Norwich bulletin., 1915-12-18
THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

MT. Gardner sat in his easy chair before the bright fire which glowed in the grate. His eyes were gazing intently on the paper which he ap peared to be reading, but he was really listening to the prattle of the children who, were chatting earnest ly about Christmas.
 The mother sat near the table alarming stockings; and as her eyes glanced about and upon the group before her one could see that content ment and happiness was written on her face.
 This room was beautiful to gaze upon for it was attractive, inviting and in good taste. The draperies and l small household accessories were ar 1 tistically draped and arranged. The colors of the furnishings, wall-decora- | tions and woodwork all blended well | together and showed the artistic taste of the occupants. It was honey and restful room. Couches. easy chairs and tables here and there. The pictures On the wall were pleasing to | the eye and showed that the head of the house believed in spending his money not extravagantly, but to sur round those whom he loved with fur nishings that would provide for them ease, comfort and subjects for | thought.
 Elsie Raynor gave me an embroid
 cred scarf last year and I must give 1 her as good a gift in return this year" exclaimed Lucy.
 | "Paugh-' replied her brother Earle, and you don't particularly like her | either That's just like girls giving should like to see myself giving any one gifts that l did not want to give. I would prefer to spend the money on myself
 Then blue-eyed Jess, nine years of age, with her golden curls bobbing up | and down cried:
 ! 'SWhy, Why, I always thought un-
 til today that Christmas meant just giving presents to those whom we love and live with, but my teacher 1 told us that the real Christmas spirit 1 was not only to give to those we love, but to give to help others, less fortu- | nate than ourselves. She also said that our Heavenly Father sent the Christ child to us on Christmas eve. He was sent to help the people all over the world, and We ought to fol- low His example and at this time es- pecially we should give aid and help | and exclude giving gifts to those be- longing to the family circle, if we could not do both. So you see Earle and Lucy that your ideas are not right" She wants us to report to her l of some kindness or help we have given to others after vacation. I am
 sure I want to help, but I could not let Christmas pass without giving
 papa and mamma a present anyway. You little saint cried Earl and | Lucy in unison. You are a dear, all
 ways giving your pennies away and forgetting what you wanted to spend
 them for, but wait until you are older and you will do as we do, give where it will be returned or spend it on yourself.
 Papa laid down his paper and said,
 My dears, I trust that your home comforts, which would be luxuries to
 those who have scarcely enough to
 eat and no pleasant home and a mothers kindly hand to care for them, will not cause you to become selfish. l This Christmas time is a good chance
 for you to be less selfish. To give to
 aid others and not for return gift.
 Jess teachers definition of the true
 Christmas spirit is the right one, and
 want you to put it into practice.
 For this purpose I shall give each of
 you S10. l shall expect you to use
 your judgment and spend it wisely
 and profitably, and also to want to
 give the gifts not because I wish it,
 but because you really want to help
 others. Mamma and I will accom-
 pany you if you wish anywhere; but
 we shall not ask questions for you or
 give you suggestions, for we wish you
 to act and do as your feelings prompt
 you too"
 l Oh, er-ten dollars to spend to do
 good cried Earle and Lucy together!'
 We shall have to hustle and hunt
 around to find people to help. But
 say pa, you are not going to let
 Jess have so much are you? She does
 spend her pennies foolishly." Here
 Jess put her arms around her fathers neck and said, Please papa, I will
 but papa put his hand over her
 mouth and replied:
 Of course you are to have just the
 same amount of money as the others
 It is Christmas you know, and don't , now, or when you are older put aside l your sympathy and kindly acts fo1 | others because they are sometimes , misplaced. Spend your money as
 your heart prompts you too, and papa l and mamma will be satisfied. These experiences are all for your good, my dear
 Busy days followed, the spare time of each in the afternoon was spent ir
 shopping or at least in looking al , Christmas gifts or in looking about for people to aid. In the evenings after lessons were committed eacf would sit apart. and think awhile, ther jot down names of receivers and g [ list of gifts to be bought. For some l reason the names and list of gifts , were changed nearly every night } Time passed and vacation came anC [ Lucy and Jess had not parted witt , their money.