The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1941-12-25

| flre-guifed sowing center VIII DEFINITELY not
Letters
Letters to Santa Claus that have come to this
office from the youngsters Of the community have
several things in common. They the gimme
order quite naturally But there is an air of
restrained unselfshness in the of all Of them
Nearly all downright apologize about their
asking, amend their seeking with phrases like IF
you can" And then there is another note for
dozens of them asked Santa to remember little sis
ters and brothers. too young to write their own
messages think there is to believe in
| that kind of Santa Claus. But the topper Of
Gymrek, who, in lieu of toys if Santa already
out, would be happy with defense stamps. . A
star from Uncle Sam for you, Clara.
-Nightcap
There is something institutional about any Sat-
urday night in these han,lets But think the last
one before Christmas has a character all its own.
It's crowded to the counter rails. It's
characterized by one thing throughout. Everyone
is jovialy in hurry It's the real last minute rush.
It's that kind of hurry that kicks the shine
from your shoes; it's the kind of hurry that nudges
elbows into ribs. It's the kind of hurry
that pauses long enough to bleat out a hello or a
merry Christmas. Overhead the lighted Christ
mas bells dance in the wind. The store windows
pour out light and they beckon within. Cars
line the streets and the walk ways crowded
And person takes twice the room, bullying
with packages In the stores tired, weary clerks
and shopkeepers hustle furiously about . . It's been
long day and now at this last end the lap is
tough Trimmed shelves and mussed displays
are in the wake of showing, pushing crowd Later
the stream along the street begins thn-ts source
damned up Clerks hasten maddenngly with few
dle-hard customers Here and there light winks
of-the once blazing street becomes subdued in its
tone Here and there a grocer is tearing out
a fruit window, another is lighting long-awated
clgaret. clerk percheS counter for a
moments relief. Suddenly the shops regurgitate
their personnel of shop girls clerks and business
GERS The weary way home. The town goes
to sleep.
-FoDowup
1t seems that our little note on the Hildebrand
cat that eats raw potatoes just amt nuthn.' .
Louis Huber has Sptz dog that not only likes
raw potatoes-and carrots-but has been known to
dig his own carrot and sit munching it held be-
tween two paws Mgosh. Clayton Stegner
in near 20 years a rural mail carrier and that
spreads from the clop of horses roofs to the purr
of motor car-said that this fall of 1871 has
more changes his route among residents than any
other year in his experience. He estimates near
ly Is such changes to and from his route from
one farm to the other. Signs of the times.
Lights
I like the walk home these winter evenings
just before the holidays. The ground is sfted with
melting snow. Brave little lights peer intently
from the windows smiling hard at the frowning
darkness. They all red wreathed and framed.
=. There is warmth thrown out from the home
circle within. If there lights in the
school there hopeful messages emblazoned
across the senior high school windows. All Of
them significantly carried the message of peace
of the commercial rooms of Lucy Hunt is the
sage in letters of red Ring out hate and strife,
ring in peace and good will" In the windows
of Helen Ranstads room Lillian Krogh's, and Mar
jorie Swanson and others from all sides of the build
ngs are sent out these messages The decorations
worked out by students and teachers together.
More than any other year they captions of hope
and courage in a world dark at times with despair
and fears ..
The lighted tree in the post office window is
Uncle Sans Christmas greeting to Main Street :.
Question
1t a fair question believe. The other
day young married man put up the proposition
of what to do with spare evening two a week.
few weeks ago wouldn't have been able
to give you an answer For his question had to do
with purely recreational things He pointed out
that after an eight ten hour grind all day there
was night or two that a man wanted to divert
himself entirely -. believe that's fair enough.
1t depends on what one has to do to be enter
tanned 1t is true that facilities in this town for
such outlet are extremely limited; since
the burning of the bowling alleys believe
in these days recreation is most important .
Slogan for America should be: Laughter as usual
But wasteful living should be tossed out the
window now.
In short time to be set UP certain civilian
agencies for the defense and promotion of the VIC
tory of the United States. Many of these will
evening or two should volunteer such services a
he may give to the committees that will be charge
or these actions Already there Is the states
Home Defense troops in the city where a young
man may enlist, learn to drill, learn to handle as
soldier himself learn about civil riot and defense
against 1t. It's a splendid chance to get together
with the fellows Monday night It's a way
to serve for the who Is not yet active in the
armed forces. For girls and young matrons
there Is Red Cross sewing There are afternoon
programs in the Club rooms; there are evening pro-
grams Materials available through Mrs. Sarte
Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Austin, for work to be done at
home. Have your friends for an evening
Let the women sew and knit for the Red Cross
Let the boys play poker If they want. Then
put on the pot for the purchase of defense stamps
or give 1t to Ward Roberts for the Red Cross War
Fund.