The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-22
M E N w O M EN
 A N D THIN GS

couldn't catch the Christmas spirit, for somehow, with my namesake two inches taller than his dad, and the youngest pushing him close, l kind O felt that Santa Claus was leaving me in the Iurch.
 
 Now, I never want to get too old to miss the atmosphere which hovers around December .25, for it's about the most rejuvenating tonic that any one Tn middle life or on the other side of it can take. It beats all the physics in the drug stores, and makes one laugh at doctors. If the boys and girls in your home have grown up into men and women. and gone out to make nests of their own' l know you are lonesome.
 But God in His infinite goodness mace grandchildren to bless and cheer the hearts of grandparents, and if little ones have come into the homes of married sons and daughters, I am sure that the holiday of the infant child will make soft the heart of those whose locks are white with the snows of many winters. Some people laugh at the foolish love of grandparents g1 for their grandchildren, but to me it's a comforting thought, and one of the dearest things in all the world for parents to look forward to in their declining years
 l am sorry for those homes in which tEere is no childish prattle and excite ment on Christmas Eve night. I am in fintely sorry for any married couple who have never know the joy of having to put things into stockings hung up in won- der and awe by happy little ones. I am sorry for any home where a Christmas tree has never been brought in and oeco- rated to be danced around by happy chiidren's feet. There is nothing can compensate couple for the lack of children.
 As I walked the streets I soon caught the Christmas spirit. It is a wonderful thing this spirit of the Christ Child which comes down the ages with it's note of cheer and gladness. I am glad that it reaches out and envelops tenderly the older ones as well as the children. I ltoPC tHC SIOCAlHSS Ol every CnlIQ In the land will be well filled with toys and good things to eat. If yours is a childless home see to it that some boy or girl in your neighborhood whom Santa Claus will not visit unless you be one, will have the things which all children long for or Christmas morning.
 
 It may be you do not know or any waif. If so. then get in touch with one of the worthy local charities, and they will either give you child to care for or receive your gift and use it wisely. But there comes challenge not only to the chidless, but to those whose homes have been blessed with children It's the cry which comes from Europe and Asia. It is said that the cry of the child is the same around the world. Let each one of us do our best to stop the crying of the little ones wherever the cry comes from
 But back to my stroll on the streets, and to my saunterings in the stores and shops. I am heaven-born shopper. I think it's the greatest fun in the world. am strong for early Christmas shop ping. There is absolutely nothing to be said against it. It is the thing to do, but somehow I like to be jostled just love the confusion and the rush. am afraid l am a plebe;an, for I have never cared to be exclusive I do not wish to have the drawing room when travel. l want to go up and down the
 
 One of the things which I can never forget is that one Christmas morning had just arrived, and went out of the great railway station all alone Into Paris just as day was breaking. It had been some years since I had had the smell of the Parisian boulevards in my nostrils, and I scented the odor from afar off, and it was like strong wine in it's overpower- ing effects As this is not to be story on smells I'll not try to prove that each city mas, an odor all it's own.
 L~went out into the streets and opened my arms as if to take all Paris in my embrace, for somehow the first time 1
 
 | it which is the dominating passion of every true Parsan. It is the thing which makes him content to remain at home while all the balance of the people are giving themselves to travel He feels that sooner or later that everything worth hearing or seeing will come to him, and it does
 But I didn't start out on my walk to rave over the capital of France. I lugged it in because as I walked the streets os Birmingham on Tuesday morning Il br ought back to me the Christmas holi- days which I had spent on the banks | of the Seine Around Christmas on the wide boulevards permission is given to erect boutiques. where every kind of | Christmas goods are offered for sale. 1t adds it's own distinctive touch to the gay scene.
 | We'll, here in Birmingham I was glad to | find that parts of the sidewalks around many of theAdowntown corners had been | converted into stands upon which were piled apples, oranges, bananas, grape | fruit lemons, candies. vegetables and all manner of eatables. The street fakirs were busy with their mechanical toys l The cry of the vendors rent the air Everywhere there was holly and thistle toe; but best of all over the crowds float ed the spirit of Christmas.
 l After strolling up and down the streets | I entered the markets and looked at the many tempting things displayed for the good housewives. and those who have doubted the ability of the housekeeper tc :, buy real, sure enough Christmas d.n- ner in the local stores will have to give I it up that their anxiety was without I f<-, ayxvv f-lra af a ur