The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-28
A Better Way
"a Christmas Story. }

ents--not single one 1t is dread
full for me to have everything, and a
tree every year!"
believe it?--some children in our
Church never heard of santa-never
saw a Christmas tree?"
The lit5.e girl spoke rapidly. Ex-
element. lity and distress sent the
color TO her cheeks, and the blue eyes
filled with tears. Stopping suddenly,
she flung down her school bag and
sank into a chair.
What are you going to do about 1t,
Eltie?" came in even, gentle tones
from the mother who had listened pa
tiently
Where do we come in?" big broth
or Archie complained WHO is TO be
sacrificed? !, for one, want a call
from Santa Still, II the 'duckling
is going to make us all uncc mfortable,
what's TO be done?"
ALLOW me to make q suggestion"
Had the sky fallen, the family
would not have been more surprised
Father In the armchair, with the
newspaper hiding his face, was sup
posed TO be deaf to the trivial affairs
+ W ASt'iiAAS me- out JoN lie puIIeu
in as the slang-loving Archie would
have put It
Let us have a sensible Christmas
Ellie. Limit ourselves to good, Jolly
dinner and a few tokens OF love TO
each ether, and spread our good cheer
just as far as purses and work will
allow"
That evening a family council was
held ana calculation made as to the
amount usually spent on each other
and friends who gave in return. Elfe
was allowed to make the first sug-
gestion. group Of poor girls belong
ing II different families claimed her
entire sympathy. Would It be posi-
BILE to give them Christmas tree?
Mrs. Burden was certain that II
could be managed
Yes" Mr.. Burden said 1--WE win
take warning by the 'duckings' tears"
/ 1t was busy and happy family for
several weeks before the joyous sea-
son. 1t was amazing how much could
be bought for the price of one ex-
pensive gift. There was joy unspeak-
able in the sacrifice. thoughtful lit
tie gifts We're selected for friends not
We'll off, but sensitive to pity. Ham
pers were filed by Mr.. Burden, the
generous provider, who knew just
what should 80 into the Christmas
larder.
Christmas came at last with its hal
lowed associations. Many and lovely
acre the little tokens made or bought
at the cost Of labor, time, and thought
Among many made happy were six
little girls of Elites choosing those
who had never seen Christmas tree
Three little Italians these were and
three others. Mrs Burden had learn
Cd all about them with the help Of
Mss Comfort. a warm hearted friend
of the poor who lived among them.
/ With her aid the scanty wardrobes
were replenished with leftovers, the
beauty-loving Italian mother adding
her own taste,
1t was In Miss Comforts best par
lor that the precious tree was set up
AMI decked by Ellie and Archie How
much Il held OF beauty and useful
ness 1t would take long TO tell.
Five little girls in the poor tene-
ments Weakened with sad certainty
that Santa had again passed them by.
The sixth child was not so sure. She
lived near Miss Comfort and had been
questioned. Besides, she had seen
mysterious parcels going in. She II
was who sold to the others; Miss
Comfort says, VIII you come to a
kind q a partyP'"
"A party" cried Polly Parker. 20
glory"
Then a wall; What can we wear?
We Amt got nothing
"Asl. your mammas."
Miracle OF mlracles,- the mothers
had something wonderful. and all
ready for the party. Such a wash
ing and comhtng and dressing, such
an ecstasy of delight had never come
to them In all their little lives.
~ ~ Oh ha rtyjT-
dren In front Of the tree Ia Miss
Comforts room. 1t was lovely in It's
sparkling beauty. Nearby was a ia
BILE laden with gifts, Shy at first they
stood silent, spellbound. Some one
was playing Carol, carol, Christmas"
Then some one jumped up--some
one with face aglow--their own little !
schoomate, Ellie. A real Santa Claus
appeared How could they know
that 1t was Archie, ready to distribute
the gifts? Tongues were loosened |
jog burst forth,
Il was all over too soon. After a !
feas. of ice cream and other goodies /
they were ready to go
Now, girlies." Miss Comfort said |
Santa is going to take a picture of I
our tree. Next week you shall each |
have one"
She grouped the little ones. Dreamy !
eyed JSlSd iDOkGu SiiNiS dpNti ut 1T {
stocking full of sweets. Her staid (
elder sister clasped a precious doll !
and gazed at the camera. The others |
held fast teddy bears and dolls
Stop Wait minute!" came amid .
ueals Of laughter, as the baby of the (
party footed a horn, Every one I
giegled 1t was only when the wee
ONE pol<ed finger into the trumpet |
to check the sound that stiffness was
restored
Great was the delight In several
homes when the little ones displayed
their gifts. But one there was hap
pier than all the rest-the child who
from her loving little heart had
thought Of a way to spread 10y and
cladness. Erie Waters. In Western
Christian Advocate.
Mr.. Can't and Mr.. Can.
o. Mr., Can't from Mr. Can
Is q very different sort OF man.