Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-29
Love Y@e One Another
By Vida w able
Part I-Chlistmas Eve.

in "Toyland"
There, seated up high was generou:
old Santa receiving the telephone mes
sages from his little folk" Tony won
dered what Santa's number was and i
he could call him up
The long train of cars next caught
his attention. Then he took specia
notice of the little guns, drums. toy
horses and the things that delight &
boys heart, so that when he reached
home, he might tell his little brother
Benny (who was sick) all about it.
! But remembering that it was late
and that his hands and nose We're
pretty cold, he pulled his cap further
over his ears and started for home
AS he went down Second street he
noticed several little boys staring up
| in The Courier window and Of course.
boylike he stopped and looked too.
There was reason enough for their
attention. for there. in row hung a
! dozen Santa Claus stockings full to the
top and then some.
who are them thare stockins' for?"
Tony asked of small boy in front of
him.
He looked at Tony in surprise.
Christmas Stocking club? My big Sis
ter belongs TO it and I'll bet, that
stocking up there with the soldier doll
said that she wanted little boy seven
years old to get it. My. Won't he be
tickled?"
I'll bet my little brother would be
tickled if he could see all those Christ.
mas stockins and the Christmas trees
and "Toyland." He's been sick three
weeks and won't get to see a single
thing, and we amt got any daddy this
year. so don't suppose We'll have any
Christmas cause mother says it costs
too much to get what we have to
have"
The little boy looked at Tony curl
ously. How old is your brother?"
He's six now, but will be seven iii
January. Who belongs to that Stock
in club'?''
And then the little boy told Tony
what his big sister had told him about
what the Juniors and their mammas
and papas did and anybody else who
wanted to make some child happy on
Christmas day. And as Tony listened,
his face grew wistful, for he thought
of how little Benny's Christmas would
be.
The town clock struck six and with
one list look in the window. Tony
started away, but not before the little
boy had asked him his name and his !,
brothers.
The little boy watched Tony till he
was out CT sight. his small brain work
ing very fast and finally with a de-
cided nod of his small head he walked
up the steps and into The Courier Of
fee.
Part IT,
Tony was greeted with cry of de-
light when he reached home.
well, mother, it's pretty cold out
tonight. Can I tell Benny, about the
sights before I eat?"
Warm yourself first. dear and then
vow may talk to your hearts content"
Benny watched Tony eagerly as he
sat by the stove and in few minutes
he bigger brother drew his chair up
lose beside the bed and taking Ben
lys thin hand in his. he started tell
ne about the Christmas trees
Just shut your eyes, Ben. and
hink of two long. long rows of Chris
mas trees with red and yellow lights ;
,ver them" f;
Have they got any presents on
hem?" {
mo, no, Benny. You see. the trees t
re in the street a row on each side,
MT the presents are in the store Win t
ows. &
"You remember last year, when Dad t
V took us both down to that store on I
r,t, w
on? Well that's where Santa is now
nd you Jest oughta see the nice things t
e has in the window
There's drums and balls and en-.
ines and little cars and autos and
oils and jest everything you can
link of.
"And Benny lowering his voice) .
here's sled that YOU can guide.
'onder who'll get ito" II
MY wish you'n me had it. wouldn't 7
e have circus of a time on the hill' g
nd saw a pair of skates too n
The boys were silent long time. e
TONY, you'd better come and eat !,
our toast now and I'll have to give "
ennv his medicine for it's his bed h
me- called the mother.
The little brother looked wistfulIv $
p into his mothers face as she came X
ward the bed o
Mother do you think Santa will a
rget us this vear?' he asked.
"Why ! - | don't know Benny. You q,
e there's so many. NAVY little bows o.
I'd girls that mavbo he'll have to put v
me Of them off til - little later on. h
, maybe next Christmas he will give a
70 presents instead of one "
As TONY sat eating his scant zeal.
kent thinking about these Chest I i'
as stockings in The Courier window. ~
. decided not to tell Benny about -,
en- now. IL
Tired ard sleepv after his walk W
rough town he willingly wen- to bed 10
zen his mother called to him. S,
But before lying down. ho krelt bv pl
chair and prayed Dear Father. I'D III
lere my daddy is now. please make y, "
my we'll as soon as you can and -
ats All well want for a Christmas Ii
esent.
Amen"
Part III
After her boys were asleep the =
)ther took her knitting basket and Ky