Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-14
ny CLARENCE FORD. Jn.


1t was Christmas Eve In the year
1921. Through a binding snow
: storm, stumbled the figure OF a man.
And yet he could hardly BIO called
n man-this humaR,' wreck: this dere.
lict. Pulling. his badly worn coat
closely around his shrivled body. ne
: turned tho corner and directed his.
steps towards the, thoroughfaro of
the city. a canopy of snow covered
the brilliant lights on tho street and
the sparkling rays seemed to radiate
happiness on the faces of tho
pedestrains-save this lone. desoiate
ngurc. His taco was void of glad
ness; I'M Its place was plainly written
sorrow and dissipation. The weak
lines about his mouth displayed lack
= Of will power and determination.
Finally his eye was attracted by a
small crowd standing in front OF
toy shop. Moving nearer the window
: he perceived n sight that brought i
faint smile to his face. The con-
glomeration OF toys amazed him.
There were railroad trains. fire en-
. slties. automobiles, tea sets, dolls,
= velocipedcs apd every other toy
= imaginable.
AS nc stood admiring these littla
messengers OF Joy. Il very vivid pic
ture was due from his memory.
He could see the wealthy home In
= which he WAS raised and the hustle
and CONFUSION that was manifcsted
on Christmas morning when "hc" re-
celved his" toys. What "A joyous time
these toys had brought him! Sud-
denly. his face clouded again and
: took on the old expression as u sec
: md picture appeared before him. lie
recalled the dwindling of his fathers
fortune and the sudden death OF his
parents. His lie from that time on
was very unw!seiy spent. Oh. II he
had only saved the money his par
cnts had left him instead of throw
Ing II away on pleasure and bad
manag emcnt. How many times hs
had regretted that his mother and
father had not laugh, him the i'm
portance of thrift during nis child
hood. Entering manhood not know
Ing the value OF money was his
handicap. He had often tried TO save
during his married lie after his In
4 heritance had vanished but the con-
tinuation OF giving In 10 his whirns
!ng his youth st!ll clung TO hir, UNI
I'll in his mind lie felt that he could
never save. oh, the picture OF his
lie was 80 plain 10 him now az he
stood before the window, Gradually
as the years few by. his life became
more bitter until rather than to
lag further disgrace to his wife
and children. he had left home. His
4 iace twi,ched In pain as n sudden
thought darted through his mind.
His boy ana girl--wouid they have
toys this Christmas? He hung his
head In shame. Never had the real!-
81 zation Of his true self been more
dominant than at this moment. s.If
he could only return to his faithful
wife and loving children tonight.
Hq banishcd the thought from his
mind. He would never 20 back 10
a his iiamiiysun;!l he was . man and IL
h" could never rise again
VI. VAS aroused from his dream BY
"a little ncwsboy .turEing at his coat
i Hey. mister. what's de matter /!
Amt you got no money to buy your
little Children some toys"
The man looked at this little stroa.
4 urehin. startled to know that his
thoughts could be so plainly reaa
q by mere child.
"No." he replied. Il have no money
10 buy my little boy and girl toys"
' "W'hy don't you save your money!
i asked The boy In bcwildcrment.
The man held his head in shame
I and the hoy continued.
e! saved my money dis year
through de, Christmas saving club