Milford chronicle., 1939-01-06
FED UP
Laura Gray

Two women gazed into toy-shop
window on Christmas Eve.
IF only / had money I'd buy that
large doll-buggy for May and the
electric train and yards of tracks for
Bob! I'd love to be able to give the
children a really wonderful Christ
mast" Mrs. Blye, the younger woman,
glowed wistfully.
Isn't there something you'd like
for yourself?" asked the older
friend.
20, yes-but it's much more fun
buying for the children"
Then, are you being fair to them?"
How do you mean?" the mother
questioned almost Indignantly.
Would it harm the children to have
lovely things?"
"No. but would it make them genu-
inely happy?"
After few minutes thought, You
mean the youngsters, like myself,
could get more pleasure out of Civ
ing? don't agree. They know
nothing about that kind of happiness
they are too young"
well, I must catch this car. See
you on Christmas Day." Mrs. Greer,
the friend, hurried off.
In the Blye sitting-roOm, Bob,
twelve, unwrapped small parcel; it
was one of several he had opened, for
this was Christmas morning. With
scarcely a glance at the gift-he
hurled it into the litter of tissue
paper. "Shucks, I've got three
knives already" He kicked his sis
through a glass door.
For shame, Bob. and you with so
many fine things!" scolded the mo-
ther.
"They aren't fine! Where's the cleo
trio train l wanted? I'm not going to
that party tomorrow either-I'm fed
up with parties!"
You naughty, ungrateful boy!"
The mothers temper rose. She
pushed him into his room and closed
the door. picked up the daughter,
now crying loudly over her abused
bear. and carried her into her room.
Alone in the living-rOom, Mrs.
BIye sank on the lounge utterly mis-
cradle this Christmas Day.
Mrs. Greer came in.
81 hate Christmas" Mrs. Blye |
sat up, without money! If only
could have bought the train! Bob is |
older now and needs better things"
mo, my dear, the train is not the |
his heart Graves" The |
friend sat down beside the distraught /
mother. /
What is it them"
81 learned one lesson from my |
Jimmy when he first went to kinder !
yarten. There he made me and his |
ather a present each. Days before
Christmas he tied up the mysterious
,arcels.- / wasn't allowed to come
nto the room. He just glowed with
happiness and importance. On
Christmas he left his own toys and
tood by. radiant. as | unwrapped a
blotter with a picture of
luck pasted on it-and he only
ive!"
my Bob's fed up with Christmas
lready!" unused the mother.
"I'm not surprised. For weeks shop
windows have been full of Christmas
lifts. Papers, magazines and the ra-
10 blare forth the importance Of
uying presents. School ends with a
oncert. a tree. presents and carol
inging. So does the music class. the
unday School. Christmas trees.
toys! How could an intelli-
ent child be anything but fed upT"
81 never thought of that" respond
Mrs. Blye.
"If | were raising family again.
ontinued her friend, "I'd try to CEN
er the thoughts of my little ones on
hat they wanted to give rather than
hat they wanted for themselves. I
d try to make their own giving a :
cry big part of the festival. I'd ex-
lain that the Santas they see in so I
ANY stores are only men dressed up {
, entice people into the shops to :
n.y.. and not the benign saint him
Elf would tell them the Christ 7
as story. as something wonderful. I
eautifuI-sacred. I would try to lead :
lem to share in that magical some r
ling. the Spirit of Christmas. for
ny. and not the benign saint him n
one another, and depends not at 4
/ upon the state of ones purse" q