The daily Alaskan., 1914-12-24
THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT;
 A CHRISTMAS FANCY

l
 market places and from every 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 comingT'
 ''Yes," answered the big oak. "but there is something wrong See how he halts 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.
 "Why, what Is the matter. Christ mas?" called the Fir Tree.
 There was no answer. The forIorn 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.
 q have been over the wide world. l have knocked at the door Of every heart, and no one has opened to me. am forgotten. and there Is no one who 1 loves me-" he said.
 "Every heart?" questioned the FIT Tree incredulously.
 "No, but many. many hearts. and they are all 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 suuarely in the eye, and these are the things they said to some woman In their homes: Don't break me- I shall be months paying the bills you are making.' Christmas Is q nuisance. ] 'Confound this custom of giving pres ents anyway!
 "These are the things they said while 1 they looked into my eyes, and all the while my hands lay frozen against l their hearts.
 ''I went and stood beside the women in many. many homes, and they looked through me as though I was not One ] ,n1- nP in ticular. Oh, wanted place in her heart. and 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 gave me last year. Itlookcd like cheap thing. and shall not spend much money on her. And again, It is awful to just have to make gifts to people you do not care thing about
 "No 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 pig 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. q have something to tell you
 "A woman came to the heart or the wood yesterday" said the Fir Tree, "and with her there was another wo' man.
 "'We must find the most perfect tree l ir oil +ba FcraSt for nome other will l dO.' said the first woman.
 ".Yes.' said the second woman, for the child has uo one to bring Christ mas Spirit to her, no relatives. no friends, no oue to care
 They talked on and on until the story of the little crippled child for whom they were preparing a joyous l ChriStmns came out. She was nothing to them. but she was alone and not like | other children. 1 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 intcntly.
 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 an education. Now he is very feeble. al. l most down the western slope. and hlS son-who will always he just little boy lo the old mali is going back to the little country village 10 spend q portfuu of tie holidays with him and lift the veil of loneliness from his soul. He has planned some wonderful sur J prispS for the lonely old man away | back there in the country" ended the Fir Tree.
 'Oh. has her' exclaimed Christmas no longer forIorn little figure. but happy. happy spirit.
 "I am going away next week to be decked for the little crippled child" laughed the Fir Tree when Christmas Spirit stopped mid his mad dance or joy. And am going across the whole world, and l shall knock so earnestly at the heart of every human being that no one can fail to open wide the Inner doors to Christmas Spirit" called the little figure of, Christmas Joy as he