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SEC. C.—PAGE 12—The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C. Dec. 26th, 1968 By Mike Bennett Henry Steele was doodling on the calendar when the nurse entered the room. "Well, hello, sunshine,” she said. "I see you’re at it again. Tell me, how many days left until Christmas?” Henry set the calendar and pencil aside. "What is it this time? You’ve been in and out of this place a hundred times today. Don’t you have any other patients you can bother?” Helen Garber had been a nurse for 21 years. She had learned how to get along with all .types of people. She knew when they were kidding, when they could be kidded. She knew that Henry Steele was sour as rotten grapes—and it Was unlikely that he would change. She had made a mistake by trying to joke with him. She should have known better. "I’m sorry. - You have a very fussy doctor, Mr. Steele. 1 have to follow his orders. Right now, according to his instructions, you have a small pill to swallow.” Henry snorted. "Him and his pills. Are those pills go ing to help me walk any sooner?” NO RESPONSE Helen knew she should be quiet. She carefully adjusted the sheets at the foot of the bed, then turned to go. ".Just a minute!” Steele al most shouted. "How would you like to spend 52 days flat on your back, not able to do anything for yourself, not able to even get up and walk to the bathroom?” Helen turned in the door way, her eyes sparkling. "If I had been involved in a ser ious automobile accident, and had been saved only by the wonders of modern medicine and a bit of the grace of God, I would consider my self a very fortunate individ ual.” She slammed the door be hind her and came face to face with Dr. Cranford. "Nur ses should never slam doors. It annoys the patients.” She was sure she saw faint traces of a smile at the corners of his lips. "You’re right, doctor. I’m sorry. It won’t happen a- gain.” The doctor really smiled. "Let us have no grouches at Christmastime.” AND AGAIN Henry Steele was writing on the calendar again as she pushed the wheelchair into the room. "What now?” he asked, without looking up. "Therapy, Mr. Steele. Doc tor’s orders. You’re going to a Christmas party.” "Bah!” He sounded just like Scrooge. "Where are you taking me?” "To the children’s ward. Christmas is for children, you know.” Helen had much to do at the party. Passing out gifts. Helping the children who were unable to walk. Opening pre sents for those unable to do so themselves. She looked often at Mr. Steele. He was not looking at her. He never did. He watched the child ren, all of them. He was utterly fascinated. She thought, for just a moment, he had joined in the sing ing of Christmas carols. It was near the hour of midnight on Christmas Eve when the light for Room 32 flashed on. Helen did a double-take. Henry Steele had never rang for anything in 53 days. She hurried down the cor ridor. "Yes, Mr. Steele?” . . . I want to wish you a Merry Christmas.” Steele threw the calendar in the waste basket, "and it is not only for children— no more than is life and hope. Good night, sweet nurse.” GREAT POETS OF Longfellow, from whose poem, CHRISTMAS-1863, came the refrain, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day", The old familiar carols play ", pen ned a Christmas carol pre served in many anthologies. As far as research can de termine, George Wither, a young contemporary of Shakespeare, first coupled the words ^Merry Christmas". Phillip Brooks, who wrote the verses of the beloved hymn "0 Little Town of Bethlehem", also expressed his sentimenU in "The Voice of the Christ Child" and "Christmas Every where ". Robert Frost, Alfred Tenny son and Sir Walter Scott, are amony many besides Clement Clark Moore (of "Tivas the Night Before Christmas"fame) who have enriched Christmas tradition lyrically. A larger number of poets have con tributed carols to the world’s musical treasure. HELLER’S SERVICE STATION GEO. W. HELLER, SR. Doug MacFarlane GEO. W. HELLER, JR. (Main Street Ext.) Jim Sligh