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SEC. A — PAGE 18 The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 22, 1966 # \ 7/ By Mary Hannah I immy Roberts lookerl longingly *" out the window. The snow-cov ered fields and barns were lovely in the soft moonlight. What a way to spend Christmas Eve, he thought, all alone with a kic brother. What a Christmas! Dad in the hospital after an automobile ac cident; mother spending practi cally every flay and night with him, and me, here all alone with a kid that can’t even stay awake long enough to welcome Santa Claus. Jimmy looked at the big clock on the kitchen wall The kids were probably gathering now for the annual sleigh ride. He could just imagine the laughter ringing about the Macklin farm as the two teams were hitched to the homemade sleigh He’d miss the ride over the fields, the singing of Christmas Carols and then, the return home to the warmth of the fireside and the welcome sight of mom and dad sitting nearby. That’s how Christmas ought to be; how Christmas had always been Sounds Jimmy walked into the living room. Sammy was asleep, sprawled on the rug before the fireplace Jimmy sat down in an easy chair and studied the room, Sing Out “Don’t say it,” young Ted Mack lin shouted, “Sing it.” And he led off with a round of “Jingle Bells.” Soon, mom came home; more Christmas Carols. Mr Macklin passed out the gifts. Each was opened to a chorus of “Oohs” and “Aahs” — except for dad’s. These were placed beneath the tree with the rest of the family packages As Mr Macklin said. “You can have Christmas again when dad comes home ” Jimmy stood on the porch and watched the sleigh disappear into the night, carrying with it the sounds of merry laughter and jingling bells Things weren’t so bad after all And, there was still another Christmas yet to come feic Christmas greens, a perky bow or other decorations for a cheery greeting at the door. To make your own little Christmas tree, form a yard of half-inch mesh chicken wire into a cone. Use a dowel to support the cone. Place a paper disk close to the base of the chicken wire to keep the dowel centered Mount in a flower pot of plaster jh of Pans. Stuff the mesh with tissue or paper napkins. Com plete with bells, balls or other decoration. GOOD LUCK TOKENS and trade. Little Roman pres- The Romans sent friends ents, such as gilded nuts, were good-luck tokens, sometimes known as "strenae . Gradually exchanging small copper coins presents became more costly, with the head of .Janus on one and the Roman rulers exorbi- side, and a boat on the other; tant in their demands for ex- for he was the protector of ships pensive gifts. o o o o o o w A styrofoam coni’ makes a good base for a little tree. Mount coni’ On a short dowel and place in a flower pot filled with wet plaster of Pans. I \se shearings from an erergreen to cover the cone. 'Then decorate with liny lights and small orna ments. If you want an unusual fron > door decoration for the holi days, design your own. Chil dren's toys, a small horse, a freshly [minted drum and plas tic toys tied with greenery and a red bow give a welcome for all children. You can also make a huge bouquet of candy canes from decorated mailing tubes. Add a THE ORGAN The organ has been used in church worship and Christmas song since 450 A.D Spain was first to use the organ in Christian worship. Today, organs are popu lar for the home as well as the church, and carol singing parties are favorite holiday entertain ment. Both amateur and profes sional musicians enjoy the versa tility of the modern organ which can sound the shepherd’s pipe or the angel’s trumpet with perfect fidelity. w tv IV tv tv tv tv tv tv tv tv tv tv <v tv IV tv tv tv tv tv IV jv tv tv V JV w y s? y y ¥ Your splendid support on November 8 is deep ly appreciated. We shall return to Washington with renewed vigor and determination to con tinue to uphold those principles and ideals that made this Nation great. Mrs. Dorn and the children join me in wish ing for each of you a joyous Holiday Season and the greatest New Year of all Sincerely, Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn ifti (1^ di /tti di ft (tt! fa A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A Out of the sleigh they came, everyone from miles around. the flickering fire, the beautifuly lighted tree and the heaping pre sents beneath. How quiet was the world, except for the crackling of the fire. How quiet, except, for another sound. Sleigh bells! They were coming this way . . . and they were singing. He could hear them. Nearer and nearer came the voices and the bells. Jimmy dashed to the door, with Sammy, now wide awake, right on his heels. “Hello, hello. We wish you a Merry Christmas.” The voices rang out in chorus and out of the sleigh they came, the Smiths, the Jones, the Atteburys, the Mack lins, everyone for miles around. Bearing Gifts Happily, each bearing gifts, they marched into the house, plac ing packages ceremoniously on the livingroom floor. From some where Mr. Macklin produced a beard and a Santa cap. The room became hushed. “Now Jimmy and Sammy,” Mr. Macklin said, “while Mrs. Macklin and the ladies prepare some hot chocolate in the kitchen, I speak for all of us. We know that your Christmas cannot be the merriest under the circumstances. But you must remember that these cir cumstances are just temporary Most of us visited your father today. He’ll be home soon, and good as new. All of us would have loved for you boys to spend Christmas Eve with us, but we decided it would be better if we brought a little of our Christmas spirit to you . . .” Sammy was fumbling among the presents. Jimmy, a bit un comfortable and afraid that his emotions were showing, straight ened one of the ornaments on the Christmas tree. “I don’t know what to say.” This is our sincere wish for everyone: May you have a Merry Christmas, the happy com panionship of loved ones, the warm fellowship and understanding of friends. May the New Year hold for you a full measure of happiness. FROM ALL OF US AT AbP