Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-16
How Wee Eddie Kimberley Saw
Saint Nick Last Year Through
Big-Hearted AtIantans' Aid, Re-
caIIed-ShaII He Be Made
Happy This Year2

When it comes 10 writing a story
this time of the year about the tras-
edies and the joys Of Christmas, you
might as we'll consider last Christ
mas as this next Christmas And
talk Of last Christmas naturally sug-
gests little Eddie kimberley.
Everybody in The Sunday Amer
can office remembers Eddie, whose
big eyes seemed to blaze In his mol
low, pale face. He came up the dark
stairs leading to the reporters room
holding tightly to his mothers hand
He was only one Of the long line If
Atlante's poor who came to receive
something out OF the Christmas pres
ents the newspaper was giving %
children Of the Empty Stocking homes
of Atlanta. But he was such an ap-
pealing one that he is remembered 10
this day.
rs this where Santa Claus lives"
he asked his mother The woman
nodded. II would have tried Mrs
kimberley sorely TO speak at that
time, with the tears so near.
A Mothers Sad Plight.
They sent Eddie back to where the
children were receiving their bags Of
candy and fruits. and Mrs Wimber-
ley fingered at the front Of the office.
You see, I've tried to keep him
believing that there was Santa
Claus" she informed the reporters,
making an effort At smiling, He's 10
years old now, but the children AZ
school haven't made him think there
wasn't, vet. But this year was
thinking he would find Il out
I've been telling him what good
man old Santa Claus is, and how ne
didn't forget little boys But this
year. with the old man gone II be-
gan to look as II Santa wasn't com
ing. and as II the little empty stock
ing would make my boy lose his faith.
But here this chance came this
chance from the newspaper and from
the good people OF Atlanta. And I
can keep my little boy still little boy
for another year NV baby ="
He Finds a Santa.
Her voice trailed off into something
like a choking nothingness. She tried
to speak again. but Eddie was run
ming toward her from the back OF the
office big paper sack under his arm,
his peaked face lighted up with an
intense happiness.
Mamma, mamma, look" he almost
Shrieked His mother caught him TO
her side and squeezed him close
against her She crumpled in the
other hand the envelope with its two
one dollar bills, her Christmas pres
ent out OF the Empty Stocking Fund,
and bit her lip in holding back the
tears
God bless YOU" she said to those
who were giving out the presents
God bless YOU all. I've still got my
baby. and merry Christmas.
Mrs. kimberley and Eddie. as you
have been told, were only two out OF
a long line Somehow their figures
remained with the reporters, as typi-
cal Of all the women and children
from the Empty Stocking homes.
They were typical because of their
need, and typical because Of the 10y
with which they received their part
of the Christmas bounty.
II is very likely that Mrs, Wimber-
lev and Eddie will come to the OH, Q
aeain this Christmas. The "old man
Is gone. Mrs Kimberley must WORK
hard. and there is little money for
Christmas presents. The woman ami
her little boy seemed very hopeless
and helpless and poor-iust like the
hundred others who came.
And il is to prepare a merry
Christmas for the hundreds in he
Empty Stocking homes that the
Christmas Editor of The Georgian
and Sunday American Is making his
appeal for contributions to the
Christmas fund. Eddie and dozens
of other Eddes are expecting with
as much serene confidence as the chill
dren of happier more fortunate HON 9
the visit of Santa Claus. They still
hold to their faith in the white
bearded spirit of kindness and char
ty. They still have ideals and fairy