The Wilmington morning star., 1940-01-25
FIFTEEN

Oll yOu1 o4SkASo
tie hat. Muster your young singers
to carol out Christmas joy. Wha'
business have you feeling sorry TO-
yourself? Dicks in California witt
the Havilands. Gertrude's at Cannes
Nicky is having a Christmas eve
party. And you're in New York WITT
nothing to do on the n day Of
the year when no wants to pe
alone.
But you're not alone. Think OF
all the people you know in New
York. People who'll get up at noon
and drink the day away. But they're
there if you want them.
Meanwhile you've got to spread
Christmas cheer.
In her purse there was a roll Of
crisp new one-dollar bills. In a big
basket in her office, there were one
hundred and ten presents. Pocket
books and harmonicas, toy train!
and dancing dolls, gay bandanas
and bright neckties. Fabienne's
presents to be added to the settle
ment gifts. For Nicky, Gertrude
and the rest of her family, she hae
bought one book each; the rest Of
her Christmas money she hae
spent to bring pleasure to those who
needed it TO-
She tried to think Of that, in
stead of the loneliness of her ex
pensive hotel room, when she start
ed out with her little band on theil
itinerary to cover the neighbor
hood.
"Si-hi-lent night Hooo-oh-l5
night 80"
Time and time again the childish
voices lifted in the old hymn, with
ash cans for a back ground and ar
elevated rumbling overhead; but
with lifted, shining faces thai
drew listening, moved audiences al
they toured the neighborhood blocks
From the shops and the bars, the
subway kiosks and tenements theil
audiences applauded and asked fol
more, called CHEEKY greetings.
"a merry Christmas to you"
"a merry Christmas to you!" The.
called back and moved on.
Back to the settlement house a
eight o'clock. Santa Claus - MI
Brown (the athletic INSTRUCTOR =
stood merry and very Christmaslikt
in his pillow.padded red suit ant
beard. The presents were distribut
ed and hastily opened. "Auld Lang
Sygn" was sung. The lights of the
Christmas tree burned brightly a!
they filed out of the hall, eager t.
be away, to take their treasures
home.
Fabienne's bags were in her Of
flee.
Ellen said, "a merry, merry
Christmas to you, Fabienne. I hope
it's the happiest of holidays for you
Wen look for you the day afte,
New Years. Sure you don't wan
me to drive you to the station?"
mo, thanks, Ellen, I'll get a cab
Run along now. You've been work
ing hard all day. And I wish yo1
a very happy holiday, too"
She went to the door with Ellel
and returned to her office will
heavy footsteps. She put the bag
in a supply closet and turned of
the lights.
At the corner Of the street sh'
raised her hand to hail a taxi ant
changed her mind. She had nothing
to do with her Christmas Eve. Sh'
might as well walk and tire her
self out so that she would not Ii
awake and be sorry for herself. Sh'
plunged her hands into her pocket
ard set off up the crowded street.
Across Henderson street, dow
Blake street, in the general direc
ton of Fifth avenue, she pushed for
ward, stopped only by the red traffi
lights.
Suddenly a small figure darted i
and out of the traffic and Benn
Kormendi caught up with her.
Benny! What is a little boy Xix
you doing out at this time?"
was ten o'clock and Benny was onl
six.
His small face worked with e1
citement. 1--WE got a new kid, Mis-
Seymour, and Nom can't go out I
get nothing to eat. I gotta go sc
my aunt and get something for til
rest of the kids"
you mean you have a new bah
at your house?" She was remen
bering the Kormendi family. SIEVE
children and the father hadn
worked in two years. "And yo
haven't anything to eat?"
"My aunt'll give us something
he told her.
where does she live?"
He told her an address that VIZ
two miles or more away.
Come with me-" she said, takir
his hand. There were plenty
stores in the neighborhood. "
could buy any and all Of the nece
sites of life in that neighborhood.
Fabienne bought all that 81
could think of. Small blankets-n'
very good ones, but warm-and
hot water bottle She bought dol
and stockings and a holly wreat
And food; meat and vegetables, mi
and bread and ice cream. When 81
and Benny could carry no more, 81
said, LEAD on, Benny, We'll tai
your mother a Christmas present.
The Kormendi's-all ten Of the
lived in two dreadful little room
But when Fabienne came in
them, with her rms filled, tt
Christmas shirt came with her. MI