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THE YALE EXPOSITOR, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1917 Curisttnas BY WILLIS B&OOICS (Copyright, 1917, Weatern Newspaper Union.) OUR village paper had Issued a very creditable Christinas edition. I was looking over the news sec tion by the front window. My wife sat near, absorbed in the story part. "What's that?" she asked, listening. She was always on the lookout for more eggs. What she heard certainly did sound like n hen announcing the arrival of one-twelfth of a dozen. "That," I answered, "Is Ezra Barn stable In a state of amusement." We looked through the window, and, pure enough, here he came down the street, an expansive smile Illuminat ing his moonlike face. "What on earth can the man be laughing so about nil alone?" my wife wanted to know. She was that way never content to let n man be happy unless she knew the reason why. So I went to the door and sang out to Ezra, "Isn't It kind of stingy to en Joy It all by yourself?" When he had unwound the wool tip pet from his neck and taken the rock ing chair which the missis had set be fore the fireplace for him he leaned back and cut gashes In the atmos phere with another flourish of his sharp eachlnnations. "I've heard o' Santa Claus plajin' tricks before now," said he, "but I don't guess he ain't never played none no funnier than this. "It was like this: Three, four days ago my boy Cliet come home with a rabbit one o' them big white critters with the pink eyes that he'd swapped off one o' his mittens to the one armed Mayhew boy fer. When he come In, luggln' the thing In his arms, his ma nst him whose it was, an' he said It was hls'n an Its name was Jimmy an' Eddie Mayhew give it to him. "'Them Mayhew boys ain't glvln' notbin' away fer nothin'," says she. What'd you give him fer It?' "Chet knowed he was cornered, so he owned up that he'd give Eddie one o his wool mittens. 'I don't never wear but one much anyhow, says he, 'an, besides, Eddie's a poor, one armed boy, an' his hand was cold, an' it was comln Chrls'mus.' "I seen the look In his ma's eye, an' I felt sorry fer Chet, so I says, 'Chet,' says I, severe-like, 'you come to the barn along of me,' like I was goln' to lick him. "That satisfied his ma. So Chet an' me went to the barn an' made a box to keep the rabbit In. I knowed the thing 'd freeze to death If he kep' It anywheres but In the house, an' I knowed his ma wouldn't listen to his doln' that, so I puts him up to glttin' rid of It by lnvttln' his Cousin Artie over fer Chrls'mus an' glvin It to him fer a Chrls'mus present. "Artie, you know," Ezra explained, is my wife's brother's boy. You re member my wife's brother, Dan Baker, over In Center township, the one that riled an' left a widder with eight chll dern? "Waal, when Chet told his ma what he was goln to do she said he could keep the rabbit In the attic till Chrls' mus an' not a minute longer. So he writ to Artie, nn' this mornin' bright an early here comes the hull family Mis' linker an' th hull eight chlldem. "Chet, he hadn't even got up yet, but I rousted him out; an' when he come down he tolt Artie about the Jimmy rabbit he was golrf to give him. Then Mis' Baker chips la an' says she never 'lows one o' her children to accept presents unless all the others gits the pame thing. It makes the others Jeal ous,' says she, 'an creates dissensions.' "I seen trouble comln' to Chet In flocks an' herds an I says to myself they's Jest one way to settle this thing. You know, If you give a rabbit a little cuff on the back of his neck he never knows what hit hlrn. So I sneaks up to the attic, but ol Santa Claus had got there ahead o' me." . Ezra rocked back and let out a few more staccato notes of merriment. "What bad happened?" my wife asked. "Walt 'till I tell you," said Ezra. "I called Chet to come up quick, an' he come a-runnin'. "Look here,' says I to him, 'you give the elfht little ones to the children an the old one to Mis' Baker. If you do It nice she can't refuse 'em, 'speclallyi when the little rabbits needs the services of Jimmy fer awhile ylt. So Chet he lugged the hull box o' rabbits downstairs an' made seen a elokent predentin' speech that the widder couldn't do nothin' but thank him on take the hull mess home ttrlth her." Christmas Gifts -6 f-rj HE joy that's born of Christmas gifts is not xcithin themselves Or you or I could pick our joys from any merchant's shelves And you could buy more costly things than ever I could give, And though no friend should come your way contented you could live. Yet some poor trinket rich becomes and treasure to the end Because it is the symbol of a true and loyal friend. ' The thing is nothing as it lies upon a merchant's shelf, And scarce a thought you'd give to it for what it is itself.. There may be thousands like it round about you everywhere, But let a friend bring it to you and straightway it is rare. For something of that friend into his simple gift is wrought And it becomes a precious thing a token of a thought. We are a sentimental clan, tee fight and strive for gold, Yet treasures which we closest guard are never bought or sold; The things we value most are not the gems our money buys. But all those sweet and lovely things that memory bids us prize. The fadd slippers of a babe not in themselves are dear, But in the thoughts they bring to us of one no longer here. And so it is with Christmas gifts, 'tis friends tcho make them rare, The trifle that with love is rich has worth beyond compare; The moment that it passes from some friendly hand to you It has assumed a value that before it never knew. And what was common in itself is now beyond all price Because it represents to you some good friend's sacrifice. The Christmas Rose. IT was In Ireland I heard the beau tiful legend of the Christmas rose, says a writer in the Philadelphia Ledger. When the great night came and the dark skies were suddenly Il luminated with the lights of heaven the shepherds, gathering together their offering, went with haste to find him who had come to be the Light of the world. Great rough men, full of sim ple faith, they were, and each carried n little lamb In his arms to lay at the feet of the Good Shepherd. But among them was one wee lad who had no gift. AH his life long he had heard of the Messiah who was to come. The earth was full of rumors that the time was near at hand, and lying out on the hillside under the deep blue sky he had dreamed dreams of that day, picturing himself close to him in many roles. And now that the moment was come he raced along, his tiny legs finding It hard work to keep up with the swift, strong stride of the men. So full of excitement was he that no thought of self entered Into his mind. But as he came to the cave, saw the bright star shining nbovy and heard the songs of the angels he noticed his empty hands. How could he go Into the presence of the newborn King when he had nothing to lay nt his feet, he who would so willingly lay down his very life for him! lie crept close to the opening, and, kneeling down In the cold white snow, he wept ns though his little heart would break. And, lo, the warm tears melted away the hard snow, and from beneath there sprang up the first Christmas rose, the fruit of a little boy's love for the Christ Child 1 The Good Old Customs. By all means, so long as they will endure, let us cling to the old cus toms. Up with the holly, the box and the bay, set the plum pudding ablaze, light the Christmas tree, scatter greet ings broadcast through the land, ring out wild bells to the wide sky and give encouragement to the carol singers. Christmas comes but once a year, and when it comes it makes us all kin and more or less kind. It Is a truly happy festival, the time when we best under stand what home means, the children's feast, when the old grow young again. A harpy Christmas, then, to all. Christmas Carols at Nantucket. The custom of. singing Christmas carols In the streets still obtains at Nantucket. Every Christmas eve the school children march through the old cobbled streets of the town and sing their songs. All the ancient houses are Illuminat ed with candles in the windows, and the children always stop and serenade their favorites. It Is very pretty to hear them, and they never forget to sing for what they call the "shut Ins" the folks who are 111 and unable to get out and Join the festivities Christmas Greens. A quaint old writer thus spiritualizes the practice of Christmas decorations. "So our churches and houses, decked with bays and rosemary, holly and Ivy and other plants which are always green, winter and summer, signify and put us in mind of his Ielty that the child that now Is born was God and man, who should spring up like a ten der plant, should always be gfeen and nourishing and should live forever more." Logical. "Boy'r "Mu m T" "Stop that noise with your Christmas drum I Do you want to deafen ust" "Ycs'm; then you won't mind the noise." Life. Risky. "Td like to give my wife fifty dollars for Christmas." "Well, why notf" "I ain't certain that I could coax it away from her again." Louis' ville Courier-Journal. A Sign of Age. "Just when does a woman grow old?" ' "When she ceases to regard the hanging of the mistletoe as an event." Buffalo Express. All He Remembered. The Preacher And did you re member the poor on Christmas? Little Albert No. 1 didn't re member nothin much, except about pa catchin" me with my hand in the box where ma had the raisins hid. Up-to-Date Xmas Maxima. Never look a Christmas gift in the price tag. There is nothing so rare as a present you wanted, A ton of coal is rather to be chosen than gaudy jewels. Beware of mistletoe; it grows on the border of 'matrimonial jungles. Better broken toy drums than broken eardrums. Christmas spirit seldom intoxi cates, but it generally bankrupts. Christmas belles manage to ring in quite a few gifts. Just now the most popular book seems to be the pocketbook. Never put a gift cigar in the mouth. Christmas gifts are somewhat like babiesyou can't always get what you want, but wisely be con tented with what came. New York American, Christmas Msans Love. We cannot picture It without seeing the spangled Christmas tree girt with the faces of gleefv.l youngsters, glad parents and happy bodies returned home from town or far metropolis. It sounds like bells and crackling logs and shouts of children. And even our old, round shouldered, sorrow ridden planet, with his eye knocked out on ids cheek, pauses to smile from sea to sea, and love is everywhere rejuven ated. James Whltcomb Riley. Good Old Soul. "Why haven't you gone asked him, they "To your snowy mountain ranges?" "I'm' waiting," said Santa Claus, "to make The regular exchanges." Christmas Anticipation. " don't believe the approach ot Christmas brings you a single joy ous anticipation," said the sweet young thing. "Don't ehf" replied the savage bachelor. "Listen to my secret. That youngster on the third floor is sure to get a tin trumpet for a present." "Yes." "Then he will get careless and leave it on the hall floor. And then I shall step on it with both feet. Don't you call that a joyous anticipation?" A Long List. Tarkc Have you decided what to give your wife for Christmas? Lane Not' yet. There are so many things I can't afford. Judge. The Canny Scot at Yule.- A commercial traveler had taken a large order in Bcotlcnd for a consignment of hardware and endeavored to press upon the canny Scottish manager who had given the order a Christmas gift of a box of Havana cigars. ' "Now," he replied, "Don't try to bribe a man. I cudna tak them, and I am a member of the kirk." "But will you not accept them as a Christmas present?' "1 cudna," said the Scot. "Well, then," said the traveler, ' "suppose I sell you the cigars for a merely nominal sum say, six pence?'' "Weel, in that case," replied the Scot, "since you press me, and, not liking tae refuse an offer weel meant, I think M be taking two boxes." The Spirit Of Giving 6- AT Christmastide, O be thou ten der true; Thy friends make glad and all thy foes forgive; With its sweet light begin to live anew, Ungrudgingly give, and giving, much receive. Hake thy glad life grow large, thy soul expand; Let there be one full day within the year When love shall open wide thy waiting hand To lessen want and dry some bitter tear. Souls are there many, heavy laden, sore, And eyes that weep and hearts that often bleed. And squalor knocking, tattered, at thy door, And cold and hunger crying in their need. Give wisely, freely, of thy bounty give. And, most of all, do not forget, give love; Since giving is the truest way to live. And richest treasure laying up above. Hake glad thy home, let sunshine reign within; Bless every hearthstone with thy largess fair; Share with pale want thine overflow ing bin. By kindness save some brother from despair. Be saviors, 0 my brothers, every one! Let the true Christ in your own soul be born; Thus thou canst be Ood's well beloved son And make each dawn a joyous Christmas moral Minneapojis Journal. Test Your Gifts. CHRISTMAS gifts should be free from frippery, mere temporary worth, the solely worldly or ma terial value. This is the first test genuineness. The second, a Christmas gift should be In keeping with one's purse unos tentatlon. A Christmas gift should display good taste carefulness. A Christmas gift should confer a real benefit thoughtfulness.' A Christmas gift should produce un feigned pleasure Interest. A Christmas gift should be some thing you would wish associated with thoughts of yourself friendship. A Christmas gift should, If possible, be something that can be shared with others kindliness. A Christmas gift should, as long as It lasts, give as much delight as on Christmas morning quality. A Christmas gift should be some thing you yourself would be glad to possess sincerity. A Christmas gift should be some thing you have selected, not somethlug picked up by chance heartiness. A Christmas gift should be some thing you take pleasure in thinking of afterward as having been given by you to your friend satisfaction. Chris tian Ilerald. All the Year Round. Christmas comes all the year. Christ mas is giving. Christmas Is losing one's life and finding It again In the heart of another. Wherever we find good will, humani ty, fellow feeling, there w-e find a heart celebrating Christmas. The most deli cate pleasures of Christmas spring from the gifts we make to others, from the happiness we can Impart to others, from the abandonment of ourselves to another's Joy. The more utterly we lose ourselves In the lives of others the more we are keeping Christmas. The losing of our own life, to find It In another, Is for ever the Christmas token. It was of this the herald angels sang. It was this the good shepherds wor shiped. And this is the best way of spending Christmas. Origin of the Carol. Glory to God In the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14. Such was the first carol, sung by the holy angels amid the thrilling scene so vividly described by the evangelist. This song is happily used In the com munion service as the opening of "Gloria In Excelsls Deo." The word carol seems to be derived from the Italian verb carolare to sing imply ing a Joy song, an outburst of exuber ance. In the time of Chaucer, who died in 1400, this word usually meant simultaneous dancing and singing. Gradually Its secular origin was be clouded, and nowadays a carol general ly means a Christmas song of thanks giving, though there were formerly not only Easter carols, but also winter and even summer carols. Living Church. Jft Reallij Truly i ... .. avi - I nrisitnas BY CHARLES S. PEAS E (Copyright, 1917, Western Newgpaper Union.) OF course you want to know at once how a Christmas tree can be any more real than the one you had last year, so I shall explain that the tree Ralph and Rhodu had by accident one winter was rooted In the ground in the Lake Superior woods. First you must be told that the town children up there had the good times In both summer and winter, but the miners' boys and girls had the hard times all the year around, and that's the reason why mother said to Ralph and Rhoda the day before Christmas: "I don't see how you two are going to have a happy holiday when the chil dren up at the mines do not expect to have any tree at all. How would you like to go up the mountain and take them a lot of presents and things? You can get back before dark. I will telephone the mine captain that you are coming." "Just the very thing," said the chil dren. And away they went soon after with a sled loaded with everything you can think of for a Jolly Christmas, Just lots of gifts and royal trlipmlngs for a tree. They were making good time along the mountain side when Rhoda stum bled over a root. When she tried to stand up again her ankle would not work. Of course Rhoda would not hear of leaving the miners' children's "Christ mas" In the snow and coasting back home. So Ralph went back to the Halfway store for some help, but' the place was locked and barred. Before they decided on what to do next a flock of the mine children came racing down the road. It seemed ns though the tele phone message had emptied the settle ment of youngsters. "We've come to help take the 'Christ mas' up the mountain. It's a hard pull farther along," they explained. When they found that Rhoda was hurt they wanted to take her home, but she wouldn't listen to a word of It. "I'm going right up to see that tree properly trimmed and hung with these things," announced that young lady and. being of the sturdy and determin ed kind, tried tq forget the pain. So the swiftest runners of the mine boys started back to get a sled to car ry Rhoda to the summit. Refore the ambulance corps could re turn, down came one of those howling blizzards so dreaded In the rough northern country, and there was noth ing for it but to retreat and take refuge In the Halfway store. This old log house proved a hard nut to crack, but Ralph finally managed to get In through a rear window and soon had a roaring fire going In the big stove. The plucky lads got back from the moun tain, and everybody thanked his lucky stars to be safe and warm. Out side the storm roared and the trees bent low In the gale. All the evening Rhoda stood the ache bravely and said It was nothing, but Mary Martha Mur phy knew better. When all was quiet she brought a pall of water so hot that Rhoda squealed when her nurse put the swollen ankle into It, and these two girls, one who had a lovely home and rich furs and many other fine things and the little poor girl with a warm Irish heart, sat up till "all hours." During the night the storm turned to rain and then It became cold, so very cold that the forest was covered with an Icy coat. In the morning the bliz zard drifts were many feet deep. So the only thing to be done was to wait till a rescue party ca:r.e or.' for them with shovels and hr e. an" snow-plows. And then a great though i occurred to Rhoda. A giant hemlock tree stood right ii front of the store, In a place twvi. clear by the wind that Is, it had beei a hemlock before it became one great dazzling emerald with pearly icicle hanging all over it. When night came, clear and perfect ly still and inky black, the rescue par ty found a celebration going on the like of which had never been known The children had taken hundreds oi miners' candles from the store am had wired them all over the hemlock All the presents and the gilt ropes am the other ornaments had been hun about the branches, and the candle lighted. Rhoda, half smothered In furs ar tucked up on a high seat, was mistrf of ceremonies, while a ring of singli dancing children circled around i tree, and in the background, all the dense forest, shot back mllllr sparks of light. A (Eltriofmaa By Erii. Dr. Zjouiorb DuISrUi . MAY the bletiin! of the light that shown at midnight come to the hearts that are shadowed and the homes that are dark. Q May the blessing of the Manger Cradle come to that innumerable company against whom the doors ot hope and peace and rest are shut. Q May the blessing of the Holy Child come to every one who has forgotten that thou, O God, art his father and that all men are brothers. J May the blessing of the Guid ing star come to thone who wan der in the night and cannot find the homeward way. May the blessing of the Stable come upon all hearts, wakening a kindly sense of kindred with every living thing that walks the field and forest or wings the air or passes along the paths of the seas. New York World. Christmas Observance THERE is very little of the right motive In commemorating the1 birth of Jesus the Savior. Thei spirit of the modern Christmas Is to have a good old time, feasting and business activity, with the Holy Child Jesus a figurehead. Such Is a very great offense to Al mighty God. An offering to Clod in the spirit of righteousness, by humility,' worship, mortification, In self denial and good works, should be the first duty In celebrating Christmas. Really a' number of hours similar to Lent ought to be considered, after which would come the feast and re joicing. Respectful thankfulness to the Lord God of Hosts for his love and pity for a sinful race In his priceless gift of a Sa' !or such would be a fitting grace before partaking of the good things and many blessings that he has been pleased to bestow on all people. What would a person think In giving a re ception and supper to have the guests hasten to the dining hall and devour the food without giving the honor and respect due to the host first? Almighty God is treated in a similar manner in celebrating the modern Christmas. George Cashcl In Philadelphia Tress. The Old Christmas Hymr.s. nappy is the man or woman who, having left behind the schooldays ai.df the home gatherings, still sings the old hymns and Joins In the readings of the Christmas chapters in some simple church service designed to perpetuate the true spirit of the day. mm we V Soft, soft, so sleeps the little stranger Croon, croon In tender notes and roildl Lovingly beside the lowly manger Broods the Mother Mary o'er the Child. Hush, hush, for far away lies dangerl See, see how winsomely he smiled) Yearningly beside the lowly manger Bends the Mother Mary o'er the Child. Time, thou art the ruthless ranger, And yet we all must seeds be recon ciled, For still for us beside the lowly manger Leans the Mother Mary o'er tbe Child I -OlaSM ftaonard la AlatWa, & v'' ? s-A ".-? v :