Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-22

w out Christmas storiesi Surely it is the
time of all the year when every one, young
and old, welcomes stories breathing the
Christmas spirit. And to meet this demand
what host of stories have been written! 1t
would, indeed, be almost hopeless to attempt
to make a list of all the Christmas tales ever
written. Since our own Washington Irving
told OF "Old Christmas in England in his
Sketch Book or Charles Dickens produced
his christmas Stories" their number has
been legion Yet, lest we be confused by
this great mass of Christmas stories, it may
be worth while to attempt to Gull out some
of the most successful.
Recently several well-known story -tellers
were asked what they considered to be the
best Christmas story for children. Surpris-
ing as ii may seem, the answer was the same
in each case. But when the story they rec
commended Is compared with other Christmas
stories much Of the surprise disappears Said
one: 1.-The most popular Christmas story for
many years in this country has been Why
the Chimes Rang, by Raymond Macdonald
Alden. This story is old everywhere-in
schools and churches, Sunday schools and
other groups told to young and old, rich and
poor. In fact, 1t has become a Christmas
classic" And when the same question was
put to those in charge Of the Children's De-
partment of the Philadelphia Library, which
is doing such a splendid educational work for
the children of Philadelphia, the answer was
the same.
Mystery and Miracles
This story by Alden is printed in several
editions of Christmas stories 1t tells of
little boy who through a great sacrifice was
unable to attend the Christmas service in the
brilliantly lighted church, but how his gift to
the Christ Child was more acceptable than
the gifts Of kings and mobiles, and how con-
sequently the chimes in the tall tower were
heard to ring in testimony Of the gifts ac-
ceptability. This brief story employs the
supernatural in the mysterious ringing Of the
bells. 1t emphasizes most vividly the i'm
portance OF cheerful sacrifice and charity in
the Christian life as contrasted with the
glitter and show OF the false conception OF
the Christian spirit so common among man
kind
Following closely why the Chimes Rang
In popularity are van Dykes "The First
Christmas Tree" to be found in that authors
'Ths Blue Flower Ruth Sawyer Durands
"The Voyage of the Wee Red Cap" TO be
found in a volume entitled "Childrens Book
Of Christmas Stories" edited by Dickinson
and Skinner in which will also be found
1.-THE Fir Tree" by Hans Christian Andersen;
1.-THE Golden Cobwebs" by r. II. schauffier,
ana 'IOlnelle anu tn6 Elves ny pusaH
Coolidge. All of these are appropriate for
young children. for in all. except van Dykes,
the supernatural plays an important part,
either through the medium of elves and
fairies or through some other manifestation
OF the miraculous.
For children to whom fairies and goblins
are no longer acceptable. stories dealing with
the origin of the Christmas tree. with the
origin OF Santa Claus and with stories OF the
Christ Child win be appropriate.
Stories concerning the first Christmas tree,
or eentring about the tree, are numerous.
Besides van Dykes THE First Christmas
Tree" there are @rhe FiFst Christmas Tree"
BY Lucy Wheeoek, to be found In "Children's
Book OF Christmas Stories and THE Balsam
Fir" by Mary f. Wilkins Freeman in her
esix Trees"
Historical Background Of Santa
Many articles have been written on the
historical background Of santa Claus show
ing how he evolved from the good saint
Nicholas ana how the celebration Of his
birthday, on December 6. got mixed with the
celebration of the Nativity one Of tie latest
Of these was q well written article In the
outlook Of December 20. 1sl2 Il would seem
the act Of wisdom to explain to those children
who have become skeptical concerning Santa
the true significance of the celebration of
CnFlatFass and the giving of sifts
Many stories have sbeen founded upon the
unexpected appearance ia modem times II
tAe Cnflst chiid among nen. Two in ths
eChlldfan's Book Of Christmas stprieae are
worthy 81 note. namely. Francois Coppees
sIitIle Welna Wooden Shoes and 3 GER
nsa eseaa. - stofs ef t6e caflsi EhlId
Ihta latter bas hesn successfully presented IS
ehllarea . means qf table8oz aeaonpanled
- s lea1Ihe fH feAf less Known 4.-