Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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mm PAGE SIX THE NEWBERRY SUN, NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1959 SEASON’S GREETING . . . Young voices raised in harmony with the songs of the seasons. This Is a part of Christmas that is traditional almost everywhere. Childien shown above represent members of New York's St. Vincent Ferrer Church Boys’ Choir. KlflC'C*rctC«eC«'«««'««X«««g«4CtC(C«X«tc«tC«X««C4CtCtc«!<'CtC«XtC<C«tCtCtctCtC ft NOEL * Christmas is a gift that belongs to us ail.. .andin o\ merry-making, let us not forget the true meaning of the Newberry Monument Co. A J. B. COWARD, Owner Newberry, S. C. Jf I Our entire staff wishes you all the blessings of this holy season and joy and happiness in the years to come • • • Higgins Appliance Service 1215 KINARD ST. PHONE 169-J Newberry, S. C. LAST MINUTE PRESENT Br F.L. ROWLEY T Vv* TpLAINE glanced up at the ' clock. Fifteen minutes mart and the doll would be hers. Mr. Rogers had promised to let her have it at half price if no one bought it before closing time. Ever since she was a little girl Elaine n&d wanted a baby aoll— just like this one. For the third time in ten min utes she arranged the few items left on the toy counter. These last minute shoppers were so messy. All except that charm ing man in the tweed coat. He’d been the only bright spot in a hectic day. “Well, did you buy yourself the Christmas present?” Elaine turned to see Helen Smith grinning at her. Helen was in cosmetics. “Not yet, Helen. Mr. Rogers says I can take the doll off the shelf at exactly five o’clock. Isn’t she adorable? I hope no one runs in to buy her at the last minute.” “Not at that price!” scoffed Helen. “Unless your prince charming returns.” “Prince charming?” “Don’t kid me. That chap in the tweed coat. Now there’s MY ’That doll would make a fine present for some little girl.” dea of a Christmas present! He was in at least twice today again —wasn’t he?” “Three times,” said Elaine, olushing. “He’s been my best customer.” “And greatest admirer, if you ask me.” ”Oh cut it out! Judging from the toys he bought he must have a dozen kids. No one’s given me a second look in twenty-nine fears. I don’t think they’re going to start now.” “Really? Well take a peek at who just walked in the door!” Helen scurried away. Elaine held her breath. The man in the tweed coat was head ing straight for the toy counter. For a second Elaine had a wild urge to hide the precious baby doll. He was upon her before she could move. Back Again “Hello again!” he said gayly. “Say, you’ve done a land-office business since I was here last. Not much left, is there?” His gray eyes studied the counter and the shelves behind Elaine. “That doll would make a fine present for some little girl.” Elaine’s heart sank. “It’s—it’s more for a big girl,” she stam- < mered. “Besides—it’s so expen sive.” His eyes were sharp. He looked at her for a long moment, then said: “I’ll buy the doll.” “Yes sir.” said Elaine, turning, quickly. She regained her com posure while wrapping the doll. “Is it for one of your little girls?” she asked. “For THE little girl.” “Oh—and those other presents you bought?” He leaned across the counter. His eyes twinkled. “There’s eight boys,” he whispered confiden tially. “Eight?” Elaine stepped back. “Goodness—what a big family!” The man in the tweed coat was laughing. “Yes, isn’t it? Too bad they’re not mine. I’m just an uncle.” “But the little girl—she’s yours?” Surprise He stroked his chin thought fully. “I sincerely hope so. This morning I asked Mr. Rogers what she wanted most for Christmas, and he said: ‘The baby doll on the shelf over her head.’ To me it seems like an odd present, but I guess you know what you want.” He held the box out to her. Elaine gasped. “Me—you mean me?” The clock struck five. “Oh, but you—I mean we—could have saved—” “YOU could have saved. And if you’d bought the doll it wouldn’t have been a present from me, would it? And then I wouldn’t be able to ask a favor of you.” “A favor?” “To have supper with me. And to have Christmas dinner with me tomorrow if you’re not tied up.” “I’ll get my coat,” said Elaine breathlessly. JiM KENNEDY’S CHRISTMAS BY D.L. ALEXANDER r ^ m B EFORE the echoes of the prison siren had died away over the hills Jim Kennedy wa% .veil on his way toward a cher ished freedom and his family. Where speed had been essential, extreme caution became impera tive. He kept below the skylin^, well away from the highway with its occasional cars and searching spotlights. Away from the farm houses with their barking dogs. Slogging along through the slush and snow with one thought upper most in his mind: To. spend Christmas at hor^ with his wife Millie and their two children, Marjtfm and Joe. Back at the prison they would oe certain he was headed for nome. They might even be wait ing for him when he arrived, but there was* one thing in his favor: At this time of the year the road to his remote cabin was impossi ble for cars, and he might get there before they did. He slogged on for two days and nights. He ate sparingly of the meager food he had filched from the prison tables. The weather was not too cold and he took fit ful rests beneath jutting cliffs and abandoned shacks. But the over powering desire to reach his home drove him onward, insen sible to the discomforts of his travel. His mipd often returned to his prison life. Especially did he think of Lemaster, the guard oNer his company. He held a bit ter, consuming hatred for the man. Always riding him about Somehow he fovnd the path down to the valley floor. prison rules, making him toe the mark, but ignoring similar in fractions committed by others. Rules! Rules! The man didn’t let him live for rehabilitation, but by rules. He hoped Lemaster would be dead by the time they took him back. The morning Jim stood on the bluff overlooking the little val ley would always remain a bright spot in his memory. The tears that gathered in the comers of his eyes were not the result of cold. The lump in his throat was caused by pent-up emotion, final ly released when he realized he had won through. The mists in the valley raised suddenly and the cabin stood out n startling reality. Smoke poured !rom the chimney and yellow ight splashed from the windows into the snow. Somewhat blindly he found the >ath down to the valley floor. Che delighted voices of the chil* iren came to him through the cloud of snow he kicked up as he rushed to the door. And then he lad Millie in his arms. Welcome Sight There was an interval of st lence, and then heart-felt expres sions of joy and pleasure. When it had somewhat subsided Jim looked around. The homey sur roundings were the same as when tie left, excepting the Christmas tree in the corner. It was bril liantly lighted, and numerous packages and toys clustered around the base. He took a step towards it, but Millie pushed in front of him and, reaching toward the tinsel star at the top, took down a long en velope. “For you,” she said, with a bright smile. “What is it?’ ’he asked, won dering. “Open it and see.” “It means a Merry Christmas and a full pardon for you.” It was the hated voice of Lemaster who had come up behind him. Jim whirled about. “You here?’ he asked bitterly. “I knew you wanted to com* home long ago, Jim. I had to report on your behavior, and to make sure I could make a good report on you I made you live up to every rule strictly. You ranked as a number one, and when the pardons were handed out yours was the first.” Jim had slowly lifted his head as hope sprung anew in him. He gazed mistfully into Lemaster s eyes. “I’ve had you all wrong, Cap. I thought you was riding me all the time for spite work.” “That’s all right. Forget it. Pm going to have a Merry Christ mas with you folks if you’ll let me stay.” 5 1 X s I T. Roy Summer, Inc. THE MAN’S SHOP Florence, Bettie, Betsy and Roy Summer Lester Lee Bedenbaugh, John Derrick, Bill Summer, Jim Cook, Wyman Shealy We wish you a jolly. Shealy’s Hillcrest Florist NEWBERRY, S. C. i .•r* ¥ Each year we greet the Chrisfrwas season with greater gladness, be cause it is then that we take tine to tell o«r friends bow moch we cherish their friendship. Because we are proud to num ber you among our friends, and because we are grateful for your patronage, we send this greeting, and with it our sincere wish your Christmas will be most joyous. Newberry Concrete Co TELEPHONE 703 Superior Ready-Mix Concrete Newberry, South Carolina Richard E. Addison, Manager 844 FAIR ST.