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v. Pa^e Four V - ^ ~ THE CLINTON CHRONICLE Thursday, December 22, 1949 \ o As the yeors roll by we realize more and more i . ' how much it means to have the confidence of folks like you. It is a pleasure to wish you a Merry Christmas. Chaney’s Dress Shoppe Mrs. Ethel Chaney CLINTON — LAURENS It won't b« long until old Saint Nick will be knocking at your chim ney, bringing you loads of happiness and joy. But before he arrives, we wont to drop in for just o little visit to wish you a JOYFUL CHRISTMAS H. D. Payne Go. EVERY HEART By Vera Tarplej «DUT THEY don’t believe In 'B’ Christmas, Jim—y o u know ' that.” Laura wished she hadn’t 1 spoken quite so loudly; her remark had stopped in midstream three rapid-running conversations. Her guests studied the rug pattern. Jim merely looked at his wife in silence. *T mean, after all,” she went on, "it’s not their religion. . . so I as- j sumed it would be embarrassing— [ to them—to invite them to our Christmas party.” She swallowed uncomfortably. “And I assumed that this party was for all the fellows in our office, including Ben.” He smiled then, but didn’t soften the accusation. Everyone in the room knew of the close . friendship between Jim and Ben—they only guessed at his wife’s i resentment of the friendship. i ■ “Say, that’s was pulling "He asked us to sing ‘Silent Night’ and guess what? He gave us ten dollars! And she invited us in and gave us candy and cookies.” Mr. Adams, office manager, broke the silence next. ‘T wouldn’t wor ry about it too much, Jim. After all, Christmas is . . .” He emptied | his glass and returned it to the coffee-table. ‘‘.And we all feel a lit- , tie differently about the holiday than they do.” About nine o’clock carolers came | to the door, singing lustily and j slightly off-key, ‘‘Let every heart I prepare him room . . ." The oldest caroler was scarcely twelve. H* rattled a box full of coins. Mr. Adams snatched the donation box from him, ceremoniously deposited nine pennies, and passed from guest to gqest, bowing after each dona-; tion. Everyone put in nickels and dimes. Jim put in a five-dollar bill and everyone shouted “Show-offI” Laura was annoyed but kept still. Laura and Jim’s little girl, Bonny, ; was out caroling too, but her group covered a different neighborhood. I No one noticed much when the telephone rang later in the evening and Jim went to answer it. But they noticed Jim’s face when he returned to the living-room—it was < white and twitched unpleasantly. Laura walked over to him. ‘‘Who was it, dear?” “It was Ben—he called to apolo gize for not coming tonight.” ‘‘His daughter’s been in Chil- ! dren’s Hospital for the past month, J you know.” Adams broke in. right—Ben said she out of it—that was last week I be lieve. How’s she doing, did he say?” ‘‘She died this afternoon.” Nobody seemed to have anything more to say after that. The party broke up within the next half-hour. Just as the Adamses were leav ing, Bonny came in from caroling. She was flushed ‘with happiness and excitement. Laura clutched her in her arms convulsively. “Did your group make a big haul tonight, Bonny?” “Did we!” she gasped. ‘‘We got more than any other group \ bet! And Mon, we sang for that Mr. Ben, at Daddy’s office, and—” “Oh but you shouldn’t havel” Laura looked at Jim with alarm. “Why not, Mom? He asked us to sing “Silent Night,” and guess what? He gave us ten dollars! And she invited us in and gave us candy and cookies, and gee, they’re nice! And I told them hello from you and Daddy, and you know what? She cried! Isn’t that funny, mother?” Jim looked at his stricken wife and wanted to take her in his arms, but Mr. and Mrs. Adams were standing there with their mouths open, so he merely grasped her hand firmly. Bonny babbled on hap pily. “And you know what else? Mr. Ben asked me what the donations went for, and when I told him he took all the money out of his wal let and put it in our box, can you imagine? And then 1 asked him if he had any boys or girls like us and would they like to go caroling with us and he said no. And then she started crying again and we left. Waan’t that funny?” Mr. Adams cleared his throat. “By, the way, Bonny, just what were those donations for anyway? I forgot to notice. “Why, for the Children’s Hospital fund—or something like that—it al printed on the box.” 1 V a , VOURSjcl It has been a pleosuro to serve you In times gone by and it ts our sincere wish that we may i continue to have an opportunity to serve you irt the days to come. Merry Christmas to you, one ond all. Cox Home & Auto 201 North Broad Street Tke JoyA Olnotken. Gkh.iAtm.a4 Once more, os we proclaim the approach of another Christmas season, we find ourselves remembering oil the fine friendships ond courtesies that have made the past twelve months memorable and enjoyable for us. Friendships are invaluable—they are essential to a happy existence and we recall with pride the associations we hove with a friendly community. To each of you, we express our gratitude ond extend best wishes for a season of great joy! ? > Cooper Motor Company YOUR DODGE AND PLYMOUTH DEALER^ ~