The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-25
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS.


 dren by the Klwanis club. the one around which the Rotarians gathered. and the one staged at Capitol park
 
 Can you who read this recall the first Christmas tree which dawned upon yotr eyes in childhood? If so. then you can get some idea of the joy which filled the hearts of the dear little ones who were the guests of the Kiwanians in the banquet room of the TutwiIer.
 I daresay some of you who came to Birmingham from the country or villages will remember that there was only one forward to with more pleasure than the annual May picnic, and that was the Christmas tree, for in the old days few churches omitted to have one. One of the pleasantest memories of my childhood clusters about them.
 It's hard for grown-ups to realize just how real Santa Claus is to the little tots l am sorry for those who think it necessary to tell the truth to their little ones about their patron saint for alas! only too soon will their faith in him be troubled by some larger child at school, for unfortunately it seems to be the case that some boys and girls take a fienJish delight in upsetting the belief of the younger ones about him.
 
 Perhaps you who glance at this on this Christmas morning have made your pile ard are surrounded by every luxury that give to share in the joy of the thousan nds Of little ones who slept last night with one eye open in order to wake early to steal down to see what old Santa had brought them? I like to think of millions of little ones digging down into their stockings in search of goodies and trink- cts dear to childish hearts
 l 1 was mighty glad when Joe Loveman man asked me to be sure and be at the 1 Kiwanis Christmas tree. He got in late and so I sat with Mercer Barnett with my back to the chimney down which Santa Claus was to make his descent. It gave me a chance to watch the ex- pression on the faces of the children. "Parson, now President, Barnwell. standing in the gallery, said: Children. Santa Claus has arrived and is now climbing down the chimney" It was enough Nfor every childish eye was glued on it.
 Slowly the>manly form of Lew saiter made up for the part emerged, and for A 1 moment a hundred or more children scarcely breathed, for it was too realis- tic. But when he announced thae he was loaded down with good things for them they elapped and shouted for Joy A and on the other for the boys. and slowly they passed by the tree to receive their gifts. I saw one little girl shake like an aspsn leaf when her hand accidentally touched that of Santa, Claus 1t was tou much for her to believe that she had actually felt him
 1
 $, having the time of his life in helping Santa Claus to distribute them With arms fun of good things they filed back and took their seats. Then santa Claus said goo6by until next Christmas. anu as fc backed to re-enter the chimney. scores of little hands waved at him. and eyes danced with glee, and merry cries Of Come again rang out as he disap- peared. Then the children sang "Bub- bles, and the grown people just bubbled over for there was hardly dry eye in the crowd
 DO not ever be guilty of saying a bunch of grown men cannot enjoy Christmas tree, for I know better since I saw the one set up by the Rotarians It was a beautiful tree to begin with and tastily decorated, and the Kiwanians had kindly left the chimney for Santa Claus to com. down. There was general regret thal President Bush was kept indoors on ac- count of being indisposed but Vice Pres ident Woodall put snap into the meeting Talk about Sunday school picnic in. creasing attendance; it had nothing O.: the drawing power of the Christmas tree for the ''Rotes," for nearly every menber was present.
 And the members were as restless for the coming of Santa Claus as were the Riddles on the day before Finally, after long wait the red trousers were seen | e and a shout of joy went up, and soon John Sparrow. camouflaged all but his | nose, which no amount of paint could con ceal. stood forth as jolly an old ioy- giver as ever blessed any community and in his own inimitable way started the fun by saying that he came near hay. ing dreadful accident on account ot the fog, having for moment mistaker , Atlanta for city as big as Birmsng han
 Quite number of appropriate gift. were then bestowed on the expectan "Rotes.' Charley Perry got a comb Solon Jacobs a lovely boudoir cap: Tram Isushton pair of scales; Speedy Este. a chicken in a cage: Carson Adams { book of humor: Buster" Brow n a hobb, horse: P. s. Pevear car without fla wheels: Doe Piatt dog collar: Sol Ca heen some Christmas jewelry warrantet not to turn green in "A hours: De. Phil lips small dictionary: Oscar Underwoo, I a ticket to the United States Sareta