The Republican journal., 1918-12-26
CHRISTMAS

1t matters not who he was or where it
happened, but once there was man,
home-loving man, who spent the day
before Christmas in a big city. He was
a stranger there and was far from home.
In the afternoon he stood on the
streets and saw the hurrying crowds 60
past, saw the happy children standing in
little groups about the windows filled
with toys. He peeped into Christmas
bazar and saw nice looking old chap,
no doubt a grandfather, adjusting Santa
Claus mask over his smooth shaver chin
and mutton chop whiskers, and when he
took if off his face wore a smile, veri-
table Christmas smile, smile which shone
in his face till he was lost in the crowd
ON the sidewalk and which, l doubt not,
he wore till he reached home with the
mask under his arm in an innocent look
ing pasteboard box. He saw an old
woman, poor and bent by toll, exchange
few pennies for two cheap toys and
small bag of candy, and when she walked
away smile o'erspread the wrinkles in
her tired face. Wherever this man went
everybody he saw was smiling, except
gaunt and ragged little fellow who was
CRYING because he was hungry and had
no money. The man led him to lunch
counter and set before him a plate of
meat hash, glass of milk and piece of
pie. When his repast was about half
finished the poor little chap looked up
and said: "Gee, Mister, amt that goodY'
and the Christmas smile was on his face
and on "Mister's," too, till in the late
afternoon he saw the street cars 60 past,
crowded with tired but happy folks eyes,
folks is Just what they were) all going
home, and even the clanking of wheels
on iron seemed to repeat: "Now for home;
now for home" over and over. Then
the smile faded from "Mister's" face.
Later, in the early evening, he stood in his
lonely room high in hotel, and looking
from the window saw mile away, rows on
rows of electric lights on ranks of streets,
the avenues between 500 acres of dwell
lings Here were fathers, mothers, chill
dren, grandfathers and grandmothers,
Christmas trees, laughter, song, Joy, and,
best of all, homes. Sadly he drew the
curtain, closed his eyes and thought, for
the hundredth time that day, of his own
home and dear ones a thousand miles
never known before, Just what Christmas
is 1t is the best holiday in all the year
because it is home holiday. It matters
not how humble the family altar may be,
about it worships the family, and home
seems dearer than any other spot. 1t is
day of kindness, benevoence and re
membrance, when absent friends seem
dearer 1t is especially children's day,
God bless them. Fortunate indeed is the
man or woman who can on Christmas
feel again the joys of happy child
This year Christmas will be day of
especial Joy in million families because
the war has spared some dear one, and it.
will be day of deep sorrow in thousands
of families missing the presence of the
loved who will never return. But
aye that have faith to look with fearless
eyes
Beyond the tragedy of world at strife,
And trust that out of death and ght
shall rise
The dawn of ampler life:
Rejoice, whatever anguish rend your
heart,
That God has given you the priceless
To live in these great times, and bear
your part
In Freedoms croWning hour"