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About The Adel news. (Adel, Ga.) 1886-1983 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 1900)
Christmas, 1900. A a , 1 ’Twill Y When dreadfully nothing STOCKING hold Santa at next small; ail Claus to is <1 brings His toys and things— A to op and a knife and a ball. “I’ll hang one of grandpa's in line And Santa will think it is mine, And in they will go. From the top to the toe, His presents so jolly and fine. “What a capital joke it will be! O dear, if I only could see How he’ll open his eyes, And stare with surprise— Then hurry and fill it for me!” At night on a keen, frosty breeze, When moonlight was gilding the trees, He came in a hush. With a rattle and rush. And Teddy’s big stocking he sees. “Well! .well!” shid the merry old chap, “I’ll give him, I think, a fur cap. I’d like if I can To suit the old man While he is enjoying his nap.” Next morning with laughter and shout, The children came tripping about. All dancing with glee, Their stockings to see, With Santa Claus’ gifts peeping out. “That monster big stocking’s for me,” Cried Ted, with a chuckle of glee. “It’s cram full of toys. Do look at it, boys! Just wait till I show you—now see!” Then Teddy lay back with a moan, And cried with a sob and a groan— “O how could he make Such an awful mistake? I wish I had hung up my own.” —Sydney Dayre, in Christian Work. -A- HowIHIe = =9 f % / w fi m Wui’i His A RINICLES of care furrowed the fore¬ Mi head of John How¬ ard, wholesale leath¬ er merchant of New V) It .'III York, as he sat in the library of his home, and his hair was tossed into disorder by the combing of his nervous fingers. His dull eyes gazed into the red depths of a great fire, but read no crimson pictures there. This was the man the world had called “complacent John Howard.” Eight years before, when he married, people expected a change in his habits, but they were disappointed. He had inerc- ly added another part to his t'chmefy- He had carefully chosen the kind of woman who would helplessly become a part, of a machine. When children came they, too, were com¬ pelled to become parts of the orderly, silent machine controlled by John Howard. Meek little mites they were. No one suspected that they were children. There were three of them; Mary, a girl of seven; Anna, a girl of five, and John, a boy of four. By direction of John Howard, good, plain names were given to them, names that would wear. Meek Mrs. How¬ ard would have chosen differently, but she was not consulted. When the children came, John Howard laid down the rules for their conduct and keeping; and never afterward bothered himgelf about them. If he saw them once a day it was by accident. One of his rules, conditions, was that he was never to hear them, save when he wished. As a result John Howard was a father without chil¬ dren—and the children had a living father, but were fatherless. All this would have continued but for one, inevitable, little incident in life called “death”—for death, after all, is a part of life, and dying very often the main part of living. The entrance of Mrs. Howard into the life of her husband had made no perceptible change in it. Her death had thrown every part of it out of gear. There were three waifs in his house who came at his bidding and looked at him in a fright¬ ened sort of way. “How was he to win the love of his chil¬ dren?” How John Howard longed to enter that play room! But he never dared. He was afraid his entrance would drive them forth, and he realized that this room was their own little world. Sometimes, in agony, he listened at the door, and learned how different they were from other children. How he longed for them to ask him for something! M'hat joy he would take in granting them any wish! But they had been brought up to ask for nothing, to ex¬ pect nothing, save on one day in the year. That day was Christmas. On that day they could expect wonderful new presents, they knew, from a mys¬ terious person called Santa Claus, The late Mrs. Howard had cultivated this one dear illusion in them, and so perfectly that they never dreamed that either she or their m 1 r I 1 IB 3 iyJ mkmm mm 'ffi IwS w| m Mi . i A iiil » , it 1 New Engiand school-teacher for this celi- cate position; and in less than a week she succeeded, by perseverance and industry, in casting more of a shadow over tfie lives of the three waifs than ever John Howard bad. But the waifs had been taught not to complain, and John Howard knew noth- ing about it. One lingering hope remained m his breast. Cohld he make the coming Christ- mas so happy for his children that he could win their love? He resolved that he would take charge of the holiday himself, and the preparations he made for it were extrava- gant. The presents purchased for ail the Christmas celebrations at his house were as nothing compared to the array that stood before him on the floor, on tables and on chairs, this Christmas when he sat so broken in heart before grate fire. Something had happened. A mistake had been made. The New England school- teacher, in the interests of white-winged truth, had told his children there was no I Jt r I ( . rf i U,’J V 2T U J I * & f Y X 7 ilOWiYNs i £ n 1 I m l' 1 I = Y \ . T 1/ m 4 (Kf'IWtV r -£,« % ' l t j l i s fi I ■■"J I tell m S i \\ II t. MU H » 3 (III h & W 2 m X- h y h, ■>2 IL i, Tty <5* i ! - I *<5 . J Uli ms. ' ' - T . p- /: m-. l Ic. 1 I J ^5; TS Jfl m m > H (jtmttl I m i> m = J$l YA m y?onc 3S — r i u j M 1 m f f V; m I', / J I (y T si / N/ k I L n % V&/ % % I V' 1 h V/ / v \ i i t / Yr : _ r i % 0-1 n * I ---X-J a p riff— I COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY A, N. KELLOGG NEWSPAPER CO. Old Father ZSime — *‘'COhat! Cfcoo of you. this timer JP'JT'PFCTAfJT and tvith open hands He lavished to gi-Oc a bueicome to _/r coming guest bvho’d soon be due, •/* urprised. in place of one sees tbvo! young J'fctv 3 fear before him stands. ^ ^/Ind on his shoulders strong and true Inother youngster brings to •oiebu. With streaming banner bright and netv: Santa Claus. This he had learned while listening at the door of their playroom that afternoon. And he, who had so carefully rehearsed the part of Santa Claus for the performance that night, felt that it would be a hollow mockery, now that they knew, as we all do some day, too much. With a promptness and decision that had characterized him always in business, John Howard peremptorily dismissed the New England school-teacher, giving her a month’s salary and no explanation for his strange conduct. The children should have the hollow mockery of Christmas 2 t any rate. But the essence of it was gone. He had heard his children declare, between sobs, that they would never hang up their stockings again, and after all it is the stocking and not the tree that is the es¬ sence of Christmas—and the mystery of mysteries thereof is the wonderful fact that Santa Claus can spend so much time and take so much pains in filling stockings. But John Howard was human. He liim- Si lad looked forward to this Chris greater expectations than had any of food and put on his dress- A^ymers. Th en., with a* a v, OUR ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT. he began to fill the stockings. It was.slow work. He had seen his wife do it once, He had watched her then in a mechan- ical sort of way. it was on the preceding Christmas eve. She was ill and nervous and afraid to go about the house alone. in a grumbling, protesting way he had accompanied her. How glad he was now that he had! He dropped a moderately heavy object into the «.oe ol each stocking- to hold it down— ihen an orange to make it capacious. fbis he slipped in a present for the of a surprise, and on top of the present he PJ“t a ‘ tick—tick—tick” layer of candy. He wondered that jne they dropped did not awaken of the candies as children. the sleeping He was slow at the work. It was early dawn when he finished. He blew out the lit- tie night lamp and sank into a chair, bun - mg his face in his hands, and his heart In memories. Suddenly he looked up and saw has three children standing about him in the arc of a circle. “It’s papa.” cried his eldest girl, rushing into his arms. "Papa is Santa Claus. It is papa who has been so good to us and we haven’t loved him.” “It’s papa,” echoed the younger daugh- ter. “Papa—Santy Close,” said the boy. And they, too, sidled up to him and clung to him. their little eyes beaming with love. And then John Howard knew that his stocking had been filled also-with the love of h;s chtldren.-Tom Hall, m The Criterion, j ; A Reminder for Papa, The children were making their plans for Christmas, and their mother was helping them, while their father was deep in his evening paper. But he could, hear, and this is what he heard: “What are you going to give papa?” asked the mother, “I think.” said the eldest, thoughtfully, “that I will give him an alarm clock.” “An alarm clock!” declaimed the moth¬ er. “Why do you want to give him an alarm clock?” “Because.” answered the child, with an ■larneStiK'SS that showed she had given the ■usonie thought, “if he has an alarm S’me 1 h£e h t e o W dJ£r ”-Chi- SLEEPING HEARTS. --— How Old Farmer Pettigrew Wa-kened Vo P to CKristma* Realities. . L d FARMER PET- * 1 TIGREW was driv- ing along the pike 'I __ ■-§ toward the county * town, the grays go- Jp. jjpr ® ing at a brisk rate, 1 ' that “There’s young Evans walk- ing," he said to him- ' -'•? self. “He is dressed . •. up as if he was go- ing to catch t h e ■ \ 4 ^ • train.” “Going up the road, Bob,” he said, as he passed the younger man. “I’m bound for town.” “I was going down by the train, but don’t mind riding behind your grays.” laughed the other, climbing in, “that is, if you’ll agree to bring my stuff back.” 1 TTPOJV its folds a legend reads Of the JVetv Century Just born. \7pon this Happy JVebtj gear's morn. Co grace the pages and adorn record made of coming deeds w By Father Time. Hobv fitting m tis {Che tveight of many years is his ) Cime counts his age by centuries! /. M. E, “So ’tain’t two wagon loads,” was the retort. He liked Bob Evans because he joked and laughed and was good company. "What’ll your load be?” he asked Bob, ii. gptf jjjijfflL____ llpk r . I , iilM 1 m 1 u |1 if l. 4 THE FIRST TIME IN TEN YEARS. as the hard mud flew frcm under the .'orses , feet. “Not much weight,” laughed his com¬ panion. “Christmas gifts. This is the time hen a little hey buys a lot of things ■whe an pen d- ing money for Christmas. There’s no one but me and mother now. We’d look fine making Christmas presents.” “That you would,” replied Evans heart- ily. “and it would make good old -\ U nt Pettigrew feel ten years younger. I wish > ou would.” “Now, Bob,” exclaimed the older mar “are you in earnest?” “Never was more so. She is often lone- some since your daughter moved west sho would be not only surprised, but hannv “What are you going to get Yddio*”" “Me? O I've been planning for month, A new dress for one thing. Book* C »T% wanted and some little knick-knacks Vnth ing is than too good for my wife. Sh.-'rW,.,, ' more I can ever give her. Rut I’m getting some things for mother too i wouldn't forget her. We’ll go over to morrow be over our afternoon presents.” and see how happy =h e ’li “I never did give anvthir.g ChrS,” cxcent a candy to the children on as said the old man. ’ About the middle of the afternoon Bob Evans hurried into the big dry goods store after numerous bundles. He was surprised to see o’d Farmer Pettigrew sitting at a counter near the front while an obsequious clerk was holding up folds of gray silk. Bob was so glad that he stopped to aid in the selection, and then went on his way. It was nearly dark when the two men met at the livery stable. Old Farmer Petti¬ grew was as excited as a boy. “Say, Bob, I bought her a chair, too, and a comb, and candy, And I’pa kind of ashamed to give them to her. And I sent Minnie ten dollars, registered letter, you know.” / Bob shook the old man’s hand. \ “I’m glad I came in with yoti-. I just wish I could see auntie when you give those things to her.” “I’ll tell you about it, Bob.” when But Bob he did went not over introduce .the next t i |je_ J c young man followed him out lot and asked him about th Farmer Pettigrew looked &tJ solemnly, a sort of quiver thern^B aH ”vV*ell, when I laid Boh^H. Christmas morning, out^H out. She didn't come thc^H I peeped in through Mat she was n. h< r kn> • . didn’t calculate it M M such effect. Bob." Boh’.- Jk H New Year, 1901. ^ /S & (j / 5 * ■y Q , i Wm ---— A M E those mon- archs, grave and hoar, ^.With ■) goodly their store. gifts a Gold and ftankin- cense and myrrh, On that holy night of yore— Ator, Sator, Sarasin, In their hallowed purpose kin, Following the guiding star, Each a sacred goal to win. Did they bear their offerings, Such a wealth of precious things, Unto one of princely place, Sprung, like them, from earthly kings? Nay, but to an infant born In a lowly spot forlorn. Yet around whose glorious face Shone a halo like the morn! For a spirit unto each Spake in no uncertain speech, Saying: “In a manger lies One who God to man shall teach; “One who shall the night o’erthrow, Bearing heaven with Him below— Love that triumphs over hate, Peace and joy that conquer woe.” So those monarchs, men of fame, Bowed before Him, blessed His name. Laid their offerings at His feet, Passed as swiftly as they came. Stretch the years, a checkered chart. Since they- played their deathless part. Yet to-day may we. like them, Giving, hold the Christ at heart. —Clinton Scollard, in Woman’s Home Com¬ panion. WORKS NOTHING BUT GOOD. Two-Fold Benefits Dorived from Mark¬ ing New Year Resolutions. Notwithstanding the army of very wise and very cynical people who sneer at New Year's resolutions, I’m going to boldly an¬ nounce myself here as one who believes in them. I do not hesitate to say that I have made them every year since I was old enough to think about such things, and I expect to keep it up as long as I live. More¬ over, I want my girls to get into the same habit, for I consider it good ar.d helpful- But, girls, don’t take it up as a pastime, or confide in anyone who happens to be present. Be in earnest about it. Go away by yourself for a little while and examine your character honestly. Don't make ex¬ cuses to yourself because there are flaws in it; don’t attempt to lay the blame upon anyone else; don't console yourself with the thought that you are no worse than your neighbor. , Shut out all the world, face your conscience bravely, and he honest with yourself, if only for a little hall' hour. It cannot help but do you good. Character is spmi thing we build for our¬ selves. We, and we alone, are responsible for it. We have no right to'asserf that en¬ vironment or hereditary influences prevent us from reaching our own ideals. There is nothing but our own moral laziness to pre¬ vent us from being what we really want to be. The benefits arising from the making of New Year resolutions are twofold. It iB good for us to acknowledge a fault and wjsh to overcome it; it is good for us to resolve to do better, even if the resolution is des¬ tined to be broken, for th^ soul lives on these breaths from the upper realms of life.—Minneapolis Housekeeper. A Hint for CHrlstmas. Here is a hint for those who are too poor to give many Christmas gifts: write Christ¬ mas letters. It is the thoughtfulness and the love that count, not the gift itself. Choose among your acquaintances a dozep lonely ones, whether poor or rich, old or young, and have a letter to each ready to mail in time to reach its destination on Christmas morning. No matter about hav¬ ing any news to write; just good wishes, and a tithe of the good words you will speak about your friend after he is dead. They will warm his heart now, which is far better. It is the season to give; and the only thing at all worth giving is oneself.— Chicago Standard. SH© Knew. Sunday School Teacher (illustTating the workings of conscience)—What is it, chil¬ dren, that makes you feel uncomfortable when you have eaten all your Christmas candy and not given any of it to your little friends who had none of their own? Little Ethel Beenthere—Tumdch-ache, ma’am.—Judge. Don’t Go by Talk. “Talk ortn’t to be relied on too much,” said Uncle Eben. “ ’Tain’ necessarily de man dat made de mos’ New Year’s resolu¬ tions dat’s goin’ ahead livin’ de mos’ or¬ derly an’ ’spectable.”—Washington Star. A BIG FAVOR.. 32®- ‘if t 1 lif- I PI r* V / m % 733 Gerrgle—M,'. 1 fill you do me a favor? Mother-—Y es, you don’t ask too big a efe. good-sized Gecrgie—Wei a pretty uf ’ bo*-: y one your one, maw —1 stociin’s t’ hai tfar.sjn qs.—Ohio State Jo ^^little VKIapinj. Tommy so sad on ‘■hristmas day?” asked Fos- -ts are all unbreakable,” re- Nxown Topics. o' -- V. Doubt. u going to get loblemen are 51 blest if-'I
