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The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 22, 1966 SEC. B — PAGE 5 By T»d Jon*i Joshua Crane was almost ninety years of age and the richest man in Hillvale. He had not, as the boys around the pot bellied stove at Moore’s General Store liked to phrase it, "hit a lick at a snake in thirty years. "Oldtimers still had stories to tell of some of the ways Joshua had accumulated his wealth. Needless to say, Joshua Crane had no friends. Elmer, perhaps, but it was hard to tell. Elmer carried out his duties as cook, valet and chaffeur with a deference that was unchanging ly stoic. Long ago he had learned to turn a deaf ear to the digs and m o re-th a n casual comments of townfolk as he went daily to the market or wheeled the big, black lim ousine through the narrow streets. Joshua Crane was the nearest thing to a relative or a friend that Elmer could claim. He had never known a family, his first memories of any im portance being those of life in sternly managed orphanage, of running away, cheating and stealing his way across a con tinent and eventually into pris on. Elmer was grateful to Joshua Crane. Joshua had hired him on a warden’s recom mendation thirty years ago and neither man had any reason to regret or to look back. Elmer didn’t mind not having a family. You don’t miss something you never really possessed. Only at Christmas did Elmer feel stir ring within himself the urge to reach out and grasp a share of the joy and the good will that seemed to permeate the snow-laden streets of Hillvale. Christmas alone was a lonely time for Elmer. It was his time of greatest need. And, it was the one time of the year when Joshua Crane insisted on sending him away. For thirty years, Elmer’s vacation period had extended from December 23rd to January 2nd, without variation. Joshua insisted that he not only leave the house, but "get out of town. Go some where. Do something. A person gets stale if they never know change.” Awake and restless in the unfamiliar bleakness of a hotel room, Elmer felt stirring within himself the thing he had come to call the "Christmas urge.” He dressed and im pervious to the chill of wintry winds, walked the lonely streets. He knew this time the urge would win and, without returning to the hotel for his sparse belongings, he stepped aboard a bus that would take him back to Hillvale. In contrast to the other homes he passed along the way, the big Crane mansion loomed dark and silent behind the tree-lined driveway. Elmer let himself in as quietly as possible, hoping to forestall until tomorrow the tirade that was sure to come his way. Halfway up the stairs a glimmer of light from the partly opened basement door stopped him short. Lights. Colored lights. Blinking lights. For a long time, Elmer stood, his nose and one eye against the opening at the base ment landing. The Cellar was alive with the sights, and the smell of Christmas. An ancient, carefully preserved metallic Christmas tree held the center of the stage, meticulously adorned with baubles and tinsel that had an equal look of age and use. At the base of the tree, splendidly arranged, were an assortment of gaily wrapped packages, with the discoloring marks of time obvious at each cornel and edge. "I knew you would come. 1 hoped you would.’’ Joshua Crane spoke without turning his eyes from the tree. Hillvale folks had much to say Christmas Eve when word got around that the Crane mansion was decorated for Christmas, with a tree in the window, and a welcome wreath on the door. Strangely, the thing folks had to say were somewhat kind. The kind of thing folks usually say when the "Christ mas urge” begins to stir deep within the soul. Christmas Clean Up Cleaning up after opening Christmas packages can be quite a chore. Before it's time for opening packages, have handy a couple large shop ping bags. Find a good size cardboard box. You’ll have a place for scraps of paper, a place for ribbons and trim you want to keep, and a carton for throw 7 away boxes. TIME FOR SURPRISES Every Christmas season is greeted with joyful surprises. The wonders of a greenhouse never cease. It is a continuing source for gifts. This year you can choose a plant for that someone hard to shop for. Gifts from your greenhouse are gratefully received. may PEACE and JOY brighten your holiday We extend warm greetings to our friends at this festive Season. May the Star of the East guide our hearts always! SUMMER’S DRIVE-IN CUT-OFF 176 Tom, Mary and Kay Summer Phone 276-9232 As Christmos comes to you this year, we warmly wish that it may bring an ever deeper, ever richer meaning to you and your loved ones. Shealy Motor Co.