The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-12-04
THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT;
A CHRISTMAS FANCY

habitat OF man until he came to the
quiet little sunlit path that runs
through the deep wood.
When he was yet afar Off the most
perfect Fir Tree In all the forest called
gayly to the Great Oak at her side.
christmas is coming.
"Yes." answered the big oak. "but
there is something wrong. See how
be halts ut the end Of the path. stoop.
ing as II the load of the worlds sor.
row lay upon his shoulders. See how
he comes now. with all the gladness
gone from his STEP"
1t was quite true. Christmas Spirit
came toward the most perfect Fir Tree
In the wood with tagging step. looking
away through the forest with sad and
troubled eyes.
"Why. what Is the matter. Christ
mas?" called the Fir Tree.
There was no answer. The forlorn
figure sat down on a fallen log at the
loOt VI tue IL 1iee, Jul Slii thSic was
no answer.
Tell me about 1t all, Christmas" in
vited the Fir Tree in a voice vibrant
with sympathy.
II have been over the wide world. !
have knocked ut the door of every
heart. and no one has opened to me. |
am forgotten. and there is no one who
loves me-" he said.
every hearth questioned the Fir
Tree incredulously.
mo. but many. many hearts. and
they are all alike" he compromised.
81 have been in the home of men and
stood so close to them that could lay
finger on their naked hearts. but they
did not stir Mt my touch. They looked
me squarely In the eye. and these are
the things they said to some woman In
their homes: Don't break me- i shall
he months paying the bills you are
making Christmas IL nuisance
'Confound this custom of giving pres.
ents anyway.
''These are the things they said while
they looked into my eyes. and all the
while my hands lay frozen against
their hearts.
~ went and stood beside the women
ihpnany. many homes, and they looked
through me rs though l was not. One
beautiful lady ] think Of now in par
ticuar. Oh, wanted place in her
heart. and knocked loud and long. but
the door did not open so much as n
crack for Inc to enter. She looked into
my eyes and said: Il wonder what Mrs
last year. 1t looked like cheap thing
and shall not spend much money on
her And again. 1t Is awful to just
have to make gifts to people you dc
not care a thing about
mo one loves me. and | cannot live
without love, and so | shall die" sob
bed Christmas Spirit to the Fir Tree
christmas has come TO be just big
exchange desk. where people give to
those whom they know will give to
them and grumble in the giving"
Come closer" whispered the FL,
liCSs nav Z SOlllClulIS W ttu yOu.
"A woman came to the heart of the
wood yesterday" said the Fir Tree.
land with her there was another wo
man.
I'VE must find the most perfect tree
in all the forest, for none other will
do said the first woman.
Yes said the second woman. for
the child has no one to bring Christ.
mas Spirit to her. no relatives. no
friends. no one to care
'"They talked on and on until the
story of the little crippled child for
whom they were preparing q joyous
Christmas came out. She was nothing
to them. but she was alone and not like
other children.
"A party OF men were walking
through the wood last Sunday" went
on the Fir Tree. for Christmas Spirit
had stopped sobbing now and was lis
tening intently.
"One of these men was telling the
others about his aged father. who
worked his fingers almost to the bone
IN years gone by to give his boy IN
education. Now he Is very feeble. nj
most down the western slope. and his
will always be just little
BOY to the old man-is going back to
he little country village to spend Il
portion of the holidays with him and
lift the veil of loneliness from his soul
He has planned some wonderful sur
DriSes for the lonely old man away
pack there in the country" ended the
Fir Tree.
oh. has her' exclaimed Christmas
10 longer forlorn little figure. but
lappy. happy spirit.
Il am going away next week to he
locked for the little crippled child
aughed the Fir Tree when Christmas
Spirit stopped mid his mad dance ut
oy. And am going across the whole |
world. and shall knock so earnestly |
Il the heart of every human being that |
10 one can fail To open wide the inner |
ioors To Christmas Spirit" called the
little figure OF Christmas Joy as he |
anced away toward the edge Of thr |
wood and the cities and towns beyond
-Julin Chaudlpr MunZ in Buffalo T.. |