Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1963 J m m. :>S as it :x\ L^r + j .x|: $r um mscK* V .45 ! Xxl ill * '•x.-r*:; a. 1 '§ FOR HIS BIRTHDAY v&SS As we once again celebrate that Birthday of birthdays, may the blessings He came to bring be reborn in every single heart! Maxwell Bros and Lindsay — FURNITURE — 1213 MAIN STREET NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA lb our many friends and customers, a VERY MERRY k .. . mm. •»» mm ■mm ' S'.W’ m mi . -y > •;. mm m&m. CLARENCE T. SUMMER, Incorporated 1207 BOYCE STREET NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA THE NEWBERRY SUN, NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA PAGE FIVE li^ BY T. C. POPE M E PLAY Santa Claus? Ward en, you are a funny man. You kill me. The rockheads in th'S place would laugh me to death. And, that’s a fact.” Warden Sam Hawethorne chose a cigar from his pocket and lit it thoughtfully. “No one would know. They don’t have to know. We dis guise you as Santa, suit and whiskers.” “Look at my record, man. You don’t want me. Blinky Smith, alias, Blinky Adamo, alias John Jones, alias—so many more even I am no Ipnger sure what my real namo is. And the rest of it—theft, arson, robbery. My record is as long as your arm, warden. I’m a hard case. You know that.” “That’s why I selected you, Blinky.” Blinky inhaled a puff of cigar smoke that wafted his way. “What are you trying to pull on me, warden? Your own rehabilitation program? No dice. So I got thirty years, minus the week I been here. If I pull the whole stretch, I leave here as myself, not some imitation Santa Claus or anything else.” The buzzer on the warden’s desk sounded three short times. He flicked a button with his finger and, without taking the cigar from his mouth, said, “O.K., send him in.” to u ■'St/ % J? 7*01 g > • r <H> /Ttsl VYi A . r -c .ff \ br *3 ’’i* #5 V « y s Without taking the cigar from his mouth, the warden said, “Send him in.” Blinky began to fidget. The warden eyed him curiously. “Relax, Blinky. This is an old friend of yours.” “Maxie!” “Yeah, it’s me, Blink.” “I told ’em. I told ’em, Maxie. The boys said I could rot away for thirty years and never set eyes on you. I told ’em.” The big man smiled. “Probably not, Blink. Not now, even, ’cent for the warden. And not for long. I’m on the way out, I’m a free man.” “You’re kidding me, Maxie. Don’t . . .” “He’s not kidding you,, Blinky,” Warden Hawethorne interposed. “I was there, Maxie, I know how long you got to go!” Maxie just stood there smiling. The warden took advantage of the silence to grind his cigar into the ash tray on his desk. “Surely, Blinky, you’ve been around long oncugh to know about time off for good behavior.” “Yeah, sure, but not Maxie. Don’t tell me about Maxie. Me and Maxie grew up on the waterfront. This guy I know, believe me.” Old Santa The warden chose another cigar, studied it thoughtfully, then put it back into his pocket. “You don't know it all, Blinky. Shake hands with our departing Santa.” “You’re kidding me again.” “Ask him.” “It’s true, Blink,” the big man said. “You rehabilitated, Maxie? They made you over?” “Call it what you like, Blink. I’m through with the old life. I’m not even going back. Got me a good job, downstate, repairing things in a cycle shop.” The big man walked over, gently placed his hands on Blinky’s shoulders. “You don’t understand, Blink. I know. But, someday you will. I know you will. Won’t he, warden?” The warden had lit another cigar. With a ceremonial flourish, he placed it in the ash tray. “I’m sure of it. C’nr on, Maxie, I’ll walk you to the doer. I have something in the outer office I want to give you.” Blinky stood up. “Can I go back to my cell and go to sleep? All this rehabilitation has worn me plumb out!” ^oubts As the door closed behind Blinky and the guard, Warden Sam Hawethorne puffed thought fully on his cigar. Maybe this time I picked the wrong man, he mused. Christmas came to the prison, just as it comes everywhere. Ward en Hawethorne, making his late afternoon rounds stopped at Blinky’s cell. “Well?” “You’re right, warden, The job is fun.” “You said it was only a trial.” “I guess I found out something. It’s fun to be a ‘giver’—even if you’re acting like you’re somebody you ain’t.” Sign me up for the job -for life.” “For life, Blinky?” “Naw. I didn’t mean that. You know what I mean.” “I know, Blinky. Merry Christ mas.” “Yeah, warden, same to you.” IN JAPAN Christmas is observed widely in Japan despite the fact that fewer than one per cent of the country’s population is Christian. Each year, Tokyo’s streets are bright with holiday decorations, and “White Christmas’ is almost as popular as it is in America. $ S i GUM WI May the Christmas story, filled with the wonder of God's overwhelming love for us, unfold more and more in your own lives to bring you great joy! Shealy Tractor & Implement Co. j Newberry, S. C. Route I Phone 276-0336 « 1 ^ Old Saint Nicholas 'will soon he with us all again and he brings you our very sincerest wishes for a Happy Holiday! Newberry Steam Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co. 934 MAIN STREET NEWBERRY, S. C. 1 \\\vv (Some ^£<3 fiaithfxd, Some Tset XZ 3 ^dove ^§im Behold the Madonna and the Child, symbolizing to all the world the Sacredness of this Season, recalling to each of us His many blessings. As the Christmas story once again unfolds its Holy message, let us join together in a fervent prayer that the world will always live in Peace and Good Will. The KENDALL Company Cotton Buying Office