Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, December 15, 1922, Page 9

The Pioneer is the omly within 100 miles of Bemidji and nas the largest circulation in Nonham Minnesota. v “MINNESGI A HISTORIC AL ALF a dozen”unshayen, red- shirted miners.werfé gath- ered about the dingy coun- ter of Bilger’s, the one store in camp. It was Christmas i thing extra for their dinner " them in mind of the day they said. |elty In the forlorn remnant of cans barrels and boses under the counter One man found a stray box of sar- dines, and took possession of it-with the remark that, while it was -not “Christmasy,” he could have the sat- iféfaction of knowing he was.eating the only sardines in camp; anotlLer from behind a squadron of tomatoes while a' third, of more investigatin and determined turn of mind, hunted among the boxes and barrels until he cranberries. This brought the entire group of|: Christmas hunters into a compact, |* envying circle; and while they were anxiously debating the pro and con— espetiully the con—of a division of s“oop-shouldered, watery-eyed man en- tered. “Have you got any toys?” he asked, besitatingly. The storekeeper stared, and unank mously, as though by preconcerted ar- |rangement, ‘the group aroand the |turned and stared also. “Any—what?” the storekeeper asked iblankly. “Toys,” the man repeated looking at ithe encircling faces with ubashed em- |barrassment—*“things to play with, I| like chlldrcn have at Christ- with a curious |mean, p:!as. You see,” imingling of apology and pride in his | voice, “my little ten-year-old boy came !in on the stage just now—clean fraii {his grandma’s, back to Missourl. I've Iheen sendin’ for hira these two yedfs, ibut couldn't seem to get to it till'I ‘struck a vein last month.” i TUED eve, and they wanted some- |-<[53 on the morrow—just to keep | ; But there was:little. nov-{* upon the shelves, or in the half-empty |, ind massed in the corners of the room. drew out a can of Boston baked beans| actually discovered a can of Cape Cod |* spoils, the door opened quietly and a | |canned representatives from Cape Cod |’ He lurched heavily against the coun- ter. His watery eyes began to fill, partly through his condftion and partly from some long dormant tenderness which was beginning to reawaken. “The boy’s considet’ble childish,” he ‘went on, rousing himself a little ‘at ‘the consciousness of béing listened to’ Hy men who- usually passed Him with- 'out recognition, “an’ lfkes.things'to play with, - So, bein’ it's Christmas, an’ he jest comin’," why, I thought mebbe I'd better hunt some toys.” “Of course,” cried’ Dobson, the Sheriff, heatnly, and “Of course,” “Of ‘course,”™ came - proffiptly trom uthers of the group. And then they looked about the store inquiringly, eagerly, insearch of some- thmg that would please’ a- ten-year-old saw’; ramids’ of picks blankets, ware; There were no dry and fancy goods 1and notions upon-the shelves, no show- ;cases upon the counter, no display in .the one dingy window. ywould begin'to make their appearance ‘only-with the coming of the first wom- ;an, and that was not yet. “Rather 4 slim show for playthings, Dobson,” said the owner of the cran- ‘berries, after a fruitléss search with ihis eyes from one, end’ of the store to the other. . Don't s'pose a pack. o’ ‘playin’ cards would do?” as, his gaze paused lxongtnp on‘an éxtensive, as- isortment ~of that :popular - article. ‘“They has pictures ‘on.’ei “Wonldn't do at all,” ansiered Dob- son decidedly. “They af’t moral; an’ ‘the’ first kid who patronizes us has got ‘to be, brought up moral. Say, you,” to the jvatery-eyéd mam, who was edging-towards the bar at the far end of-tht store—'mone o that1” o “None o’ what?” asked-the man quer- ulously.” “I ain’t ateppln’ on your toes.” “No, but you are on the kid's. See here.”- “His voice.had an incisive ring which had made many: stronger men tremble. “You ain’t walkin’ the same line you was twenty-four hours ago. Then.yau was.a.poor, no-'count .drunk- boy who was childish, But there was little they only: . huge| miners’ boots, py: and- shovels .and barrels of ilour and beans and pork; and on the. shelves, tobac- co and canned goods, and a small agsortment of earthen and tin- and then, atthe far end of the store, a bar for the accommo- dation of those who were thirsty. Such _things | ard, who'd a right to dig his grava ivithout opposition from nobody; now you’re markin’ out a trail for that kid to foller. See? Me an’ my friends here ain’t no call to interfere between father an’ son;” dropping his voice to an’ éasy, familiar tone, and placing a ‘hand encouragingly upon the tremu- olus shoulder, “so long as the father makes a good deal; but when he slumps,”—his voice was still soft, but the steely glint returned to his eyes— sithen me an’ my friends step in. Sabe? Beln' the first kid in camp, we've con- stitooted ourselves his guardian—just like every man. in the place will do soon’s they hear of his bein’ here.” He turned back to his companions. The watery-eyed man, after one long, wistful,farewell glance toward the bar, resumed his fruit- less search of the . goods. There was nothing - now to” divide his at tention’; he knew the men with whom he had to deal, and real- ized, that hence- forth the bar was to be as far re- moved ‘from him as though a wall of granite inter- venéd. But, to his credit be it said, even with the reéalization ' came & new. firmness to ‘his eyes. - “What's that on the top shelf?” he asked suddenly. “That? Oh, that is—I dunno,” hesi- tated” the storekeeper, as he took down the object in questiont and examined it critically. “It got in with some goods ‘a year ago, an’ has been up there ever :since.” .- “Why, you chump!” cried the cran- { \berry owner derisively, “not to know | ‘a” jumpin’ jack when you see one! :I've bought lots of 'em to home for the ‘children. See!" and he pulled a string ‘which sent the acrobat tumbling up ‘over the.top of his red pole. “Just the “thing for a kid.” - “Just the - thing,” repeated the watery-eyed man, drawing a small bag ‘of gold dust from his pocket: “itl anake the boy laugh.” . “As he was going out, the owner of the cranberries stepped to his side. “Here, take this along with you,” he sald, relinquishing the can to which e had been clinging so fondly. “Itll ‘help to make out a Christmas for the boy.” - “And this, too.” “And this,” added the owner of the sardines and the owner of the baked beans; and then and slipped something bright and heavy into the hand which held the Jumping-jack. “It's a nest-egg for the kid,” he said gravely. “Now you better go home an’ fill up his stockin’; an’ to-morrer you can tell him Merry Christmas from us anr / Great Savers. How our mothers and grandmothers would have appreciated the wonder- fully efficient electrical appliances of the present day, Probably most of all the electric washer and ironer, be- @uuse, if the proper machines are se- lécted, they represent the greatest economy. Not only do they save money, time and backbreaking drudgery; but the very clothes themselves. N RN N N N S S ) ] The Christmas Dolly Sheriff Dobson pushed before them | l ’ aad ‘her mother’s stockings, but she had got || APair of Stockmgs Iymfl.lhnfl L] Illlllllllllll IlIIlIllIIIIllll|ll|l|llllll it Newspaper Us BUDDY SM'ITB had three ldeas about his stockings—they Were ‘full of feet, full of holes, and they | ‘could be full of .presents. It was with | ‘regard to the ghird idea that he was ipaying attentiom to the second. Will- ling to go barefoot under the.circum- stances, he was tieing up the holes in ihis best stocking, with a view to the iChristmas possibilities. His sister, i ilonger - stocking, with a note attached ‘be concerned that this one was hers. 1But_Agnes,.like the monkey that used a rabbit for a muff and kept himself ‘fish. “Not-only had she hung up one of .an advantage over Buddy in the mat- ‘/board, for there were Loles all round ‘it the size of-her little finger. So It was that on Christmas morn- ing the shorter stocking had the most . / (@, 1922, Western Newspaper Unlon.) ~ ELL, T'll be getting lots of ¥ presents soon,” he said. He had just met some pleasant new friends. ) “Yes,” he continued, “Christmas is a good time for me. You see I'm popu- lar with wives. I get notes from hun- dreds of them; there are any number .who write to me, and when Christmas ;comes they knit ties for me or buy a ‘handgome silk handkerchief or two, or ‘a fine muffler—a little thought of me at any rate. And I've never been In a divorce case yvet,” he ended. ithan you deserve,” someone remarked. “Neither,” he answered. “I'm a milk- to be full of ¢heer and the good-heart- !Agnes, had alteady hung up a much‘ | iin which she informed all who might | warm by hugging it, was a little sel-| | ter of the chocolate cake in the cup-| \ L THE MAIL CARRIER OR many years, in good weather or bad, day after day, he had fol- lowed his chosen job faithfully and well. He had carried many, many Christmas presents In his day, too. This year one of the families he had served %o regularly prepared a Christ- mas box for him and for hig wife and for his children, “It 18 the first Christmas box I ever received from one of my families,” he said. “Wasn't it thoughtful of them to have remembered their mail car- “You must be‘a diplomat or luckier | man and a milkman’s Christmas is apt | rier does so much for us and we, rier?” ! But the people were saying, “To think that we haven't done something of this sort every year. The mail car- at | times, almost seem to forget he's uven Santa Fetched m’ {immortality of happiness. buman i - LTI The EvergreenTree By Christopher G. Hazard Ll IIIIIIIl LT T ©, 1022, Western Newspaper Unlon.) e HE servants had retired and left the old lady alone. She sat be- fore the decorated and lighted tree ;that was burdened with gifts that ‘seemed to have no destinations, For Mrs. Stone was long past the wanting of gifts and no. companions, young or old, sat with her, because she wished to be alone with her memories, She was not as alone as she seemed to be, for, in the great chair opposite to hers memory placed the fairy figure of the child who had glanced and danced about the house and under the Christmas tree of long ago. Beside her there sat one who seemed to lay his hand again upon hers in happy and satisfied affection, while there bent over her the strong and tender youth who was once her hope for Iater years. Again the old house seemed full of joy, and noisy merriment drove out the deathly stillness, while the tree that is always green spoke of the The next day, when the servants dismantled the evergreen tree, it was | found that every gift was marked | with a name, and they were busy that Christmas morning in distributing new happiness about the neighborhood. Easily Manag;ad OU must belleve in Santa Claus It in neglect you would not pause And see the holldays drift by And bring you nothirg but a sigh. He may not greet you if you wait In {dleness and selfish state For him upon his way to start To grant the wishes of your heart. For he his ways makes known to men By means that are beyond our Ken, And as his journeying vast 13 made He uses many a masquerade. So if a scarcity you fear . in tie supply of Christmas cheer, Just hustle like a willing elf, Samta Claus By Christopher G. Hazard (©, 1922, Western Néwspaper Union.) «P\ELL us a_ story, Uncle Petdr” sald the childfen, as tHby climbed over their kindly relative one Christmas eve. “A story!” repefted Uncle Peter, affecting surprise, biit willing to draw upon his inexhaustiblé stock; “well, have you ever heard:of Uncle Samta Claus?” “Oh, you mean Uncle Santa Claus!” exclaimed Jack. “No, I don't,” said Uncle Peter; I mean the old man with the plug hat, the blue swallowtail coat, the striped breeches; the old man with eyes like stars and a smile that never comes off excepting when somebody is treading on somébody: else; the old man with the striped flag, whose headquarters is up in Alaska; the biggest Santa Claus there is.” “All right, then,” answered the children, “tell us about him.” ! “Well,” said Uncle Peter, “he has his hands full just now and is dolng all he cun to fill the hands of others. The air is sp noisy with wireless cries and clamors, there are so many hands reaching out over the seas, that he I8 almost distracted. Evey since he got back from. the great war he has been repairing its damuge and renew- ing the prosperity that it spoiled. And' long before that he was In the Christ- mas business. He surprised China by refusing to accept the great sum of the Boxer indemnity. He let the Cu- bans have Cuba when he had mnade them free, and many thought that he had a right to take that fair island for himself. He is working hard at his task of making America truly American, a sober, industrious, en- lightened, presperous, happy, Christ- masy nation.” “I'm glad I'm one of his American children,” said Agnes, when Uncle Peter had concluded; with which sen- timent all the rest agreed. A little cloud of doubt had arisen on the Christmas sky, however, a8 “I'm Glad I’'m One,” Said Agnes. Uncle Peter had spoken of Uncle Samta’s lavishness fn far countries. Edith volced it when she wanted ta know if it would be of any use for them to expect anything that Christ-, mas, whether or not they were to hang| up their stockings. “You'll put your foot in it if you do,” sald George. “No,\ she won't,” sald Uncle Peter; “I have| had a special delivery letter tram] Uncle Sumta, saylng that he has had| his eye on this house for the Inst! twelvemonth, and that this will be one of his stopping places because from it} so much of service for others has been | golng out. He says that you are his’ gardeners, and that you have planted | 8o many seeds of kindness that a lot| of benutiful things will be sure to! come up. That Is always the way, he suys; in fact, it I8 the way fn which ] he got rich himself.” This was a very pleasant assurance for the children. K made them think i of a happy mistake that one of them| had made when they were having war gardens all over the town: A certain Mr. Rose had been appolnted by the mayor as inspector of gardens for the whole place, and one day Betty polnt- ed him out to a friend with whom she was walking. ‘“There goes Mr. Rose,” she sald; “he's an expecter of gar- dens!" When the children had been re- minded of Mr. Rose they also remem- bered what Betty had done at thelr last' Christmas party ; stalking heavily | and pompously down the room, she bad said: “I'm Mr. Atlas; who holds up the world.” So one of them stood on tiptoe, threw back her head and threw out her arms and said: “I'm Uncle Samta Claus, who holds up the world.” - “Well done!" cried Un('le1 Peter; “that's just it!" There wasn't any disappointment in the house the next worning. “Did you get all that you wanted?' asked' Uncle Peter. “Yes,” suid ' Mary. “Were you at all disappointed?” “N said Mary. When Mary sald “Goodness,” hér mother said, “Yom} shouldn’t say ‘goodness,’ Mary.” “Gra- cious!” said Mary. But Mary was mu‘ excited to have a care for her ex-, pressions. In describing the situation afterwards she said: “) was in,a pers fect stupor of excitement.” Uncle Peter had a present, too, After all the rest had been made happy Agnes brought out . parcel, | and when Uncle Peter opened it, there | were too big books that told over again the story of all that -Amerien had stood for and accomplished. This made him very glad indeed, and ha! ked them to write his name on the fiy leaf and to say that it was from . his Young Americans. Then the Christmas party ended with a verse of onr national anthem, heartily sung - with a hurrah for Uncle Sam instes 4nd be old Santa Claus yourselfy and followed by all the other versa? ol an amen, 4 e §