Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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By Mike Bennett It is not acceptable that the beginning is also the end, but Fred Grant refused to indulge in reality. He knew that the be ginning of this New Year marked for him the beginning of the end, the beginning of a slow decline into uselessness and nonentity. He could not reason with himself. He could not bring home the point that time brings all men face-to-face with forced retirement and that invariably the strong find something upon which to feed and the weak wither away and die. For Fred, there was nothing. Since Mary had been taken from him countless years ago, his heart had beat with the exact rhythm of one big machine that had been his world from eight to four. It was as if the oil he fed to the hungry bearings were his own lifeblood. Heknewthat without his daily care, without the knowing touch of his gentle fingers, the machine would be gin to deteriorate . . . piece by piece ... a busted bearing to day . . . a warped gear tomor row. The machine needed Fred Grant as much as he needed the machine and each would suffer because no one cared. Gn the last day, his fingers had lingered restlessly about the machine, touching a drive shaft, a gear, wiping away an imaginary particle of dust here and there. Now, on the eve of a New Year, Fred sat idly on the park bench. The day was warm, the Florida sun brighter than usual for this time of year. Children played here and there, their laughter reaching out to every one in the world, except Fred Grant. "Mister. Hey, mister.” Fred came away from a world of gears and pulleys to look at the lad who stood be fore him. "Can you fix my airplane, mister? Can you fix it, mister? Can you? Huh?” The old man studied the air plane as if it were an object from outer space. Poorly con structed. Cheap materials. The way they make things these days. Nothing supposed to last, less you put it up on a shelf and just look at it. He took it from the lad and examined it more closely. "A wing support is busted, boy”, he said. "Can you fix it? Can you, huh?” Fred began to rummage through his pockets."Only tem porarily, boy, only for a while.” He produced a piece of string. "Will it fly again?” "Not for long, son. Tying this strut with string will only hold until it hits the ground. This is a repair job that calls for more equipment than I have with me.” The boy’s eyes lit up. "Can you get your equipment? Can you really make my airplane like new again?” For the first time in days, Fred Grant heard himself laugh. "Son, I could probably make you a better airplane than this one without even try ing.” "You’re kidding, mister. No body could do that.” Harry stood up and pointed across the park. "You see that cottage on the corner of Cypress Avenue” "Yes, sir.” "I live there. My name is Fred Grant. Ask your parents if you can come to my place The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 22, 1966 SEC. R—PAGE 13 — or have them bring you — and I'll fix your plane good as new." "I'll be there. Mister Grant. Right after lunch. O.K.?" He was gone before Fred could further reply. Fight of step, whistling soft ly. Fred Grant marched home ward. The world that had cast him aside was coming to his doorstep. He had the definite feeling that a new era in the life of Fred Grant was just be ginning. In a world where things were always coming apart there had to be a good spot for someone who wanted only to put things together again. A PRETTY TABLE A pretty table is the first re quirement for a party like at mosphere. SHOP GUARANTEES The "guarantee” or "war ranty” which accompany appli ances as Christmas gifts should be double checked. Shoppers should ask how long the guar antee lasts and if all parts are covered by the guarantee. Persons who receive these appliances as gifts and find it necessary to exchange them should also check on the war ranty offered with the exchange. Egg Nog For Yule The most popular Christ mas drink in America is egg nog. In early colonial days hot beverages and punches were popular in America as well as in England. Sack-posset, from which came American egg-nog, was served hot from a hand made kettle. Egg nog and Sack-posset contain the same milk, eggs sugar and nutmeg. It changed, however, from a hot to a cold drink and from a mild sack flavored drink to a more hearty one with rum and brandy. New Year Songs In Austria Chimney sweeps in Austria went around on this date sing ing New Year’s Songs. When these boys were not looking, people tried to steal some of their broom straws, which they tied together and preserved as a token of ensuing good for tune. Also, to foretell events in the following months it was cus tomary to drop melted lead in water; then from the shapes the metal assumed, individuals tried to figure out future hap penings. If you are willing to forget what you have done for others and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background, and your duties in the middle dis tance. and your chances to do a little more in the foreground; to close your book of com plaints against the universe, and look for a place to sow seeds of happiness — if you are willing to do these things even for a day, then you can keep Christmas. Believe that the needs and desires of little children are to be considered; and remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts. Believe that love is the strongest thing in the world — stronger than hate, - stronger than evil and stronger than death. You will be Keep ing Christmas. There are eertain preeau tions that homemakers should be aware of if they reeeive a poinsettia for Christmas. 'They will last longer if they have plenty of light, kept in a eool plaee and given proper watering. You will enjoy your plant longer if it is kept away from radiators, 'TV sets or other sources of heat. A win dowsill location often can fur nish both light and cool tern perature—provided it is not over a radiator. Proper watering is necessary to prevent the leaves fn.m drop ping. The soil should be watered thoroughly until wa ter runs from the bottom of the pot, then allowed to be come rather dry before water ing again. Gifts Not Tradition In early times, even Christi anity, pagan followers ex changed gifts at the New Year. At first the gifts were collected by priests and distributed to the poor. The exchange of Christmas presents is not a tradition of modern vintage. With Christianity, the exchange of gifts was changed to Christ mas. ABOUT MISTLETOE Mistletoe traditions are said to have begun with the ancient Druids. They attributed great power to the plant. It was sup posed to prevent disease and keep away witches, as well as encourage fertility and good luck. Mistletoe means "all heal”. IN CZECHESLOVAKIA The Christmas tree is the center of much attention during the holiday season. The tree is decorated with many candles, assorted candies, nuts and fruits and is surrounded with singing and dancing until the New Year. At this time the chil dren eat the goodies before the head of the household discards the tree. May every heart warm to the radiance of the Star... and feel His glory today and always. THE MARKET BASKET "SUPER FOOD STORE" Corner Harrington & Nance Sts. Newberry Here’s to a very merry Christmas! May the season bring you abiding joy. NEWBERRY AUTO SUPPLY GENERAL AUTO SUPPLIES 1211 McKibben Street Newberry