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The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 20, 1967—SEC. C—PAGE 11 SAFARI STYLE . . . Here it is, the gift for the golfer who has everything — almost. It’s a luxurious golf bag in black. and white unborn calf. Manu facturer says it is also avail able in leopard, tiger (includ ing the tail), ocelot, chinchilla, or sheared beaver. DECORA TIONS You may find the ingre dients for Christmas decora tions in your own backyard. Collect sprays of holly, pine cones, and evergreen branches. Spray paint them in sparkling silvers and golds or bright holiday reds and greens. Arrange them with Christmas tree orna ments into an attractive centerpiece, or add some rib bon and use them to top off Christmas gifts. PAINT TOY BOXES Children love to play with boxes, so why not decorate them for Christmas gifts? A wooden box painted in bright colors turns into a pretty — and practical— toy chest. Turn it upside down, top with a colorful cushion, and you have a child’s has sock. Design several like cir cus cages — or, a kiddie train. Stretch your imagina tion and create more Christ mas fun for your children. AH, MUSIC . . . Agiftsure to delight the heart of any young lass is her own record player and a collection of chil dren’s records. C C n I N fl k 1/ .......... & . BY MARY HANNAH It was shortly after the turn of the century. My trade was that of a drummer. Today you would call me a salesman. My territory was determined by fancy and, sometimes, by a weatherbeaten horse named Napoleon. Whichever fork of the road suited Napoleon, suited me. Napoleon huffed and puffed along, pulling a wagon load of pots and pans and assorted.dry goods. I let him go his way until we came to a lane that led toward a promising farm house. I had learned, through the years, to make it my business to let darkness catch me only in the vicinity of some sort of habitat which offered the prom ise of warmth and comfort for the passing of night. Trouble On this particular occasion, which just happened to be Christmas Eve, I was in un familiar territory, somewhere in southern Mississippi. A broken wagon axle had brought Napoleon to a sudden, groaning halt. I set the animal free while I set about seeing what I could do to make re pairs. I was in unfamiliar territory on Christmas Eve. As you may imagine, it took me a long time, even though I hurried as fast as I could, spurred on by dark and ominous skies that threatened- even promised a siege of bad weather. When I had finished with the job—you guessed it—Napoleon was gone. He was nowhere in sight. I ran up the road, shouting, whistling, until I was forced to sit and rest. I returned to the wagon and looked in the forest on each side of the road. But, Napoleon was gone—and the rain which began slowly at first, came now in torrential fashion. Shelter I hastily pulled a tarpaulin over my wares, and myself. For a time, I was dry and warm. Then water seeped around the edges of the tarpaulin ... a trickle or two at first, then a steady stream, down the side boards and across the wagon bed until I was thoroughly wet It was an hour or two before dark when I decided to look up the road for help or as sistance, knowing full well it might be 10 or 15 miles to the nearest sign of civilization. I had not gone far when I met him. He was an old fellow, white-bearded and dressed in tattered clothing, ambling toward me as if it were the brightest day in May. At his heels, following nonchalantly, a very nondescript mule. "My name is Karl,” he said. "And my friend , here, is Dancer.” "Hello,” I said. "Have you seen a horse up ahead?” "Not horse, nor human, for miles. Dancer and me, we’re just headed home.” "I need help,” I pleaded. "Shelter for the night, or I’ll buy your mule. I have a wagon load of supplies and "Dancer will gladly help. But, he’s not for sale. He is much too valuable to me.” "Then, you’ll go with me to the next house or town?” "Not I. I have things to do. Dancer will take you. Just set him free when you are there. He will come back to me.” One learns, as they say, to never look a gift mule in the mouth. I hitched up Dancer, bid farewell to old Karl and, after he refused any compensa tion, started again up the road. When I reached the next community, Napoleon was waiting patiently. The moment I set Dancer free, off he was, back along the road we had just traveled. Maybe there’s nothing un usual about my story. Except for the fact that no one in the community had ever heard or seen an old man fitting Karl’s description. And, in the many later years I traveled the same location, I could never discover or learn anything about him. I wonder if he had some thing to do with the Spirit of Christmas. jfrom all of u$ to all of pou May the gladness and cheer of the HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON bring much happiness to you! H & H MACHINE & WELDING SHOP Willie and Jack Hawkins, Owners 1502 Martin Street Newberry, S. C. Clinton-Newberry Natural Gas Authority