Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-08
TIL; TRUE MEANING OF
CHRISTMAS.

"A restless man paced the floor OF
handsome living room. a scowl was
upon his face. but why? Everything
In the room, from the rug on the floor
to the lovely wall papering above,
said by Its looks and palmer than
words. HE has plenty OF riches"
Was it the loneliness OF the great
stone house, with no patter OF happy
little feet that brought the frown
upon his face? But n peep into his
heart shows US no such yearning.
Why. then? Happy Christmas JOYS
were there and all were singing with
delightful anticipation save this GER
tam man who should have been hap
piest of all, for had he not money?
II was In his power to help many
but. listen! He is speaking aloud,
seemingly to the polished furniture,
christmas has come. Ah how hate
Christmas. Money. money, money,
Everywhere money. Hep tn pore,
mister, Hep tn pore That's all to
it. Why should they have all the
money" He muttered an angry eS
ciamation and threw himself into n
chair. only TO resume his restless
pacings once more. Suddenly he
turned and walked quickly into the
nall. Selling his hat and coat. he
stepped out into the cold and was
soon lost in the shadows.
Charles Kennedy was man OF i'm
menSe stature and fortune, yet never
had he been known to raise n finger
TO help soul on Christmas. lie re-
snrded the poor as beggars-not to be
aiiowed to have any joys. He took
them ms matter of course. not as his
brothers. his fellow creatu
When Kennedy left home he had No
IDEA where he was going. He simnIv
wandered around aimlessly, alone,
with his bitter thoughts. Suddenly
ne came I'm sight OF a poor cottage.
He had wandered further than he
thought and was now in a meaner
part OF the large city Of
There were no curtains to hide what
was going on inside and, before he
thought, he had stopped to view the
little scene inside. \ woman and n
girl about IL years old were trying
to decorate. with poor presents. n
large tree. Suddenly the woman COW
cred her face with her hands and
cried brokcnly. "Oh, daughter. we
cannot do 1t! How can we make
something out OF nothing?" The girl
put her arms about her mother try
ing to comfort her. There, mother"
she murmured. but tears were in her
cyes. Kenncdy's heart was touched.
AT last he was awake. He hurried
over to small store and purchased
all that was suitable for four or 0yo
children-and that was enough TO
make the shopkecpcr's eyes open in
establishment Then Kennedy piled
the packages up at the front door of
the house he had Just left. and
Knocked. There was no answer.
Again he knocked. and was about to
hide. when the door was suddenly
opened and the 12-year-old girl
stared at his presents Mother.
mother she called excitedly. come
quickly" Her mother fastened to
her and. in his delight at watching
their joy, Kennedy forgot to he eau
tious The girl discovered him. "Oh"
she cried, at is you who have given
us this Joy. May God bless your To
his lifelong day, Kennedy rcmembc
ed her happy face, and he felt as
great n joy as she. IT am glad to be
able to help YOU" he said. resting
his hand upon her curls. She smiled
up at him. You are good. kind
man." she cried, and, throwing her
arms about his neck, she pressed n
KISS upon MS cnecR. God nelp you
child" he murmurcd.
Many families were made happy
that night. for the Christmas spirit
had found its way into n lonely
mans heart. and he saw at last why
Christmas was n joy. After reaching
homo, tired. but happier than he had
been for many years, he sat down
before the fire and thought OF his
happiness that he had just passed.
His hard face WAS softencd and he
murmured. God has shown me the
true meaning Of Christmas. which Is
love. He gave his Son 10 the world
because he loved it, and on Christmas
we give -also--bccausc we love" Aud
so one man, ut least. that Christmas
had been made better to serve God
by being shown the true meaning Of
tho blessed day. Christmas.
HARRIET d. SMITH.
<Tho End.)