Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1912-12-21

Mr.. Crewe turned away with .
rather softened heart which con
gealed quickly, however, when he saw
the Christmas Spirit looking at hin
with q little smile.
They took one more look into the
window and then the chair spranl
once more into the air and sped along
az before. Soon the level plain be
came more rugged and ON the horiz
on appeared lofty mountain peaks
their snow-covered SUBMITS spark
ling In the starlight.
On and on rushed Mr.. Crewe in
his armchair, with the Christmas
Spirit his long white draperies flut
tering In the wind, dancing lightly
before. They plunged right into the
midst OF the rocky cliffs and soon
Mr.. Crewe saw a tiny light sparkling
high UP on the tip OF gray crag.
Nearer and nearer they sped and
soon were lowering over a tiny cab.
in, roughly hewn OF logs, but with
a cozy and warm interior Once more
the Spirit ordered Mr.. Crewe to look
within and this Ia what he saw and
heard:
A sweet little woman sat at a
table sewing, with the light shining
on her soft hair, while near her sat
her big backwoods husband.
The tears were sparkling upon her
lashes tho she winked vahantly to
keep them back. The head OF the
man was bowed upon the table and he
was the very picture Of despair.
Robert" she said bravely, don I
be discouraged. We will have a
Christmas yet. The Lord has never
forgotten us In the time of need.
We are young and what does 1t mat
ter II we cannot have luxuries and
comforts on every Christmas day."
What will the children think, Nell.
when there is no tree and no gifts
OF any kind. Why should this, the
first Christmas they have, be one Of
sorrow and hardship"
Robert" said the sweet voice
softly, Have you forgotten how the
Savior lay in the lowly manger
Our children have downy pillows be-
meath their heads. He had q tuft of
straw. Was he not better than the
least of thesef Yet he had no
warm clothes, not even q roof above
his head, yet we have warm clothes,
a home, and best OF all, love. Oh,
Robert, let us kneel and pray forgive
ness for our ingratitude." And with
the sobs shaking his big form the
man knelt down to worship beside
the woman who was q guardian an
gel to his hime in the wildernessa
Once more Mr.. Crewe turned away
from the window and this time there
were tears In his eyes, thru which
he glared defiantly at the mockery
Of the Christmas Spirit. 80" said
the Christmas Spirit. provokingly, Il
am hypocritical, am II"
Mr.. Crewe said nothing, but gulped
down a lump In his throat In way
that made the Spirit quite relent.
Said he, would you like to see
more, or 10 this enough to convince
you that Christmas 10 not all the
cant and hypocrisy you think. Shall
I take you to the cities and let you
see the big department stores where
the crowds are rushing to and fro
in the usual holiday hustle. Where
the faces Of the shop-girls are hag-
gard with WEAKNESS but STILL the
Christmas love shines thru and pre-
vents them from making harsh re-
torts to the troublesome customers.
Out doors the streets are filled with
the same hurrying crowds. Every
where is the gleam Of holly-berries
among their emerald leaves and .
flash Of white mistletoe against It's
reseda background. Men and women