Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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/ ■ Page Six THE CLINTON CHRONICLE Thursday, December 24, 1953 AND ALL GOOD WISHES TO YOU — WHOSE CONFIDENCE WE TREASURE NEWBERRY COUNTY BANK Goldville Branch JOANNA, S. C. May we extend our • J ’ v.t • , . . * 1^. ^ r A. - , r - *A k *V,Tiv. » ■*r - » ,vv I BEST WISHES I For a Happy Holiday Season to Each of our good Friends. JAMES E. WOLFE INSURANCE AGENCY * From One Friend to Another McMILLAN’S SERVICE STATON W. M. McMillan SINCLAIR PRODUCTS TO OUR CUSTOMERS »and ••• A HAPPY NEW YEAR MORRISON FURNITURE COMPANY By SHIRLEY SARQENT N ACCOUNT of being the old- est in a big family. I’ve been baby sitting longer than I remem ber. Since I was twelve—that’d be four years now that I’m with in hinting distance of mV sixteenth birthday—I’ve been sitting for other people for pay. I’ve always welcomed jobs but tonight wha: I'd welcome is a date—so what happens? Four times I’m called to our wall phone and four times I have to turn people down 'cause I already promised the Laytons The Laytons are kinda old to have Jennie, four, and Jimmy, six, but they planned it so their first two would be grown-up be fore they had any more. Anyway, nobobdy calls me for a date, not that anyone does very often, so I'm off for an evening of fun and hilarity. Baby sitting, haw! They aren’t babies, and try and sit with those two. For ex ample, Jennie gnaws a fruitcake while I’m helping Jimmy with his train, they have two fights. Jimmy turns on all the lights as fast as 1 turn them off and finally Jennie knocks the Christmas tree over It was a big tree with a standard and all. but she catches it with her jump rope. Quick-like I run in and pull out the plug, thanking my stars that no fire started, then herd them up to bed. Three stones later they’re both asleep and I hurry down to wash the dishes. Tired now. I'm thinking of the good time my friends are having and wondering again why I don’t 1 have more dates. The hall mirror shows the same old reflection. "Oh, pl«*ase,” his face is all eager, "stay. I hate to be alone." Short brown hair, browm eyes and a big mouth that hides my crooked teeth, if I don't forget and grin Soon's I have a little more money I can afford braces. Jennie yells and I wake her from a nightmare. By the time I'm back downstairs, it’s nearly ten o'clock and I've still got that darned tree to set up. Like I say it’s a beautiful big tree, ceiling high, loaded with decorations There I am half under the tree trying to hold it straight and kee tbe globes on at the same ♦ime when I hear the fr< nt door rr® Somebody yells. "Anybody hem®’ I’m so startled I let the tree r-way. so this voire yel!s, "Ti er!" and a long arm grabs fi he trunk. Looking up between th< branches. I see a tall, dark-haired bey. neither handsome nor home ly ‘ Thanks,” I’m a little breat* less. ‘Tm Oliver Layton," he ex plains, "isn’t that a heck of r n::me?" Pine needles are thick in th air. ’Not so awdul.” 1 laugh oa<k "I’m Margie, the sitter Yn folks are out." ‘J know. Look here, can’t w» Jo something about this tree 1 ” A few minutes later we collcps into chairs, staring at .the still 'ovely tree. “Thanks so much. Car I get you something to eat or any thing 1 ’’ "Say, that’d be keen. Woul you?” Well, of course, I do and. while Oliver eats, he tells me how he’s staying at a friend’s this vacation but decided to come home and take his girl to a dance. "So I called her and came clear in by bus, but she didn’t wait. She went with somebody else. Heck.” he grins, "now I’m sorta glad she stood me up.” ’T’d better be on my way now that you’re here to baby sit," I say reluctantly. "Oh, please," his face is all '■ager, "stay. I hate to be all alone." Back in the living room then, he asks me all about the kids and about me until, to hear us talk vou’d think we were old friends. T ike the way he talks, slow and '^uiet, and the way his grin lights up his whole face. He tells me about boarding school and his friends and what he wants to do Suddenly, he jumps up. "Let’s dance. We can roll up the rug . . It turns out we’re both such sad dancers we have to take our shoes off so’s not to hurt each other. But we laugh a lot and the radio sounds *fine and I fit right into Oliver’s arms. At midnight, he kisses me lightly on the cheek. Well, it’s the happiest sitter's eve I’ve ever spent and. from the look in his eyes. I can tell it’s going to be a Happy Holiday. N- Make it merry... have plenty of Coke SOTTlf 0 UNDiR AUTHORITY OF THE COCA-COIA COMPANY SY GREENWOOD COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO., Greehwood, S. C. S the Merry Christmas bells herald the coming of another Season of joy and happiness, we extend to you, not only our Christmas greetings, but a word of thanks for your friendly response to our efforts to serve you. CHRISTMASTIME McGee’s Drug Store YOUR NO. 1 DRUGGIST tm ——— V*- ♦ L i