The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-12
''CHRISTMAS
 IS COMIN'!" Dreams of Fairyland a Reality Just Now to the Eager Mind of Childhood Everywhere, Rich or, Poor
Christmas is comin' :"

That's the universal slogan. Per- haps you question the statement We'll you needn't be particular about finding 8 certain definite location in one of a number of centres will do. A woman who was passing an open space in front of Harlem church l-the same space being facetiously known to the neighborhood as the Kids Parliam ment'-the other day, was surprised to find a various assem- and apartment dwellers, with a sprink ling of squatters from the few open lots left in the vicinity of half a doz- en nationalists, hamnering away like debating class upon the one topic Of outstanding interest-Christmas.
 There were some kiddies there who had no distinct impressions of the meaning of the word. They vaguely knew that 8 real Christmas consisted of a fir-tree, covered with blazing candles, glittering ornaments candy. and all the childish luxuries most of us have dreamed of in vain. But the real knowledge of such festivals was confined to a, comparative handful of the elect, whose clothes were least trif1e cleaner, and who held forth am bitious1y, and with much needless boasting. regarding the manifold won ders they had beheId in their brief assemblage of children was concen- trated upon the old, old question: Is there a Santa Claus? Those whose stockings were most likely to be emp ty, forgot the unpleasant reality in the contagion of the moment. Their voices rang as boastfully as any. They boundless gifts. Such was the spell cast by the coming of Christmas.
 Where Fairyland Exists.
 But to really gauge the spell at its strongest, you must seek the toy-shop window, a broad window crammed wit a ing vista of the most magnificent things St. Nick carries in his tradi- tiona1 pack. Here at least, East Side meets West Side on equal terms. as far as the entrance-door, anyway. The smartly -attired) little girl, with her mother in furs, and the our-at-elbows youngster, attended by a. mother whose arms are full of Squirning baby and whose face has the tired, pinched look that comes to so many mothers faces about Christmas time, both of these parties stare with similar sen sations at the riches displayed for that portion of the public which have least somewhat warranted hopes of future possession; the other, if they stop to reckon things out, know that the pleasures of anticipation are ali that will fall to their lot.
 Sad? Undoubtedly. But for all that it's remarkable how plucky a self deception is practiced by the great ar my of youungsters who see and may not possess. With imagination ones happiness may go a long way on meagre fare. Three youngsters of a kind manifestly not suited to the To- cal color of that vicinity were noted the other afternoon. They had slip ped up to the proud array of the show-window imm ediately behind a boy and girl, who, with their govern ess, had stopped their walk up- town to admire several unusual things that were on view.
 Come come, children the govern ess urged sewe're late, now"
 "Oh, Frau1ein, must stop 8 min ute:' protested the boy. Do see that electrical railroad! I've made up my