The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1920-12-16

kHfNtfJsd as though every time she
TWT turned around she should |
see a daughter or a son |
or small chubby child OF
- her own--one OF those she |
had dreamed Of and who had never
stepped outside Of her dreams.
Yes She, Gertrude Harding, wns a
"bOrn mother" TO whom no children |
had been born.
But this year she had forgotten
something most important to be done.
And It was only seveell days before
Christmas.
She went down town. made her pur-
chase after quite delay and left the
shop.
Outside we're three small children,
their faces close against the window
pane. their eyes cleaning. their small
ill-clad bodies tense and qulverlng
with emotion.
saw. gee, look at II stop at the sta
lions There. she's OF the track now
No, she amt. She's back on again."
The second child was reading a sign.
'They says that In this here shop
that It's the land where the dreams of
children come true. Dye suppose
they's kiddin'T
The third child, a little girl. who
was clutchlng what once had been a
doll was looking at one In the shops
window.
IF could jes' touch her hair" she
sighed.
"would you like to 20 inside the
shopf" Gertrude Harding asked the
children.
They looked at her abruptly. "D'ya
mean III"
And through the shop, straight to
the chlldrens department she took
them
II was a revelation TO her TO realize
the Joy that was derived by these
children from the intimate contact
with toys they knew they could never
own.
They had gone inside one Of the big
shops and had been treated as we'll as
anybody; they had not been afraid.
They had looked to their hearts con-
tent.
"lt's true--what they's said" the
children agreed afterward, "in there II
Is the land all right, where children's
dreams come true" For the reality OF
Fairyland had been expressed by the
marvellous and magical toys and games
and gay decorations OF the Christmas
shop.
II, Gertrude Harding told herself
afterward, these children had so loved
trip into the gayety OF a chlldren's
shop, were there not others who would
like 70 journey forth into the world OF
toys, too3
She thought II over. And did not
stop there. She rang up certain
number and asked for the matron.
"You're the matron OF the Children's
hospital, aren't your Well. won
dered II any OF your children would
care TO go with me tomorrow and take
a trip through the chlldren's toy shopsI
They're most attractlvely fixed up this
year and some OF them have special
attractions, Santa Claus and many
other wondrous featuresi'
SO Gertrude Harding called for the
children. There were 10 who we're
able TO go and Of that 10 the majority
were motherless.
Such an afternoon as Gertrude
Harding had. And such an afternoon
as the children had.
Those In the shops seemed especial
ly anxious TO do what they could for
the children who were so obviously
from home or hospital. The mechan-
ical toys even seemed TO put more
spirit into their performances Ger.
trude Harding thought
AS they were coming home several
little hands found their way into both
OF Gertrude Hardlngs hands. One
clutched o little finger. another had
hold Of her thumb; so Il went.
Mrs." one OF them ventured. Tets
pretend we're all children from a kin.
dergarten and that you're our teach.
err. Don't let's pretend we're from a
hospital. chr"
"Yes, let's pretend that" she an.
swered them. cor how would Il do 10
pretend that | was your mother and
that you were all my chlldrenT
"Would you-honest--would you
pretend thatr one asked and the 9th.
ers looked at her eagerly. hoping, hop
ing, hoping she would not refuse.
"rhat would be the best pretend
OF all, she smiled at them.
SO they pretended" and 80 they
went back very happily from their
Christmas shopping trip.
Once again she took them. on the
day before Christmas. II was hard
getting through the crowds. but II was
worth every effort
In one OF the shops a gayly dressed
clown led the children In a process
sion. Once In a while he turned and
winked at them as though TO say;
1--WE know what fun all this ls.
don't wei We're In the secret OF the
fun that children can have at Christ.
mas time thai the srOwn-ups hDOw