The Daily Alaska empire Newspaper, December 21, 1937, Page 14

@@\mnw/// Mrs. Greene sighed as she rum- maged through the old trunk for the Christmas decorations. Sighed, and felt ashamed. For why should she be lonely, with two fine grown sons, successful enough to satisfy any mother? But Mrs. Greene missed her tousled<headed lads, and as she fin- | gered the battered drum, the out- | grown mittens, the books and sou- venirs, she felt a deep pang that no one needed her any longer. She found the decorations and bustled down. Mary, the house- keeper the boys provided, had fin- ished. There was really nothing left to be done. She thought of other tired Christmas eves,. and could stand the oppression of memories no longer. “I'm going out,” she said, and with no other explanation set out_into the night. It was crisp and starlit, and she walked far. The light and warmth of a cafe attracted her, and she stopped for tea. Over the rim of her teacup her eyes met those of a | small boy just outside the window. He drew back shyly, leaving a moist spot where his nose had touched the pane. He looked very | hungry, not just the healthy hunger which her sons had brought home from school, but as though he were really in need. Mrs. Greene smiled and beckoned. “Come in,” she in- vited. The boy shook his head, started to go, but the temptation | of warmth and food was too much. “That’s better,” Mrs. Greene ap- proved, when he was seated oppo- site her, with a great bowl of soup. “I just needed someone to talk to.” And before long she had heard the boy’s whole story. Having no folks, he lived with an uncle, but he wanted to get out on his own. There were so many little ones, and after all, he didn't really be- | long. He'd get by. He knew where | he -could get a paper route right now, if he only had a bicycle. “I know where there’s a bicycle standing useless in an attic corner,” said Mrs. Greene. “It belonged to my sons. You shall have it.” His shining eyes made the whole night seem brighter. They left to- gether. There was more than the bicycle. It seemed a shame, Mrs. Greene Vo And Before Long She Heard the | Boy’s Whole Story. said, for mittens not to be used, and these books, now, and—well, why not? Mary would be scandal- ized, and her sons might not under- stand — but there was their room, never opened now— “Listen, lad,” she said. ‘“I've been aching my heart out for a son. And you need a home. Couldn’t we give ourselves to each other for a Christmas present? Won't you be my son?” “Gee!” cried the boy, voicing a wonder of love and gratitude. “You can sure have me, and Merry Christmas; Merry, Merry Christ- mas, Mother!” e Kitclien Spooris Dance New Tunes Kitchen utensils step out of their usual robes in the kitchen and be- come the main attraction at your party when you use the clever lit- tle tin figurines for a centerpiece for your table. Funnels, beaters, spoons and all manner of pieces have been put together to form the little figures and then patined for decoration. —veo——— Have a “Hideaway” Every person in the house down to the baby should haye one place that is strictly and private his own where Christmas gifts may be put away. Then everyone is put on his 'honor not to peek. Xmas Poinsetties The brilliant street lights of a large city were flickering into the cozy front apartment of the Malory |sisters. They were sitting alone (on Christmas eve enjoying their snow white tree bleaming under its | burden of blue electric bulbs in true | modern fashion, “Oh, dear,” sighed Lois, “doesn’t Christmas always remind you of [, poinsettas?” "Sure does,” replied her sister, Holiday Plant & | wistfully. “How could we ever fors' get them? Remember how mother used to send us out in the sleigh to deliver those scarlet beauties to our friends, every Christmas? Those were the good old days!” “Wasn’t. it fun, though? I can just see the dear old home simply loaded down with the ‘Christmas stars’ as we used to call them.” At this very moment several blocks down the street the telephone ringing profusely in one of the bus- iest florist shops on the avenue. An order was being placed for the largest and very best pointsetta plant in stock. It was to be deliv- ered to the Misses Lois and Mae Malory, on Rugby Street. Just fifteen minutes later the door bell. at this residence rang and a messenger delivered the gift beau- | tifully wrapped and tied in Christ- mas colors. “Oh Lois, come quick!” shouted Mae. “A gift from the home town. | What can iti be?” one mass of crimson stars! could have sent it?” When they discovered the card, |it was more puzzling than ever, for ithe only inscription upon it was, | “Poinsettas For Christmas.”—Alice | B. Palmer. Mailing Early The first reference to “mail ear- |1y” in the Post Office Department was at the time the parcel post was | established. Sending packages over- jseas during the World war em- | phasized the idea, and" succeeding |years have found mailed packages |more evenly distributed over the weeks before Christmas. es is in November, 1913. This & THE DAILY ALASKA EMPIRE, TUESDAY, DEC. 21 ks Spirit of Christmas We wish you all brimful measure of gladness, and of all worthwhile things that life can give Christmas Time SR . ... and we hope this next year will be most GREETINGS! : ‘ happy, most prosperous for you. > ] T W R FROM THE Shattuck " INSURANCE ....MAY ALL GOOD THINGS BE YOURS AS YOU SPEED THROUGH HAPPY HOLIDAYS INTO A PROSPEROUS 1938! [UNEAU LUMBER MILLS, Inc. b Be S e o % S i iy