Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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SECTION 3—PAGE 4 THE NEWBERRY SUN NEWBERRY DRY GOODS CO. 1004 Main Street Mrs. C. J. McWhirter & Son Here's wishing to our many friends in an old- fashioned way . . . that the many blessings of Christmas time, linger long past Christmas day . . • Chapman-Hawkins Hardware fflttXV " Cfcrfetma* 1319 Main Street Newberry, S. C. frC FILL BOWLER Repair shop 617 Glenn St. Phone 411 CHRISTMAS especially reminds us that we should thank God for His greatest gift to us: c "For unto you is born this day a Savior which is Christ, the Lord.** Let us also remember how Christ ministered to others, especially to those who are among the less fortunate. Let us ever preserve a social conscience as Christ com manded us: "What ye do unto the least of these, ye do unto Me.” To you and your loved ones, we extend our most sincere wishes. ■ * - - \ Ml NEWTON TIRE & RECAPPING COMPANY Phone 237 914 Main St. Newberry, S. C- A CHRISTMAS REPARATION BY D.l ALEXANDER urfOLKS, as you all know, we " are gathered together here in the Mistletoe school house this eve ning to hold our annual Christmas celebration.” Don Baker, master of ceremo nies, paused, motioning someone to quiet down from the talking and playing children. ‘‘We have prepared a delightful program of singing, reading and recitations which I hope you will all enjoy. After the program pres ents will be distributed. This has been a hard year on all of us, and presents have been hard to obtain. However, through the generosity of various ones in the community we are able to make each and every one a small gift of some kind.” He stopped and looked toward the door. Two hundred heads turned and eyes opened with as tonishment at seeing the tall, spare figure of Aaron Thorndyke in the doorway. He advanced a step, and with a slight apologetic smile said: “I hope I’m not intruding.” “I—ah—you are welcome, Mr. Thorndyke,” Don Baker invited after a few moments of sileqce. “If I may. I’d like very much to "i V/ “Folks,” he began, as he faced them, “I have come here tonight to explain my past at titude toward you.” give a little taxk to you folks.” He cast a- wistful glance around. “Come right up front,” Baker suggested. “The program is about to begin, and,” he hesitated, “we are glad to have you with us.” Stares of wonderment, a few of thinly veiled hostility, followed the figure of Mr. Thorndyke as be made his way calmly down tike ,, ^ j’’* aisle. To the children he had been classed as a “boogy man” who would visit dire punishment on them for misbehaving; to the older ones he was a recluse replusing any efforts of friendship, and an enigma to those who tried vainly to affix his character. Double Reasons “Folks,” he began, as he faced them, “I have come here tonight to explain my past attitude toward you. I moved into your community a year ago, and have not been very sociable with you. That is be cause my only son was killed in Korea and my wife died as a result of the shock. “I’ve felt plenty of grief and sor row, and in my distress felt as if set apart from others in the world. I became moody and irritable, and didn’t want to say or do anything that! might cause anger, so I kept to myself as much as possible. “My grief and sorrow has be come dimmed by time. I value friendship above all else, and re cently began to realize that by my aloofness I was missing what our Savior commanded of me: To meet my neighbors with brotherly love. I have come among you tonight to make reparations for my behav ior, and I hope you will consider me as a friend in the future. My home is open to all of you, and you will be received there with all cor diality. The decision rests with you.” Gifts to Come He paused and whispered a few words to Baker, and then an nounced: “There will be a truck load of Christmas presents brought out from town before this meeting is over, and Santa Claus will de liver them to each and every one of you when the proper time comes.- My son left a handsome insurance, which I don’t need, and which I wish to spend in building up our community to make it the best in the country.” He nodded slightly and smiled. Bill Baker looked over the audi ence swiftly and noticed the change that had come over the faces of the people. He felt confi dent he was expressing everyone’s sentiment when he said: “I’ll admit, Mr. Thorndyke, your attitude toward us has been a puz zle. We are happy to have you with us, and since you have explained things we are willing to accept you as one of us. There are others here who have lost loved ones, and I know your distress is like theirs and excusable. May I shake your hand in friendship?” His example was followed by most of the grown-ups, after which, on the suggestions of mem bers of the choir, Mr. Thorndyke and the entire audience broke into the song, “Will the circle be un broken.’’ . -E . ; ' ' i v' t - v;. . ' . ■ ■ l&.v