Bisbee daily review., 1914-12-25
THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT;
 A CHRISTMAS FANCY

T BIVEN from the heart of the
 people Christmas Spirit left AN the great shops, fed from the
 market places and from every habitat of man until he came to the quiet little sunllt path that rups through the deep wood
 When he was yet afar off the most perfect Dir 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 he hats at the end of the path. stoop ing as If the load of the worlds sor row lay upon his shoulders. See how he comes now. with all the gladness gone from his step"
 It 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.
 t'Why, what is the matter, Christ masJ" called the Fir Tree
 There was no answer. The forlorh figure sat down on a fallen log at the foot of the Fir Tree, but still there was no answer
 "Tell me about it all, Christmas" in- vited the Fir Tree in a voice vibrant with sympathy.
 "I have been over the wide world. l have knocked at the door of every heart and no one has opened to me. l am forgotten, and there is no one who loves me-" he said.
 Every heartE questioned the Fir Tree incredulously.
 "No, but many. many hearts, and they are an alike" he compromised.
 ''I have been in the home of men and stood so close to them that l could lay a finger on their naked hearts. but they did not stir at my touch. They looked me squarely in the eye. and these are the things they said Co some woman in their homes: Don't break me- T shall be months paying the bills you are making Christmas is nuisance 'ConfounG this custom of giving pres ents anyway
 "These are the things they sStd while they looked into my eyes. and aS the while my hands lay frozen against their hearts.
 'T went and stood beside the women in many many homes, and they looked through me as though ] was not One beautiful lady l think of now in par ticular oh. I wanted a place in her heart. and l knocked loud and long. but the door did not open so much as crack for me to enter. She looked into my eyes and said I wonder what Mrs. Brown paid for that bag she elve me last year It looked like a cheap thing. and | shall not spend much money on her And again 'lt is awful to just have Co make gifts to people you do not care a thing about
 "No one loves me. and ] cannot live without love, and so l shall die" sob bed Christmas Spirit to the Fir Tree. Christmas has come to be just a big exchange desk. where people give to thOse whom they know will give to them and grumble in the giving"
 Come closer" whispered the Fir Tree. 'I have something to tell you
 "A woman came to the heart Of the wood yesterday" said the Fir Tree. "and with her there was another wo- man.
 We must find the most perfect tree in an the forest. for none other will do. said the first woman
 4t. sNs. 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 a joyous Christmas came out She was nothing to them. but she was alone and not like other children.
 "A party of men were walking