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THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS THE CHRONICLE, ( linton, S. C., December 26, 1968—21 m T\vas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not ev>en a mouse; — So begins one of the most beloved of all Christmas writings. It would be difficult to find anyone whose memory of childhood does not as sociate these words with the magic of the holiday season, to whom these words do not bring to mind the vis ion of Santa and his reindeer, and the exciting clatter of hoofs upon the roof. Author of the poem was Dr. Clement Clarke Moore, an aloof pro fessor of Greek and Oriental liter ature in the Episcopal Seminary in New York. Dr. Moore did not write the poem for publication. He wrote it on Christmas Eve, 1822, for the enjoyment of his seven children. It happened that on this particu lar Christmas Eve a relative was visiting the Moore family. She put a copy of the poem in her diary. The following holiday season, the relative’s father sen* a copy, unsigned as to author, to a newspaper. Other newspapers picked up the jingle and printed it in their columns. The poem quickly became known, loved, and repeated each Christmas 'throughout the country. Dr. Moore was not pleased. In fact, he was embarrassed. He felt it beneath the dignity of a man of his scholastic reputation to author of children's verses. As time went on, the poem became increasing!\' more famous and Dr. Moore, perhaps upon the urging of his proud family, finally admitted authorship. More than two decades after he penned the poem at the family fireside the jingles were pub lished in book form, under his name. Today, the world remembers Dr. Clement Clarke Moore not as a scholar, nor as a teacher, but as author of one of the world's most beloved Christmas poems. ItERP'x CHRlSTlfAS Wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays. Thanks for your support! CITY SHOE SHOP i 203 Musgrove St. 833-3272 ALWAYS A CHRISTMAS The bright eyes of child ren around a Christmas tree will always be with us. You can say it’s sentimental, but the old world needs more of that sentiment. You can say it’s unnecessay, but so are a mother’s kiss, a friendly handshake and the song of a robin. Christmas is the one day of the year when kindness and faith and joy have a right of way; a day when the hearts are brighter, when smiles are kindlier. Sure, there’ll al ways be a Christmas. Why Pick Chimney? St. Nick Has Reasons N Why does Santa come down the chimney? Of all the traditions con nected with Santa, his un conventional mode of entry might seem the most puz zling Surely the magical gift giver, who has the power to drive reindeer through the skies and w'ho can cover the earth in a single night, could find an easier way to enter THE CHRONICLE OFFICE SUPPLIES TELEPHONE 835-0541 GREENERY. . This attractive doorway is decorated with small white Christmas trees, white wreaths and an archway of season’s greenery. It says "Merry Christmas" in its own special way. Greetings there's wishing you the fulfillment of all your dreams for Christmas. Thank you lor your patronage. Maxwell Bros. Furniture 204 N. Broad St. 833-2628 **# + **** + *# » ♦ » ******** * * * ©fiftmaf To you, slneoro greotingt and thanks . . . with ovory good wish that the joy and delight of the Yuletlde will be yours. Dillard Boland, Jeweler 103 E. PitU St. 888-1028 » * * * * * * * * « * * * * + * « ♦ * * * * ♦ ♦ ♦ * * * ♦ ♦ * ♦ * * * « * * * * * ♦ * ♦ a house. Like most of the lore of Christmas, Santa's choice of the chimney has several ex planations. For instance, leg end has it that the original Santa, St. Nicholas, present ed three maidens with gifts of gold for a dowry. Modest ly concealing his generosity, he tossed the gold down a chimney, in secret Another theory claims that Santa copied a goddess, who was the first to deliver gifts via a chimney According to this legend, when the Vikings of Norway celebrated the Yuletlde or winter solstice in their great halls, a festive feature of the occasion was the appearance of the god dess Hertha in the fireplace. As her name indicates, Hertha was goddess of hearth and home, and most appro priately arrived by way of the chimney, to deliver her Yuletide gifts of good luck and good cheer. Still another explanation takes a practical point of view. Housewives of North ern Europe, cleaning house for the New Year, used to coax children to help with the chores by saying, “Let's clean the hearth. St. Nicho las will soon be coming down the chimney '' The children willingly set to work, and thus, says leg end, a tradition was born Even when he takes to heli copter or jet plane, Santa de livers his gifts by way of the chimney! HOLIDAY PUNCH For a holiday punch, com- SEASONAL. . .Angels and C hristmas bells against a back bine cranberry juice with club ground of colorful gift wrapping were used to arrange this soda, carbonated beverages, attractive holiday doorway, champagne or wine. PTEACE At Christmas, a special prayer: May mankind be blessed with “Peace on Earth.” And a special wish: May your personal Christmas be a most happy one. CATAWBA TIMBER CO. Christmas is a Holy Day, a day of Grace and gratitude. Most of all it, means joy and hope for the world. Beyond the fun and festivities, there is the spirit of faith in the good ness and good will of people everywhere. ★★★★★★★★★★ * L At this crisp and exciting time of year, ice are hopeful that your holiday will he filled with joyous warmth, richly shared with those you hold dear. And to you, our customers, we express our thanks and appreciation for your continued patronage. Merry Christmas! COMMUNITY CASH #*****♦♦**♦*****♦♦****♦*****♦ May the light of joy and good will shine brightly into the hearts of all mankind, as on the Holy Night when the Prince of Peace was born. During this Christmas season, we wish you and yours an abundance of holiday blessings. And at this time we say a special “Thank You” for the privilege of serving you. T. E. Jones & Sons, Furniture 200 W. Main St. ★★★★★★★★ c m***mv** * ♦ * * * * * * + + if >f