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A Star at C By Donn; Snow blanketed houses and trees. In the house in the center, the one with the smoke billowing from the chimney, a Christmas tree glows in the picture win dow, and a wreath hangs on the door. There you can imagine little Jessamine, mommying an entourage of stuffed animals on a rug in front of the tree. She hears the clink of plates her mother takes for Dorothy, her sister, to place on the table. "Jessamine, come on," her mother calls to her. Jessamine tells her animals to "stay right there" and runs for her seat beside Mommy. Dorothy, a teenager, sits across from Mommy beside Daddy. Jessamine inhales the aroma of the food; but more, she pays attention to what the grownups are saying. It's Richmond they're talking about, and going on the train Saturday. Jessamine lets it all sink in ? like the food ? and feels content. Wait until she tells the animals she's taking the train trip. Jessamine was bundled into clothes before she went to bed. Awakened for the trip to the train station in the night. The unusual sight of the clerk with his visor and gold watch at the station, and people ? soldiers, famililes, old people, and young ? walking around and sitting up, talking in the blinding light. Jessamine rubbed her eyes and drowsed against her mother. And on the trip on the train she saw black fields, dim lights inside, pillows at the headrest, some people sleeping, others talking. Occasional stops by covered walkways at obscure train stations, always accompanied by a sign. "Emporia" was the only one where Jessamine awoke until "Petersburg." By then the sun was up, and Dorothy was exclaiming, "We'll be at Richmond soon." Mommy was telling Jessamine: "Here, you can sit by the window so that you can get a good view of the city." And Jessamine was pressing her nose against the glass, breathing a fog onto the window, trying to spot Richmond across the fields until she sat back beside Dollv. In Thalheimer's the only thing familiar that Jessamine was aware of was Mommy's hand pressing to hers. As they walked down the aisle, she gazed into glass displays of jewelry and perfume and purses and scarves. In the center was an escalator. Nudged by her mother, Jessamine gingerly stepped on and rode up, & LOOKING FOR A WAY TO ^ AN EXTRA $120 ^ A MOMTH??? w A A XTA V/l ^ AX Al fa 2$* Let Hyland Plasma Center He ^ BAXTER, HYLAND PLASMA CE v? would like to thank the 2^ U.S.C. Students who contri|^> buted during the 1988 - 89 school year to the production l/Jr of many life saving products through the donation of their 2^ plasma. fa GIVE LIFE - GIVE PLASMA ^ BAXTER, HYI.AND PLASMA CENTI 1620 Gervais Street Columbia Ihristmas a Padgett glancing beyond the garland trim to the lights and decorations in the store. The second floor held the lady's fashions ? wools in tweeds and Dlaids. luxurious wpatw shimmprv lingerie and bright party dresses. Party dresses ? that was their destination. A red satin strapless gown for Dorothy's Christmas dress. Dorothy would wear her long dark hair pulled up. With her light skin and deep blue eyes she would look enchanting in the dress. Soon Mommy was paying for it at the cash register, and Jessamine was staring at the assorted boxes on shelves under the counter. Going to buy dresses for Dorothy was always the same. Nothing to play with. Only hems of dresses to look at. Grey-haired sales clerks speaking kindly to her like Grandma. And always buying something for Dorothy. Mother and Daddy were talking about going to Toyland. Toyland was where Santa Claus was, they said. Dorothy got to carry her package. Having someone hold onto your hand and walking among the crowds in a department store is tiring. Jessamine was tired of stepping in her black patent shoes. Soon, though, they were standing in Toyland, and Jessamine was staring at a plush brown bear with orange eyes. They were in a line of people ? all with ?u:\A -l.* J - cuuuicu? uiai inovea ever so siowiy toward a big chair. But soon they were close and Jessamine was looking at Santa Claus! Child after child sat in his lap and told Santa what he or she wanted for Christmas. Now it was Jessamine's turn, and Santa Claus was lifting her up in his lap. She was sitting on his knee and gazing at his wavy silver beard. "Ho, ho, ho. And what would you like this year for Christmas, little girl?" Jessamine brushed her bangs from her forehead. She didn't know! .. .She wanted a doll. She told Santa: "... and a sled . . . and a ball . . . and a scarf for my dog, Muffy, for Christmas." "Well, that's very nice," Santa said. "I'll see what I can do about that," Santa assured her, and she was See A STAR page 8 ^ Ms EARN 9$ I \uptRIOR ^ IJ Ffe&v $ 11 HS# p. & n.,ovO# NTER *0^* 9$ ^ DATCHOUU OILS g__ 4&Pr: P | ><. M .v., RENEE MEYER/The Gamecock 'Tis the season The lanterns in front on Russell House have also been primped for the holiday season. Bows were tied around the lamps last week. Mfficr CM 1 W JV f II 2111 G^^eSt. 5 Pts. ^ ^ I Columbia, S.C. 29205