The Omaha guide., 1946-12-21
ALONG
MY WAY
CHRISTMAS A EARLY

Il just don't see how the chill
dren will have much of a Christ
mas this year. Dad is sick in the
hospital and what little we are
making we use up before we get
it in order for the children to re-
main alive. Tom needs shoes now.
His feet are almost on the ground.
1t is almost an impossibility for
the children to have much this
year., rthe mother said to he
eldest daughter while standing
before the coal stove early one
morning.
There were only ten-days be-
fore Christmas and things did
look dark for the Adams family
this year. The only one of the
family that knew it was going to
be a Merry Christmas was little
Paul. Paul was only six years old
but he had written his letter to
Santa Claus and he believed that
Santa would bring all the things
he had asked for.
We'll have to get Paul some
thing, the eldest daughter in
formed her mother. 1.-THE older
children might understand, but
not Paul. He believes in Santa
Claus and there is no way to
make him understand different"
Four days passed and then Paul
was out of the first grade for a
glorious week. Christmas vaca-
ton was here and Paul was hap
py, because he could help with
the Christmas tree. He had al
ways wanted to help decorate the
Christmas tree, but last year he
was too small. This year mother
said he could help and he had
been looking forward to it for the
past year.
Paul would often go uptown
with his older brothers, looking in
the store windows at all of the
beautiful. shining toys. He would
say to his older brothers.: 81 ask
ed Santa Claus for that, and I
told Santa Claus that you wanted
pointing all the same time
in the window.
"You still believe in Santa
Claus" the brother Of ten asked
Paul.
"Of course" Paul answered.
Say Mister Paul shouted to a
man towering over him. There
is a Santa Claus, amt there?"
Don't say amt" the brother
of ten shouted at Paul.
Young man let me tell you
something and if anybody tells
you different they are are wrong.
There is a Santa Claus and he
will visit your house as well as
mine on Christmas Eve. You Just
believe there is a Santa Claus and
he will bring you what you want
for Christmas. What do you want
for Christmas?" the elderly gen
tleman asked Paul.
Paul just remained silent look
ing at all the toys III the window.
Tell me what you asked Santa
Clau to bring you?" the man in
quired further.
Paul finally realized the gentle
man was talking to him, "Oh. /
asked Santa to bring skates for
Jimmy; a sled for Elmer; and an
iron for mother. I asked him to
bring all Of us something and he
will bring them" Paul said.
"Sure he will bring them. the
gentleman said as he walked
away.
When the boys finally arrived
home from their window shopping
the food was already on the ia
BILE. Cornbread and beans with
plenty of onions. 1t was just what
tire boys liked. They washed hur-
riedly, rushing to the table. yell
ing in unison, Mama. I'm. hun
CRY" Before she could answer
their plates wer on their way to
being emptied.
rs daddy coming home for
Christmas" Paul asked him mo
Their.
I'VE all hope so, Paul" the mo-
Their answered, wiping his mouth
all the same time. You children
mustn't stay out so late. All Of
you get ready to go to bed"
Cant we listen to Captain