New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-12-09
SYNOPSIS

In the show window of the exchange
dry goods exchange was just the
name OF it. for the store carried every
thing-a hodgepodge Of canned goods.
lace curtains. kitchen utensils. wax fig
ures and bird cages had been ranged
round center table Of golden oak. On
the table stood figure that was as
familiar to Old Trail Town as was it's
fire engine and its sprinkling cart. Like
these, appearing internationally. the
figure had seized on the imagination
Of the children and grown in associa-
ton until it belonged to everybody by
sheer use and wont. 1t was PAPER
mache Santa Claus, three feet high.
white bearded, gray gowned. with tall.
pointed cap, rather the more sober st.
Nicholas Of earlier days than the roll
licking, red CARRIED st. Nick of now.
Only whereas for years he had graced
the window of the exchange. bearing
over his shoulder little bough of
green for a Christmas tree. this season
he stood treeless and instead bore on
his shoulder United States flag. On
a placard below him Simeon had la
boliOusly lettered:
HIGH COST OF LIVING
AND TOO MUCH FUSS
MAKES FOLKS WANT A
SANE CHRISTMAS.
ME- TOO. sc
''Ain't that neat?' said Simeon.
EbeneZer. looked. whats the flag
fer?'' he inquired dryly.
well" said Simeon. 'he had to car
~ something. l thought of toy gun.
but that didn't seem real appropriate
A Japanese umbrella wasn't exactly
in season, seems though. A flag was
about the only thing could think of
to have him hold. A flag is always
kind Of tasty. don't you think?''
'Oh. it's harmless" Ebenezer said:
"harmless.'
"No hustling business Simeon pur-
sued. ''can be contented with Just not
doing something. 1t amt enough not
to have no Christmas You've got to
find something that'll express nothing
and express it forcible. In business
minus sign said Simeon. lis as good
as plus if you can keep it whirIing
round and round.'
This Ebenezer mulled and chuckled
ever as he went on down the street.
He wondered what the emporium
would do to keep up with the eX-
change. But in the emporium window
there was nothing save the usual mill
end display for the winter white goods
sale.
Ebenezer opened the store door and
put his head in.
~ ''Hey!' he shouted at Abel. back at
the desk. Cant you keep up with
Simeon's Window"
Abel came down the aisle between
the lengths of white stuff plated into
folds at either side. The fire had just
been kindled in the stove. and the air
in the store was still frosty. Abel, in
his overcoat, was blowing on his fin.
gers.
Il amt much Of any heart to-" said
he, but the night before Christmas
guess'll do about right for NINE"
"What'll you put npy Ebenezer ask
ed, closing the door behind finn.
''Well, SIR said Abel, II amt made
up my mind full yet But I'll be bill
bowed if I'm going to let Christmas
go by without saying something about
it in the window"
might before Christmas'll be too
late to advertise anything" said Eben-
ezer IF l was in trade'' he said, clos
ing his eyes. I'D fill my window up
with useful articles-caps and mittens
and stockings and warm underwear
and dishes and toOthbrushes. And I'd
say, Might as we'll afford these on
what you saved out of Christmas
You'd ought to get all the advertising
you can out of any situation"
Abel shook his head.
II amt much on SUCH" he said
lightly. and then. looked intently at
Ebenezer. "Jenny's been buying quite
lot here for her Christmas" he said.
Ebenezer was blank. jenny" he
said. Jenny Wing? heard she was
here. I amt seen her. Is she bound
to keep Christmas anyhow
"Just white goods it was" said Abel
briefly. !.
Ebenezer frowned his lack of under
standing. II shouldn't think her and
Rrnce had much of anything to buy