Evening star., 1933-12-24

Il New EOIk IIl6 OLIl6I llOA L1n4SJ
became aware Of the voices OF
~ two women sitting directly be-
hind me- I couldn't have
helped hearing them had I tried;
didn't try. One said: "Oh, I've tolo
everybody I'm not going, to give any
presents. and I don't want any. In
fact. I'm not going to do anything about
Christmas at all.
Tne second voice sighed. Il wish I
needn't, but Fred is so sentimental.
He will have Bess and Tom and Jane
and Bill and all their children troup-
ing in for Christmas dinner, and l
don't know how many outside children
he sends TOYS to. Ridiculous waste! Ana
this year, when his business is still so
bad, I can't understand it. He says
we can't possibly get a new car TINS
year! He is so inconsistent"
At this point we came into the sta
ton and heard no more. But as l
a6ea HP ths aou sexefa e fhns
I duly old-faShioned, because Christ
mas still held enChantment Tor me'
BECAUSE Rec was at that moment on my
things for cFi1dren's stocking? In fact,
as I continued walking along the side
walk, the air was filled with those
sounds and odors, which In themselves
awaken rnemories-sentimenta ones.
perhapsI The pungent pinewoods smell
of Christmas trees, piled up at the
entrance to a grocery store, the SOUND
of bell reins. which a vendor was jim
Cling. the squeak of toy bellows, the toot
of a horn! I had to watch my step
to avoid crushing some jerking ana
hopping toys, painted in every. color OF
the rainbow; tawdry, perhaps, but most
delectable.
bought a hopping Santa Claus. I
also bought a Christmas tree-a little
one-and a few ornaments to take the
place Of those which break from year
to wear. And on my way home, OF
course, I thought Of Christmas as IL
used to be. when We spent 1t In the
country and my own children were
little, I suppose We all hark back Wis.,
fully to such days at this season And
vet. whenever think of the spirit OF
Christmas, there is one single picture
that stands out all by Itself; IL Is q
picture of farm house, painted white,
with green shutters. The rooms were
low-so low that a man Of ordinary
height might with ease have laid his
ralfns up on the ceiling, which undu-
lated quite distinctly from half a CEN
Within the house there was an effect
of home-nke comfort, which at nrst
SIGHT suggested ease, especially in the
IiVinp room. with its pieces of good
furniture and its well-filled book shelves,
and its CHEEKY open fire. And, when
Won arrived at tea time, there was even
a hint of luxury in the brightly shining
beauty of the Georgian silver tea service.
If you went further than the first I'M
preston, you soon became aware OF the
need Of many, many things. II you put
your hands out on the seat OF the tu1teo
sofa. vou touched the spiral OF a spring,
which had pushed through all the pad
ding to the outer coveringl No amount
of sweeping could hide the great brown
places in the carpet, where the pattern
was worn quite away. Much OF the
furniture covering was darned and
patched, as were the stockings, frocks
and breeches of the numerous small
boys and girls.
Yet Christmas In that house was the
merriest, the happiest have ever seen.
And have known many Chrtstmases,
happily spent In lovely houses. Most OF
those OF my childhood were spent In q
big mouse, which made rather splendid
1estlvaI OF Christmas hospitality; 70 OF
~ or so Tor dinner. with presents at
places and presents again beneath the
tree In the drawing room, with shutters
and curtains closed, so that the lights
on tne Tree might be bright. And then
anotnST-d elganuc tree in the parn-
and Gil the children In the neighborhood
coming IN for presents. But among all
Ey memories, the spirit Of Christmas