The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, December 20, 1936, Page 15

L'S LIGHT RACHEL'S LIGHT, CHRISTMAS EVE, A GUIDING STAR . “Wonder if Harris would care? Shall I do it, then ask him after- ward?” Rachel Stanton, the morn- ing of Christmas eve, looked admir- ingly at the brilliant tree in the pleasant living room, then hurried to brush snow from Harris, who, stamping in from the back porch, panted: “I've cleaned the driveways to barns and road but will have to do it again today. What were you say- ing?” he was interrupted by Rachel. | “The radio announces that thci snow plow from Warnton has stuck | at the corner and will have to be, dynamited out. No one can get through highways farther than the crossroad’s corner,” Rachel hur- ried to the telephone’s jingling. “It was Martha calling. Sie and/ Gene and the children started here | but are blocked in at a home of | kind strangers. I wish we could get | food to the Harrison family in lhei Bottoms. They have no telephone,; no near neighbors, and would freeze : if they tried to get here through | high drifts. Such a winter! It looks as though our Christmas will be “we | two,” she sighed at the color-lighted ' tree. “Well, T see I'll have to shovel} out the driveways again,” Harris' announced, pulling on jacket and gloves. i Later when he went inside to| warm his fingers he heard Martha humming and was thankful that she was cheerful over the disap- pointment of Christmas eve without her relatives. Odors of savory food and the attractive table with Christ- mas colors, were inviting as he stamped in after evening chores were finished. “Tonight will be the worst so far this winter. The wind is rising and snow blowing. A terrible night. Sure- 1y no one would . venture on high- ways—why—where is the free? Did you dump it outside because our company didn’t come?” he looked, to be sure Rachel was sane, then at the empty corner where the tree had stood. | “Yes, the radio announced the temperatures will be lowest of the season, so far.” 3 “The tree, Rachel! Did you throw it out?” “That’s exactly what I did—only I—didn’t throw—"a shout from out- side sent Harris quickly to the door. “Come in from the terrible bliz- zard, you poor frozen—how did y get here?” Rachel helped Ha unwrap five shivering visitors, and Mrs. Harrison and children. “Oh, it's been terrible getting here. But it was either to freeze and starve at home or risk getting here, Mr. Harrison wheezed. “But, how did you?” Harris be- gan. “Outside—see the dogs. We hitch- ed them to the sled. The blessed creatures helped us over drifts which are now frozen.” Steaming food was soon on plates and faithful dogs were lapping milk and broth near the kitchen range. “How did you find the direction— the way in blinding snow?” Har- ris, looked puzzled. ., 'Well, we got to the top of King’s Ridge in the pasture, and came to- 7ard the light. The light near your grove, back there,” the visitor point- ed toward the west. guided us.” “What light?” Harris stammered. “Harris, dear, will you please carry our Christmas tree back into the house? I carried it outside this “That light THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE, SUNDAY, DEC. 20, 1936 morning to the grove and put foodl on it for birds, wild ducks and any ‘puddlng. It was being formed into other wild animls that need food |cone-shaped mounds, resembling and shelter. Then, tonight, I hung | Christmas snow. that large lantern with the strong | All eyes were now focused ex- light on top the tree to guide whu-]peclflnl}y upon the rich creamy ever might need it.” | mountains of rice and they could Merry laughter rang into theiscarcely wait until they dipped night as nuts were cracked and | their spoons into its foamy depths.| corn popped. Christmas morning Mr. | Lois was blinking at Em and care- Harrison helped keep snow from |fully chewing each individual rice driveways and a path to the grove | kernel, so as not to miss the al- where the children carried food to|mond. Em was slyly winking at a stack of fodder which the men |mother and smiling confidently. had placed for the wild animals. Father was too pleased for words “Snow may be drifted high out- |as he calmly viewed the whole situa- side. But kindness inside of me|tion with satisfied enthusiasm, se- needs never be blocked so it can|cretly hoping that he would not not be scattered and be a guide to|come upon the almond. others,” Rachel mused after the| Where on earth was the Christ- happy Christmas of the worst win- ! mas almond? All had quite finished ter. with ro sign of the coveted nut. | A stiange silence pervaded, coupled {with a surprised sense of dismay e e—— “GLURIF|ED 'and_disappointment. | “Julia,” called mother, to the girl (In the kitchen, “have you eaten your |rice pudding yet?” GHRISTMAS { “Yes, Mrs. Allen,” promptly res- ponded Julia. Wl hat is the matter, my dear, you 99 look so upset?” | “Im sorry, Mrs. Allen, but I al- | most broke my tooth on a strange nut I found in the pudding.” A louder roar of laughter than was ever heard before, permeated the holiday atmosphere as one by ! one they tried to explain the Christ- mas almond to Julia. As the laugh- | ter ended, the “Glorified Christmas | Pudding” once more faded away into tradition. ., in_the dishing up of this delicious | By ALICE B. PALMER ok A soft carpet of fresh snow spark- led in the sun and the whole of Christmas was in the room as Lois opened her eyes, yawned contented- ly and then suddenly remembered the great conquest of the day—“the Christmas Pudding!” “Oh Em,” she shouted, radiant with joy and keen with excitement. “Wake up! Wake up! It's Christ- Soplen “What's that?” murmured Em, sleepily. “Oh yes, hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?” Every year, as far back as Lois and Em could remember, they had looked forward with youthful an- ticipation to the Glorified Chr mas Pudding. 'Twas a Swedish rice delicacy, in which an almond had always been concealed. Tradition had proclaimed that the lucky per- son who came upon the holiday nut in his Christmas pudding was to be the first one married. What fun it had been through the year, “Well, girls,” spoke mother, beam- ing with the holiday spirit, “who is to get the almond in the Christmas pudding? This is leap year, you know.” Lois and Em giggled, knowingly, exchanging winks, as both were secretely engaged to be married. Soon mother was busily engaged %x&%%ng@mm@ JUST A GREETING TO EXPRESS THE SAME GOOD WISH FOR HAPPINESS ELLEN’S ~ CASH GROCERY How to Keep Tree Fresh At Christmas If a Christmas tree is set in water | when it first comes into the house | and is kept in water while it is part of the Christmas decoration, it will remain fresh and green for at least a week longer. Water should | be replaced as it evaporates. If the! base of a Christmas tree is trimmed | with a sharp knife just before it is | mounted, the pores will be left open, | allowing water to rise in the stem | to the living cells which are still| trying to provide the tree with food | and moisture. Spruce and fir retain | their needles longer than most other | Christmas trees. i e | California is the only state in the Union containing areas of substan-| tial size that lie below sea level. | ....and reawakens the apprecia- tion of pleasant associations . . . . rekindles the warmth of friend- ships. keep Juneau and Douglas Telephone Co. May the season find and you rich in happiness. BUT ONCE A YEAR, BUT IT. 1S GLORIOUS “Thank goodness,” Coodwin, bubfing about her Kit- chen, “Christmas comes but_once a year.” She wiped back a loose wisp of graying hair with a weary ges- ture. “But it will be fine seeing you again, Lad,” she murmured, think- ing of her distant son. “Now, let’s see. Those star cookies you're SO fond of—" She glanced at the hurry- ing clock. Loud shrieks of laughter under her window interrupted her thoughts. Those new neighbor chil- dren again. If they were diftying up her freshly swept walk! She strode grimly to the porch. There was a path in the snow from their yard, around hers, and back again to their own, where all four of them had apparently trudged, pushing a snow ball, across her walk in two places. A tussel started suddenly, said Martha and then they were all tumbling about in the snow, shrieking at the top of their voices. Martha scolded shrilly at them, and they stood up, an abashed lit- tle line of stair steps. he idea! On Christmas, too!” Martha chid- ed. “Whatever is the matter with your ma, that she lets you make such a racket?” “She’s sick,” answered the oldest girl “Sick! Then all the more reason why you should keep still. Shame on you.” The little group stood like statues. Martha tucked in the wisp of hair. “You children come in here and sit still while I work, and I'll tell you a story,” she invited. “Mind you wipe your feet.” “I suppose it shouyld be a Christ- mas story,” Martha began. “Do you know about the shepherds and the wise men?” “Yes'm,” they chorused. “We go {to Sunday school,” added the old- est girl. “Then,” Martha asked her, I tell you about Santa Clau: Her face clouded a little. “Moth- er told us that,” she answered so- berly “Oh,” said Martha. She dusted the flour from her hands and turned “shall to baste the turkey. Four pairs of eager eyes watched her every move. | The doorbell rang. | “Laddie! Good heavens,” cried |Martha, slipping off her apron, and rushed to the door. But instead it was a telegram: “Awfuly sorry darling but I just can't get away. Do try to have a merry Christmas. Go on a spree and T'll foot the bill. Expect to be able to get down for New Year's and will explain everything then. Love, Laddie.” Martha Goodwin read it twice. Then she smoothed the straying wisp of hair and went back to the kitchen. “Well,” the older girl was expain- ing, “it’s sort of like a chicken, I guess, only ever so much bigger.” The four children looked up a: Martha entered. “Why, what's thi matter, Mrs. Goodwin?” “My son—I was expecting him — |he isn't coming.” “Gee,” came a sympathetic chor- us. “And you'd fixed everything so nice and—and Christmassy.” “I'm not going to have it spoiled,” |Martha decided. “Here,” she said and draped the holly wreath over the youngest's arm. ou,” she said to the next one, “carry the pota- | toes, and you take the mince pie— s e May This Joyous Season BRING YOU A YULETIDE OF MUCH HAPPINESS PROSPERITY HEALTH AND ¢0OD CHEER careful, it's hot—and you, eldest, “take the | think T can manag | “But where are we going | “Over to your house. Weren't you about to miss out on Christmas din- | ner?” “Dinner first, then presents,” suggested, and when, having eaten all they could hold, they gathered about the holly, she found a crude- ly wrapp>d present for herself. It was a picture scrapbook, somewhat smudged. Were those te: | win's eyes? Surel, | smiling “Why, thank you,” she exclaimed. ‘Such a lovey surprise: My added, “I do wish Christmas came more than once a year.” - e to the vegetabl I the tur! Children of Hollarid bétleve- that St. Nicholas was a m— Spanish bishop who,, had, heg about their land of dikes, . land tulips and decided to pay it a visit, says Johan t.in {Picture Tales from Hollai ‘He‘grfifi there long years ago on Deceml 5, and began giving childred pres- ents. Since then he has always re- turned on that night to fill . the wooden shoes of Dutch children with gifts. The children in turn leave out some carrots. _or hay for his horse. s in Martha Good- not, for she was e Just What |Is Meant she Two human skeletor together {with bronze busts illustrating the | helemts and armor of Roman sold- By Christmas Pl |iers, have been found at Brough | The first meaning, of, Christmas in Yorkshire, England, beneath the |15, that of generosity, inspired by old Roman road from the River |Me 8reat gift of God fo, manking Humber to York. They have been |The Selfish sway of the ‘md-“h placed in Hull Museum. broken at least for 3. {ime. alid the o Christ Spirit is born in our he: Sometimes the exchange of Beaver returned to the Royal, is carried too far and a | Nebraska section after an absence | burden instead of a pleasure zm of half a century. Reason for the | anything that makes the work | return’ was not known selfish is beautiful and gobd. B VNN