The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-17
VOL. xIx.-No. $50.

Once upon time not many years
ago. there was little country village.
In this small rural town there was
large and beautiful mansion. In this
grand home lived Lady Undergrad and
her husband. There were numbers OF
other pretty homes in this town, as
there were a great many rich famihes
who had fine homes, fine horses ana
carriages. plenty of servants and In
fact had all that anyone should ask
for.
On one cold Christmas eve morning
snow was on the ground here ana
there. Small icicles hung from the
branches OF the trees and the bright
red berries from holly and other ever
green's peeped from the snow that had
collected on small limbs and leaves
and seemed 70 say Merry Christmas
to All" and as everyone was IN
hustle and a hustle. making ready for
the Yuletide, good cheer seemed ev-
erywhere.
At one OF these fine homes on this
Christmas eve morning there came an
old, bent, shivering woman. She held
on one arm an old and worn basket
with a clean white cloth over It. In
the other hand she carried stick for
support in walking. Stopping at this
lovely home where all were hanging
festoons of. vines and branches laden
with coral red berries, laughing and
chatting, while servants baked, roast
ed and prepared all the good Things
for Christmas day. stopping at the
doorstep she asked for just little
bite to eat, telling them that she was
cold and hungry. The lady Of the
house spoke angriIy to the servant:
go and get that piece of moulded
cheese and give to her. have no time
to bother with beggars"
The servant did so and the poor
old heggar woman put the cheese IN
her basket and covered with her snow
white cloth. turning to leave, said:
Thank you"
she passed on to the next house.
Gaiety reigned there also. Hesitating
at the gate. she says to herself, "ShaH
I 20 in?v Then stepping in, she closed
the large but light iron gate quietly,
walked TO the steps and asked for
something to eat. The lady Of the
house turned to her and said: II don't
see what you are going around bother
ing peop,s today for. Go, daughter,
ana bring that spoiled rice. Maybe
she can eat that" The girl ran down
the beautifully decorated hall and soon
came back with a dish of cold spoiled
rice, handed it to the beggar woman.
Then putting the rice in the basket,
the beggar woman said, II thank
you," and passed on to the next
home. A similar scene was there. AS
she entered the yard she got the odor
az the cakes, pies, roasted meats and
fruits of all kinds There she knocked
and a little girl with golden curls
came running to the door. The beg
gar woman told her she was cold and
hungry. The child quickly turned
and running to her mother, said:
.EIere is a poor old lady at the dool
and she says she has had nothing II
eat today. Let's give her something
good mama" Then the mother re
marked. 1--WE swant what we have fo
ourselves. can't feed beggars G.
get those three hard biscuits and lie
her go on her way. | wish folk
would not bother me today and
have so much to attend to-" The chill
did so and told her that they had
great big turkey, whole roast pi
with a big red apple in its moutl
and just lots OF cakes, pies and man
more good things hut they had t
have them The beggar looked at tn
little girl. and smiled sadly and said
well, goodbye little girl" She the
walked on with sad and heavy hear
almost shedding tears. She stoppe
at another home and asked as befol
for something to eat. There they gay
her a piece of spoiled fish that no OF
could eat Pausing at the gate of thi
lovely home. she saw to the left in IL
distance little log hut There we
large trees and signs of well-ke
little home. She decided to go the
and ask for help. AS she came to Il
low but stout steps, tapped with h
stick and waited just a minute, I
Moor was opened by an old man, w
said Good morning!" She told hi
that she was very cold and hungl
and asked if he could give her som
thing to eat why. yes. Sister
said. "Come in, we haven't much, /
YOU shall have the best we hav
Turning to the room he said, "Old v
man. come here, somebody has col
TO spend Christmas with us. Co
right in. come in, come in and war;
The wife took her by the hand,
her to an old scrubbed white rock
.'Sit down. take off your bonnet,
me have your shawl and get
snowflakes off of it. Amt you co
Take off your shoes, let me ur
them. There now, warm yours
while I go and get you some
Have 1t hot, old woman, for she
inst a shivering." Then the v
came in with a cup of steaming
tea and nice fresh homemade hr
and butter. Drink this she $
"and maybe you could eat some Of
fresh baked bread. This is all we h
except some clabber. Bring in b
Of clabber old woman. she can
some Of it. There now, just m
yourself at home We are so glad
have you come and spend Christi
with us. Sakes alive, amt we
E old woman Thank you" said
beggar lady. But I must go on
have other duties before me and
must 60 on. So after enjoying