The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-12-23

When Maude Adams as Peter Pan
audience, do you believe in fairies?"
I quivered with intense excitement,
and, forgetting where l was. l called
out, Il do, do!' Miss Adams looked
down at me and smiled. and smiled
back, though there were tears in my
eyes and in my heart, too, for her act
ing had touched latent spring which
welled up in spite of myself.
I do bel'-ve in fairies. And I pity
those who Anow not the joys Of seeing
the little flower folk or the water
sprites or the little faces which always
peek out from behind the great fleecy
clouds.
When l was a little GIL my grand
mother told me stories of the good lit
tie people of Ireland. They always
came to the poor children with gifts
which were greater than the presents
bought by the parents Of rich children
to satisfy and amuse tt m. And what
she told me they brought We're good
dispositions, sweet. smiling. pretty
faces and brave little hearts which
could face any storm They made the
when they grew up they found them
wealthy little children had ever been.
Believing In Santa Claus.
And she taught US to believe in
Santa Claus: that he would never de-
sert US If he didn't bring US the
beautiful toys he brought other child
ren. he loved us just as much. In
fact. always believed Jolly old Santa
cared much more for the poor child
rem even If he did often forget the
numbers of their houses and passed
them by, quite as If he didn't krtw
that little children called to him from
every nook and corner
A Long Remember Christmas Tree.
Not many years ago. we profession
ais were asked to lend ourselves to
matinee, the proceeds of which went
to a gigantic Christmas tree laden
with gifts for the little children Of the
poor. Not only were We glad that we
could be Of such service. but we ask
ed as a favor that we might all at.
tend the lighting Of the tree and see
the little faces as Santa Claus took
from the gaudy branches stocking
filled with toys. candies and fruit
tor each one Of them.
They came in great droves-eager.
trembling with excitement. their eyes
as round as saucers, and their mouths
as wide open as their eyes-frail, lit
tie ones. lusty children, some OF them
bent and pale because they had work
ed for years In factories. and many
foreign children, timid and frightened
by the glare and the unexpected Joys
ct this American Christmas.
The Joy Of Giving.
Our mother has already taught US
ing for others. I know of no one hap
pier than she. and her whole life has
been one Of self-sacrifice.
Those years after my fathers death,
mother had to work so hard, especi-
ally around the holidays. and we three
children never knew how much she
denied herself to give to US and to
keep US from realizing how close was
the wolf that howled at our door.
What little we had she told US we
must share with others, and We made
q list of the children In the neighbor-
hood whom We knew were even poor
er than We. AS the years have rolled
on, our list has grown and grown I'M
til it has assumed quite amazing pro-
portions. Every day come letters from
all over the country, asking me for a
little financial aid. 1t always grieves
me because 1 cannot help everyone,
but if responded to each call for aid
| would have nothing left to hold out
to those whom I know need 1t the
most l have my own individual char
tiles, and could not answer the call
Of strangers when even now cannot
do for the ones love all I would like
to do.
wish you all Merry Christmas
md may the fulfillment Of the new