The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-01-04
Vermont Mutual Fire Insurance Co.
John C. Grimm Co., Agts., Skowhegau
From o Well Known New Hampshire
Journalist

The following is sentiment writ
ten and issued last December by
Charles G. Jenness, business manager
of the Rochester IN. H) Courier.
Mr.. Jenness was for fifteen years sec
rotary of the New Hampshire Weekly
Publishers Association and Is one OF
the leading figures in the publication
industry in his state. What he mas
here written will command itself we
are very sure, as a practical common
sense thought for the holiday season
or any other time of year.
Down the snowy roadway, almost
under the Office window beside which
I write, and between our building and
the river, the merry children are slid
ing. Laughing, good natured, care
free, warmly Clad y-go-lucky
boys and girls; what care they for
the rigors of New Hampshire win
ter, or for the scarcity of coal, If only
their sleds are in order, and no one
is In the road? Just beyond, bord-
ering the river bank, the wheels OF
the big wooden mills are turning by
day and by night, stopping only this
rest commanded by Him whose birth
the whole Christian world Is celebrat-
ing. None of our workers are on a
strike. The whole town is busy.
Surely, all we who live in Rochest-
err, old and young, should have very
Merry Christmas. But We are but a
a dot on the nations map. What
about the others?
Last summer 1t was my happy pri-
vilege to travel some seven thousand
miles by train and auto out into the
far western country-the wild and
woody west" What. thought I, do
these people posses,-these folks so
far removed from our own change
able and delightful New England
for which to be especially thankful?
And | found out. | saw, as never
before, a sober, temperate, Industrious
nation-not an intoxicated person in
sight for an instant during all those
thousands of miles of journeying and
junketing through many state. The
trip was a veritable outing of wond-
ers-wonders in rugged mountain
scenery, seemingly never-ending
prairies, desolate desert lands, spout
ing and steamng geysers, entranc-
beautiful canyons, picturesque
and primitive Indian encampments,
big and busy cities, and lone cabins
in the wilderness--and, strangest OF
all, not solitary drunken man to
be seen in all the long journey.
think this was the supreme wonder
OF them all.
But what has all this to do with
Christmas? Simply this: that count
less thousands, especially women and
children. will find increase of Christ
mas JOY because we. as nation, have
discovered that wine is mocker,
strong Grink raging. and whatsoever
is deceived thereby Is not wise"
Surely, the whole people of our
country should have joyful Christ
mas this year,
Blessed indeed, many times blessed.
are we among the nations Of the
world today. And may We individ-
ually do what we can so easily do
bring some added happiness to the
life of some child, old person, rela-
tive or friend who, perchance, might
not otherwise be remembered on this
day above all others when cit is. more
blessed to give than to receive" Some
one has most truly said that the way
to have friends is to be one; let me
add that the way to possess an abun-
dance of happiness is to make others
happy. What an opportunity is ours
right now. not alone at home, but
far beyond the seas, where the raw
ages of hideous war has made sad
and countless thousands of human be-
ings like ourselves.
Yes, my friend, right Happy
Christmas to you, and may the true
Christmas spirit be with you all thru
the years.
CHAS. G. JENNESS.
Rochester, n. H., December. 1922.