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SEC. B — PAGE 2 The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 22, 1966 GiFTfrf By Mike BenneM Christmas was a wonderful time for a ten-year-old in the little town of Smithdale. Folks were filled with holiday enthu siasm and they paid extremely well for such small chores as clearing the sidewalks of snow, bringing in coal or chopping cordwood. Brother John, two years older but so nearly equal size that we were often mistaken for twins, was our "business manager." He lined up the jobs weeks in advance, keeping an accurate record of jobs com pleted and future appointments. John wasn’t merely training for his future role as an account ant; he was making certain that we got the jobs before other kids in town beat us to them. John always made certain that we were assigned to any tasks around the Smythe man sion. We got these jobs so reg ularly a big snowfall automati cally sent us to the Smythe grounds, shovels in hand. Mr. Smythe was perhaps the most respected man in Smith- dale. His ancestors founded the town. I have wondered since why it wasn’t Smythedale. May be it started out that way. But I prefer to believe Mr. Smythe’s ancestors were as reasonable as he and gave the town a name it could know and live with Mr. Smythe had lived alone, except for several servants, since Mrs. Smythe passed away, which was about the time I was born. Two grown sons lived in the Kast, and each was president of a big business and wealthy in his own right. Each year, with their ever-in creasing families, the sons re turned to the Smythe mansion before Christmas and remained through the beginning of the New Year. Each year the tree was dec orated, before the arrival of the younger generation, in a corner of the spacious living- room. For two Christmases, John and I had greatly admired this tree as we brought in logs for the open fireplace. We had also gazed in great wonder at a huge, green and gaily dec orated package which was placed beneath the tree even be fore decoration was completed under the careful direction of Mr. Smythe. The second year, in response to my child-like question, the butler had discreetly shushed me and said, "It is a present Mr. Smythe presents to himself each year.” You may well imagine what the thought of a rich man giving a present to himselfstirred in the' imagination of a child! Bags of money? A golden cloak? On the Christmas Eve of the great snowfall, we had spent the afternoon in a useless bat tle. (Snow buried the Smythe walks and driveways faster than two boys could remove it.) Mr. Smythe called us into the house and, as we stood be fore the crackling fire, water from melted snow dripping from our boots and clothing on to the plush carpeting, he gave each of us a shiny twenty-dol- lar gold piece. "The weather is so bad,” he said. "My family will not be here until after Christmas. I am going to open my present. I want you to see what you have been so curious about.” The ribbons fell aside and the wrappings were removed . . . to reveal — a big card board box, open at each end! Mr. Smythe turned to two astonished boys. "Have you ever seen a more beautiful pack age with something of so little value inside? Not now, but some day you boys will under stand thi" gift ! give myself. 1 have much. My world is a world of plenty. I remind myself that all this is not so important as what 1 am . . . what 1 do with wealth, and what wealth does to me. This is a good gift I give myself, much greater in value than the twenty-dollar piece you hold in your hands." This happened almost a life time ago. Each Christmas since 1 have given myself a present. The package is large, gaily wrapped in green. It contains nothing but a well-worn twenty- dollar gold piece . . . and ihe memory of a very wise old man. 7 R E E ER E S / / .VESS EE S E . To test the tree before you buy, rub a finger across the butt. Stickiness is a sign of freshness. Bounce the iree on the ground several times. If the needles shed, the tree has begun to dry out. Next tug at the nee dles. I f they pull off easily, freshness has gone. Batches of browned needles mean dryness has set in. A fragrant odor is a good sign of freshness, and healthy green needles are a good sign too. helped develop a musical The Goy Nineties Festive Times During the Cay Nineties, hostesses often announced in the newspapers the hours they would receive guests on New Year’s. People arrived in their best finery — men in silk hats, with chamois skin gloves, and ladies in "stiff bombazine with sealskin tippets”. Callers left their cards on trays in the reception hall, greeted the host and hostess, then went to the dining room, where tables held such substan tial foods as roast beef, turkey, ham, relishes, along with all kinds of fancy pastries. Of course, punch and the tradi tional eggnog were dispensed in large quantities. After their guests had departed, the host and hostess often made a round of calls on their friends. As a result, the affair became a call ing marathon. At times, undesirables man aged to crash the parties; also guests who had imbibed too much at different homes some times caused hostesses embar rassment. POETRY QUOTATIONS CHRISTMAS BELLS LONGFELLOW 1 heard the bells on Christ mas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-w ill to men' 1S T H E R E A S A N TA C L A L S? FRANCIS B. CHURCH No Santa Claus! Thank God, he lives, and lives forever. A thousand years from now . Virginia, nay, ten time ten thousand years from. he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. TRANSLATED EROM JOSEBH MOHR. 1818 Holy night, peaceful night. Wonderous star lend thy light! with the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King, Jesus the Saviour is here. CHRISTMAS G. MacFARREN (before 1580) Le's dance and sing and make good cheer. For Christmas comes but once a year. TUSSER At Christmas, play and make good cheer. For Christmas comes but once a year. GLAD ANGEL. ..A charming, easy-,to-make Christmas angel, made from a triangle of brightly colored cardboard covered with sand wich wrap and secured on the back with transparent tape. Two smaller triangles, attached at the neck, become the sleeves. The head is a styrofoam ball attached with a popsickle stick. Sequins may be glued on for additional decoration. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR FRIENDS! CLARK WRECKING COMPANY Phone 276-0540 Glenn Street Hem Christmas to All! Lominick’s Drug Store “One of Newberry’s Good Drug Stores” MAIN STREET NEWBERRY, S. C. S scv*. INC ... in lift tjigfjesit, ant) on eartf) peace, goob toitl totuarb men. &e tuislj men eberptotjere tfjat peace tobicti passes unberstanbjng. Shealy Tractor & Impl. Co. Newberry, S. C. Route 1 Phone 276-0336