of about $4,000 per year. He was ths
owner of a comfortable town-houst
and an equally comfortable country
home. He had not been burdened
with the heavy cares Of big fam.
lily and lived entirely alone, save for
the old house-keeper and the other ser
wants. Yes,-he was indeed fortun'
ate, for at this--his fiftieth Christ
mas, he was as hale and hearty az
il he had fifty more ahead Of him.
"Yes," thought he, looking complac.
emily into the dancing fire-light, Il
am fortunate for many reasons, but
most of all that there will be none
of the foolish give and take business
t. ,rar my Christmas. aud nfns VI
this hypocritical Christmas Spirit for
me-" Then his head dropped upon
his breast and he was fas. asleep.
This Is what he dreamed:
The Christmas Spirit was surveying
him severely from the midst of the
ruddy flames in the big fireplace.
He looked very cross, indeed, but
there was whimsical twinkle in his
merry blue eyes. A holly wreath was
cooked jauntily over one ear. which
gave him an aspect that was far
from being the dignified one spirits
are supposed to possess.
Don't speak OF me in that sarcas-
tic tone" said he, looking at Mr..
Crewe very sternly.
Don't do It! Why, how dare you,
you unsophisticated old fogy, you'll
Ill" suffered Mr.. Crewe In
amazement.
"Now, don't contradict me. ! heard
what you said. You called me hypo-
critical" interrupted the Spirit,
Now. then, your going to trot along
with me while / show you what a BIZ
goted old reprobate you are" And he
stepped quickly out Of the fireplace
and touched Mr.. Crewe's forehead
with one finger. Instantly the poor
man found himself sailing along In
his armchair on the gale Of the
North-wind with a speed that set his
old heart to Quaking. The Christ
mas Spirit danced gaily along In front
of him and made occasional remarks
about the country over which they
were passing. Mr.. Crewe finally
summoned courage to look beneath
him and saw q long level prairie
stretched out, studded with farm.
houses and drifted over with sheets
Of snow.
For some time they sped along ia
silence and then the chair made a
sudden swoop downward and came to
a stop before the window Of p small
farmhouse In hollow. The curtain
was up and warm light streamed
out. Drawn up in q comfortable little
circle about the fire was the family
of the home. "See what they are do
ing" ordered the Spirit. And Mr..
Crewe drew closer. "They are max
ing Christmas gifts" said he. And
sure enough, from the sweet-faced
little mother down to the little two
year-old, whose tiny fingers were be-
ing guided thru the mazes Of the al
phabet by an older sister. all were
doing little gift with their own
hands for q loved one.