Newspapers / The High Point Scout … / Dec. 1, 1919, edition 1 / Page 3
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HIGH POINT SCOUT JJnmanrf Br T. B. ALDERSON (Copyright.) OVERTT aii(J pathos, gentility and blighted hope.s, a.spirations and hidden emotions — all these played a part in the dull experience of the odd ten people who had lived,year in and year out at .Mrs. Rhoda Markham’s city boarding house. Its propriei I'ess was a good-hearted woman, but the constant grind ■' had worn her out. As Christmas approached, however, the faded, but faithful old eyes brightened, for, though poor and humble, her little coterie were gen erous souls and a special purse jvas her reward when the Christmas tree gave up Its treasure. Miss Myrtle Deane had occupied the best room In the house for over three years. She lived on an annuity of limited volume, and although twenty- eight. retained much of the freshness and charm of girlhood. Reuben Willis, thirty, and a bache lor, a silent, retiring man, filled a subordinate position in a bank, and, it was said, came of a once wealthy family and his actions showed his good breeding. “It’s bound to be a match,” proph esied Mrs. Mayhew, a widow hoard er. “If they only weren’t too poor to think of it,” suggested Mr. Bascom. who was coarse and practical. Everybody in the boarding house took part In the preparations for and the celebration of Christmas. The tree was trimmed and the packages of mutual presents piled about Its base. Then Bas com started a vig orous propaganda in favor of each person hanging their stocking Id front of the fire place. Miss Deane grew rosy at the suggestion and Wil lis tried to escape to his room, but it was of no avail. There was vast chattering and Jol lity as after breakfast next morning there was an adjournment to the sit ting room. The master of cere- monIe,s, Bascom’s eyes twinkled aa I GI one after another the stockings were apportloised, for he was a practical Joker. Willis noted that his stocking was bulging and heavy. He peer ed within it, then showed a lump of coal and a raw potato. Somehow his heart. was chilled. Trivial as was the incident. It came like a direct , blow in the face. Was the erratic donation a slurring re minder of his poverty? .All at once the barrenness of his lonely life over came him in full force. He went up to his room gloomily. A servant knocked at the door and handed him a letter. Mechanically he opened it and then sprang to hi.s feet, white to the lips and quivering all over. He stood like one in a maze. There was a second timid summons at the door. Willis opened it to face Miss Deane, a parcel in her hand. “Will you please step into the hall,” she flutfered, and he thought how lovely she looked In her fresh, dainty morning dress. “Mr. Willis, I hope the practical jokes of Mr. Bascom have not been taken by you as an affront. He did the same thoughtless thing with all of us. And you ran away before we could give out the presents. Here is yours, a trifling gift, but I hope it will please you, be cause I made it myself." Willis parted the tissue pap(>r to disclose a pair of knit house slippers. His heart warmed toward this modest, lonely gentlewoman, who had devoted so many hours to show her friendly esteem. t, “I cannot express how I appreciate them.” he said, and then a quick Im- Dul.se swayed him. The lettei- in his pocket reminded him of a vast clmiige in circumstances and fortune. "They make me think of home,” he added In a tone of pathetic reminiscence. "Miss Deane, we would know how to ap preciate a home, you and I, wouldn’t we now?” The fair lady sighed. A dim blur of tears crossed her- eyes. “If I had one,” continued Willis, (Mmlng closer to her, “would you share It with me?” There was a sob and Miss iteane wavered. Willis tenderly clasped her waist. He knew she had given assent in her shrinking way. * “I have just received .-i letter from the lawyer of a near relative appris ing me of the fact that 1 have been made his legatee,” announced Willis. “It Is r fine present, isn’t it? But the b»«i gift Christmas can give m« Is yo»r own dear self!” m GROSS OFFICIAL APPROVES SEAL SALE Dr. Livingston Farrand, Chair man of the Central Committee, American Red Cross, Expresses Hope That Public Will Give Generous Support. SALE IS NOW UNDER WAY. Dr. Livingston Earrand, exec utive head of the American H Red Ooss, has given his un qualified endorsement of the lidi’ lied Cross Christmas Seal sale, "liiili Is now under way and which "III "xiend for ten days under the niispires of the National Tuberculosis •X.ssiM iation and Its 1,000 allied organ- iziiiHiris. A fund of more than .^O^TOO,- IHHI " liich will be used In the 1020 ed- ucatiuMal and preventive campaign, wiil he raised through the sale of the seals ,, ^ Acquainted as he Is with all ques tions of general health community im provement and relief because of the nature of his work and oftice. Dr Far- rand's endorsement is based upon an exiieri knowledge of what the Na tional Tuberculosis Association has ac-, coinphshed and will accomplish in the fnnm His letter to Dr. Charles J. llailiehi .Managing Director of the Na- ti(aiai Tuberculosis Association, fol- Inw s ; ■ | have been greatly Interested In ihc plans that the National Tuberculo sis A.ssociatlon is making for the sale of ('hristmas Seals during the coming holid.-iy season. The success of that t’llori is indispensable to the carrying aii of the farreaching plans of the .Association in Its fight against tuber culosis in this country. " 1 he American people. In common "lib the nations of Europe, are be coming aroused to the critical impor- lafice of the problem of vitality and conservation of health as the neces sary factor in re-establishing the world after the devastation and de struction caused by the war. Of ail the preventable diseases, tuberculosis takes perhaps the first place In Impor tance. For that reason I view with keenest sympathy and approval the splendid work which the National Tu berculosis Association is conducting, and I trust that the response of. the American people In the Christmas Seal Campaign will be generous and univer sal. Sincerely yours, ^ (Signed) LIVINGSTON FARRAND, “Chairman, Central Committee, Amer ican Red Cross.”
The High Point Scout (High Point, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 1, 1919, edition 1
3
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