Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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, i Pagt Two THE CUNTON CHRONICLE Thursday, December 22, 1949 Carolina voices o! children 7 cou Id ih is meon buf '^tPhristmas ? The crackling of holly leaves, mistletoe over the door, caroling voices of children . . . what else could this mean but Christmas? Yes, that joyous day is here and we of this organization wish you the most delightful one anybody could have. Young’s Pharmacy Phone 19 WALGREEN AGENCY Clinton, S. C. r ACH year, we offer a little message fo tell you we ore remembering oH the nice court esies afforded us in the post and to let you know we truly appreciate your thoughtfulness ond consideration. So, while you ore enjoying the fes* tive Christmas season, remember, we ore thinking of you. ■ MfckRY CHRISTMAS Eastside Greenhouse Mr. and Mrs. Brunson Asbill Phone 520-J # » FIXES THINGS UP By Dorothy Boys Kilian I T WAS Christmas Eve but the group of people sitting on the floor in the Reeds’ living-room cer tainly weren’t in a festive mood. “Doggonitt,” Dad exclaimed as he stared gloomily at the shiny tracks and the motionless cars of a new electric train. “What’s wrong with this thing anyway?” “We’ve put it together exactly ac-1 cording to directions, I’m sure we have,” fifteen-year-old Rick in sisted. 1 “Well, something’s got to be done,” said Mom, looking in from the kitchen where she was stuffing the turkey. “Little Jackie’s been praying for that train for months, and how’ll he feel tomorrow morn ing if the thing won’t run?” “Maybe Ralph can help. He’s coming by for me in a few minutes, you know,” said Wilma, the pretty big sister of the family. “Oh, him!” Rick was scornful. “That guy from the big city with He picked op the shiny black engine carefully and turned it over and over. He put it up to eye level and peered into its workings. his socks and ties and handker chiefs that match! What does he know about motors?” “Rick!” Mom reproved. “Oh, I know you all think of him as an outsider," Wilma said. “If you only really knew him better! Mom, I do wish you’d let me ask him to breakfast tomorrow.” “I'm sorry dear, but I just don’t think he’d fit in.” The doorbell rang. Wilma an swered it and she and Ralph ex changed happy hellos. Rick immediately threw out the challenge to the tall, blond, well- dressed young man. “We can’t make this train go. Can you tell what’s wrong with it?” “Maybe,” Ralph said quietly. “I used to have a train something like this.” “Look out, that cotton batting stuff will stick to your trousers,” Dad warned. “That's snow, and the snow around here is clean.” Dad looked slightly startled. Wilma smiled. She remembered how impressed Ralph had been by the whiteness of the drifts even on Main street last night. “The flakes are practically sooty before they even reach the ground in Chicago,” he had said. “Tracks are, O.K.” Ralph straightened up. Then he picked up the shiny black engine care fully and turned it over and over. He put it up to eye level and peered into its workings. “The professional touch!” Rick muttered. “There may be oil in the com mutator,” Ralph said. “That some times happens with a new engine. I'll see if I can get it out.” “I’ll get you a rag, Ralph, just a minute.’’“Wilma got up and started for the kitchen. “Never mind, this’ll do,” Ralph answered, pulling his perfectly folded wine-colored handkerchief out of his jacket pocket. He worked quietly for a moment, gently poking the corner of the handkerchief into the inside of the engine. Then he set the engine care fully down on the track and said, “Turn on the juice, will you Rick?” Rick meekly moved forward the black lever at the transformer. There was a whirring sound, the wheels began to .move, and the lit tle puffer-billy whizzed and clacked around the curve. “Praises be!” Dad heaved a loud sigh of relief. Ralph quietly got up from the floor and turned to Wilma. “Maybe we’d better go now, if we want to catch the gang.” “All right, Ralph,” Wilma said. Her eyes turned pleadingly to Mrs. Reed, “Mom—” “Oh, yes, Wilma," Mom inter rupted. Turning to R^lph she said heartily, “In all the excitement we almost forgot td ask you to be sure to come over for late breakfast with us tomorrow. It’s just a simple family affair, but we surely would like to have you with us.” “You bet." Dad's eyes twinkled. “Something might go wrong again and we'd feel safer with you around ti fix ft."