Merry
Christmas!
—+ —
By Helen Morton
IT WAS enough to make one hate
Christmas! Betsy was so tired
that she could hardly stand. This
counter in the middle of the aisle
had become a nightmare to her. The
crowds hurrying by. pulling the
neckties off as their coats brushed
against them, fingering them over
and then tossing them back on the
table carelessly.
Still, it was good to have a job.
even a temporary one. For she
had been without work for a long
enough time so that she had "eat
en" and all her possessions she could
borrow money on.
No time to be standing here think
ing, though. That fat woman looked
as if she was going to buy several
ties. "These are very nice, madam.
And so reasonable; 35 cents a piece,
or three for 11.00. This is an ex
ceptionally pretty one," and Betsy
showed her a navy blue. But the fat
woman dropped the ties and has
tened away with her friend, leaving
• pile of ties on the floor.
Wearily Betsy leaned over ana
began picking them up. "Let me
blip?" a friendly voice asked. Betsy
looked up into a handsome face,
curly brown hair, deep blue eyes,
and a mouth that curved into a
■mile at the surprise in Betsy's eyes.
"I want to get some ties for my
family. I've been up here the past
few weeks, and so I don't know
what the kids want, but I think it'll
be safe to give 'em ties. Socks are
so commonplace."
"Your brothers?" Betsy asked as
■he held up one or two she liked
particularly.
"Yeah. Three brothers and a sis
ter. She's about your age, I reckon.
What does a girl like, anyway, when
you've only a little to spend?" He
looked Imploringly.
"Let's get the brothers fixed up
first, and then see about her. How's
this for the 17-year-old?" Betsy in
quired.
"Fine. You know, I'm tickled pink
to be able to do anything for the
family. I struck a bad spell, was
down with flu for three weeks, and
lost my Job. I just got another last
week. But I'd have hated to have
the day go by with nothing from the
big boy." His face was shining.
'Til have them wrapped as gifts.
Then you go over to the counter
there and select something for your
sister. Here, I'll take you over and
get a giri from my home town to
wait on yoti. She'll help," and Betsy
went alon;; with him.
"You're not a city girl, then? No
wonder you were so helpful. I'm
jfifer?
"I want to get some ties for my
family."
scared of these sophisticated girls
in most of the shops. That's be
cause'l've been here only a few
months, and in my home town ev
eryone knew everyone and it was.
well, it was different. Say, you
don't think I'm getting fresh, do
you? I'm just so homesick." His
face was red with embarrassment.
It was Betsy's turn to look trou
bled. "Sure, I knew how it was.
I don't chatter away with every cus
tomer this way, either. I'm like you
new here, and lonesome for my own
people. I was hating Christmas
time, with so much confusion and no
real Christmas spirit So I'm glad
you told me about your family."
She turned him over to Marie at
the women's wear counter, and went
on with her tie selling. They seemed
prettier, fresher and more attrac
tive, than they had before the curly
headed fellow had come along to
buy some.
ONLY a half hour off for supper,
then she'd have to work until
the store closed at nine. Christmas
eve meant lots of last minute gifts
to be bought in this big city. As
she turned away from her counter
to go out to eat, a friendly voice
sounded at her shoulder.
"If you're going to snateh a sand
wich, do you mind if I go along and
we learn something more about each
other? Your friend told me you'd
have just a little while for lunch,
and I want to get acquainted, if
you'll let me." It wasn't just a
"pick-up." This was a homesick
boy, wanting to talk with a small
town girl who knew his language.
There was just a moment's hesi
tation before Betsy said, with a grin.
"Sure enough. Lead me A the lunch
counter. You're no more lonely than
I've been. As it Is. I really feel like
I ean say 'Merry Christmas' when
tomorrow comes."
Yuletide
V
Shower
- ♦ '
By Elizabeth Eastman
««T WISH we could do something
* exciting something different
at Christmas." Peggy looked out at
the winter landscape as she spoke.
"For instance?" Vivian Clark
glanced up from the magazine.
"Something like making someone
terribly, tremendously happy." Peg
gy came closer to her sister as she
answered, and Vivian saw that she
was very much in earnest.
"I've been thinking," Peggy went
on, "how wonderful it would be to
bring something thrilling some
thing unforgettable—into someone's
life. I don't mean like helping with
the baskets and the entertainments
at the church; we've always done
that; but a sort of special some
thing, for one particular person."
For a minute youthful voices sur
rendered to silence. The gay little
clock on the dresser made audible
sound. Suddenly Peggy Jumped to
her feet. "I've thought of some
thing!" she cried breathlessly,
"something really different! You
know Sara Wecby—she's been an in
valid for 10 years—shut in from the
world except for a few friends who
run in every now and then."
"But what can we do for her? We
do visit her occasionally, and have
always taken her a little Christmas
gift You know she's much too proud
to accept charity."
"Who's talking of charity? What I
have in mind is something that will
Just thrill her. I'm going to write
to Mona Muir—you know, she runs
that department on the Star—and
I'm going to tell her how wonderful
Sara has been, and ask a card show
er for her."
Vivian whistled through her teeth.
"Well, that is a grand idea, Peggy.
I know she'll be thrilled."
"She's bound to be! Think of the
postman stopping with loads and
loads of mail every day." Peggy's
blue eyes were dancing.
"But suppose people don't write?
You know how busy everyone is at
Christmas." Vivian's face reflected
the doubt in her words.
"But they will write," Peggy's
voice was emphatic. "I'm going to
hold the thought that Sara Werby
will be just swamped with mail."
TOGETHER they penned the let
ter to Mona Muir on the big city
paper. Later, between snatches of
shopping, they discussed the possi
ble number of cards and letters
that would be delivered at the lit
tle cottage on Bank street They
both seemed to be more concerned
with what Sara Werby was going to
"I've thought of something!" she
cried breathlessly.
receive than about what they them
selves were going to get.
"It's funny how doing something
for others gets a hold of you," Viv
ian said one day; "I wasn't nearly
as enthusiastic as you at first, Peg
gy; now I believe I'm even more
eager."
But their real happiness came on
Christmas eve when they stood by
Sara Werby's bed and saw the radi
ance upon her face. Stacks of let
ters, cards, and packages were piled
everywhere, with postmarks from
almost every state in the Union.
"It's the most thrilling thing that
ever happened in my life," Sara
told them. "I never knew there
were so many wondlrful people in
the world. It will take me weeks
and weeks to answer them all, but
it's going to be loads of fun." Her
brown eyes sparkled like a girl's.
"I imagine some of them will de
velop into lasting friends," Peggy
ventured. "Vivian and I are so
happy about it all—in fact, I think
we're just about as excited as you
are."
"You're pretty happy then," Sara
Werby whispered softly, "for I don't
believe there is anyone—anywhere
—who is going to have a more thrill
ing Christmas than mine."
Outdoor Christmas Trees
Outdoor Christmas trees are not
new. When in Alsace the folk there
will tell you of St. Florentine, who
centuries ago went out into the
woods at Christmas time and placed
lights, probably candles, on the
trees.
A Straw for Bemembrance
Reminding gay celebrants of the
poverty of the Christ Child, Christ
mas leasts in Poland always have a
piece of straw sticking out from un
der the dining table cloth.
*
THF ET.KIN TRIBUNE. ELKIN. NORTH CAROLINA
Christmas
Dinner
—* —
By Katherine Edelman
AS SOON as Darrel Thorpe got a
chance to use the phone, he
dialed his home. He must tell Edna,
how sorry, how terribly sorry he
was for what had happened this
morning. All the way down on the
car he had reproached himself for
the hasty words he had said. He
couldn't understand how he had spo
ken to Edna like that and on Christ
mas eve.
He drummed impatiently on the
desk as he waited. Edna was al
ways punctual about answering the
phone and doorbell. It was a way
she had, going right through with
things.
Which really was the cause of
his flash of temper this morning.
In her quick, decisive way, she had
swept aside his idea of having old'
Mrs. Darby for. Christmas dinner. ;
The little lady, now down on her
luck, had befriended Darrel when I
he had come to the city.
"I'm not going to have her!" Edna
had declared emphatically. "We're
The big man did not seem to bear
him. His eyes were glued on a
closely-typed statement.
going to skip Christmas as much as
possible—go out and eat somewhere
—and miss all the rush and bother."
"I think that's a darn selfish way
of doing," Darrel shot back. "Christ
mas is a home day, with a turkey,
and a tree, and gifts, and above all,
someone to share them with us."
Then, without waiting to see the
effect of his words, Darrel ruthed
from the house, banging the door.
Now, he dialed the number three
times, but there was no answer.
Panic seized him. Had Edna be
lieved that he meant what he had
said? He had heard of young wives
who had packed up and left for
mush less reason. What a brute he
had been to flare up as he did!
THE morning wag unbearaby
long. Inwardly fuming, he hung
up the receiver, to answer an im
perative buzzer from the inner of
fice. It was about the tenth this
morning. If it hadn't been for
Wheatley, keeping him running
around in circles, he might have
been able to reach Edna long ago.
And if the old man hadn't been in
the same ugly mood yesterday, Dar
rel knew that he himself wouldn't
have been on edge this morning,
that he wouldn't have spoken to Ed
na as he had done. He blamed
Wheatley as much as himself.
"You sent for me," he said stiffly,
as he waited beside the desk. The
big man did not seem to hear him.
His eyes were glued on a closely
typed statement. Darrel spoke
again. Then Daniel Wheatley looked
up, and rubbed his hand across his
forehead as if trying to remember
something.
"Oh, yes, yes," he began; "Mrs. I
Thorpe called before you got to the
office this morning. I forgot to tell
you. She left word that she was
going marketing with a Mrs.—Mrs.
Darby, or some such name. Also,
she wanted me to be sure to tell
you to bring home a Christmas tree
and all the trimmings." There was
a merry twinkle in Wheatley's usual- j
ly hard eyes. "Looks as if you were
going to celebrate Christmas at your
house," he finished, with a laugh.
"We certainly are," Darrel
grinned back; "we're going to have 1
a real old-fashioned celebration of
the day."
"Think your wife would object if
you took a cranky old man to Christ
mas dinner?"
Darrel wondered if he were hear
ing things, then his quick wit Jumped
to the surface. "If you really mean
that, Mr. Wheatley. I can assure you
of a hearty My wife thor
oughly believes in having people for
Christmas dinner. At least, I am
sure she does now." The last sen
tence Darrel whispered to himself.
Carols on Fields of Bethlehem
On the hillsides of Bethlehem,
"where shepherds watched their
flocks by night" on Christmas eve
and Christmas morning, tourists
from many lands gather annually to
sing carols and remember the life
and words pf Jesus of Nazareth.
In Bethlehem for Christmas
Due to modern transportation one
can leave America as late as the
middle of December and be in Beth
lehem in Palestine for Christmas,
000 miles away.
ii ■ ■ ■ 1 11 ' 11 1 . 'V 1 ■
FOR MEN... FOR LADIES
ARE ALW^TC 0 APPRECIATED /
Gifts from this store will prove most interesting to }|Pj§i_ J
purchase and also to receive, for they are the things /
your friends want and need. And our assortments /' >,Jp| I , ~ v N /
make gift choosing easy and inexpensive, yet offering ( /tSjUHT' flKlpiiil - /
you a lot of quality for every dollar you spend. Below
are some of the many gift items from which to select. W \ \
Come in and see the complete line.
IHe will appreciate a bill fold. IA/> fn Q(| QQ :
You'll like these and he'll love you ' / : /
for giving it to him ««/ L* v /
Attractive belt sets. Nice buckles, JfW»tnsl QS mfflf-'hift
genuine leather belts. Give him M| c w * I ,170 V fmiMm |
one of these for Christmas **/ * mmMflmlm 1 «
Here's a gift handkerchief sets in j|i
' He will always welcome sox. We have Al"/. fn fA« | Bm|Hl9K| | g i»| •
• them in a variety of styles, patterns 3v * Jfjßll I
I Give him a leather jacket. Well CJQQ fn C/V OA ; e||l If 1 Wit Ml, ] jr /
: made, well lined. 'Zipper front. A B \
; real gift for man or boy! » . * «/ S p„. J /
ilf you really wartit to surprise him Christmas, give him ' jk f t §jbj
r a new suit. Here Vou will find «1 J7s+o SO A .75 ' 1 lm 1 VM I IfV" M l
I newest styles an* fabrics at */[v ; \% V ' #
| the price you waWt to pay!....
FOR MEN
Iff ■ fIFT \ Ofj course he will be pleased
IfiF I ji wifh a Ritz shirt! Patterns
!j # j arad solid cslors, including
Gifts That Give'\ him several Wimbley
| Shopping List V
! Etc. ! CREDIT
m SWEATERS - SKIRTS | § "
f Practical gifts that will be ap- C-j ( 0g and $0.98 I You'll Be Sure f If You Need It
k predated. Lovely styles and col- v I " v / ■ [ a
£ ors here. Put them on your list . i 1 to Find What i „ „ «
1 LADIES' BAGS | v W f 1
ft Many attractive new styles and C| QQ and SSO QR i f Want | Payment
| shapes in ladies' hand bags. New * I tVO *"" * /* VO 1 f I « , r . ,
f colors and leathers '*•' £ xlfjre. 2 Balance Weekly
GLOVES 1 1 r-mrili 111 liilli ll l
I What more appreciated gift? C -t QQ on/1 Cf) QQ '
I Beautiful kid or fabric in pro- *| *" ■$ huO ,
o, and -- ugEg I LSJJQP NOW... AT M C DANIEL S
I An attractive blouse will prove a 41 AA f 0 CA QQ :
| welcome gift. Many lovely styles I / ; People are buying rapidly now, so we sug-
I here. Ask to see them - | g e st you come in early for the best selec-
I CHILDREN'S DRESSES tions. Make out your shopping list .. .
I SBSJrwarjr £PS£ $1 - 98 to M- 98 ; !j en ci ; eck tK ™ ° n ? ° n * *t g °
I ideal for Christmas gifts 1 t through our complete stocks of Christmas
f LADIES' COATS ftfft goods. We'll save you money . . . you'll
1 Tweed, camel hair and other «« QK SAA KA | please your friends .. . with gifts from
I fabrics. Pur-trimmed and tailor- ? /' V 9 10 * /t|* ni : McDANIEL'S.
1 ed styles. Prices from ..... I L«/
McDaniel's Dept. Store
MAIN STREET EDKIN, N. C.
1 tifri" ■lfii"
Thursday, December 7, 1939