The sun. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1937-1972, December 25, 1969, Image 41
The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thurs., Dec. 25, 1969—SEC. D, PAGE 7
Amy Winters, hands on
hips, looked down at the
man in the wheelchair. "Doctor
Brown said you were to go,
just like everyone else who
isn’t bed-ridden.”
"I don’t care what he said.
I’m not going to any New
Year’s party. Count me out.”
Amy turned on her heels,
slamming the door behind her.
Doctor Brown was standing
just outside. "I heard part of
the conversation — or argu
ment. I think you are be
ginning to make some kind of
impression on thatyoungman,
Miss Winters.”
Amy looked distressed. "I
don’t think there’s anything
favorable about it.”
"I think there may be,” the
doctor said. "He’s a very bitter
young man, but we should be
able to help him. If we could
get him to try to walk with the
determination he applies to his
effort to resign from the human
race, we’d win our victory.”
Amy looked directly into the
doctor’s eyes. "Is there even
the slightest chance, doctor,
that we’re wrong about him?”
"None. Medical science tells
us that the boy can walk if he
wants to walk. No vital
functions were impaired by the
shell fragments. He can walk
and, I’m sure, one day he will.
He just hasn’t been able to find
a reason. ”
"What about the party?”
Ann asked.
"We can’t force him to go.
Let him stay in his room if
he wants to. ”
Ann had turned to go when
the doctor stopped her. "Hold
it I have an idea. Ask Bill if
he would like to make himself
useful. We’re short on volun
teers, what with the party and
all. If Bill isn’t in too ornery a
mood, he might read the
evening paper for Sgt. Powers
in 305. I could find someone,
but I believe it would be good
for Bill to do it.”
To Ann’s surprise, Bill
agreed. She wheeled him down
to 305. "Sgt. Powers, Bill
Smith is here to read the paper
for you.”
Sgt. Powers, a round bundle
of bandages, with only his lips
showing through, responded.
"Good. Thanks, Bill, and wel
come to Mummy-ville.”
Ann left the room and Bill
picked up the paper from the
bed. "Sarge, I got real news
for you. This is yesterday’s
paper. Do you want yester
day’s news?”
"Someone read that to me.
I’ll ring for the nurse. The
latest issue is probably still at
the nurse’s station.” He pushed
the button, repeatedly, but no
one came.
"It figures,” Bill snorted.
"They’re all at the party. I’ll
see if I can get the paper.”
The door opened inwardly,
so he had a little difficulty
holding the door and getting
the wheelchair through at the
same time, but he made it.
The nurse’s station was
vacant and the paper was not
on the counter where he ex
pected it to be. Bill craned his
neck. There it was, on the desk,
well out of reach, for a man in
a wheelchair, anyway.
" Hey, where is everybody?”
He called several times, but no
one answered.
Bill reached out and grasped
the counter top. Perhaps he
could pull himself up far
enough to reach the papier. He
struggled, testing nis arms,
and then he pulled upward,
realizing, suddenly, that he
was standing on his feet.
He reached across for the
R aper. Wheeling back to 305,
e met Ann Winters. "I’m
going to report you for being
away from your station.”
Ann smiled. "I’m going to
report you for getting out of
that wheelcahir. Iwas standing
down at the end of the hall.”
BUI flushed. "Hey, I did,
didn’t I. Hey Sarge, you won’t
believe what I just did. You
won’t believe it”
From beneath the bandages,
Sarge said, "You made a New
Year’s resolution."
FIX UP OLD
TOYS, TREAT
YOUNGSTERS
IN HOSPITALS
When all is said and done,
there is no gift quite as won
derful as giving of yourself.
For whatever reason the Cre
ator may have, when we give
our energies, our hearts to
something or someone else,
we share the joys perhaps to
greater degree than the re
cipient.
This Christmas plan to
bring a little happiness to
the less fortunate, not bv
means of a check (thougn
that is very welcome, too)
but by means of personal in
volvement.
If you have children per
haps you have some old but
still serviceable toys you
could “bring back to life”
with a little paint, a screw
or bolt here or there or some
minor repair. It can be a
great source of pleasure to a
little fellow in the hospital.
oiphanage or in a home
where Dad is missing or not
employed.
Perhaps your town has
organized groups which co
ordinate such activity. You
will enjoy it even more if
you participate with a group.
When painting toys to be
used by children, it is most
important to use non-toxic
enamels or paints. Never use
paint designed for outside
use.
Keep in mind that chil
dren enjoy strong, bold col
ors, as well as the glossiness
of enamel.
For small objects self
spraying enamels in aerosol
cans are the easiest to use.
If more than one color is to
be applied, protect other
areas with masking tape.
All this is good therapy!
And you’ll be doing some
one a world of good.
DID YOU KNOW...?
Did you know that the
first Christmas stocking
was first hung in either
France or Belgium !
Did you know that mis
tletoe was used centuries
ago to ward off witches
and now it is used to lure
a kiss! 1
Did you know that the
first Christmas tree erect
ed in a church in U.S., in
1851 shocked its Cleveland
congregation. It was con
sidered too heathenish!
Candles have long been a
part of Christmas. In medi
eval days, yule candles, like
yule logs, were of tremend
ous size. Holes were chiseled
in the stone floors to act as
holders, and Christmas din
ner lasted as long as the
candles burned.
Again, at this season of the year we wish to voice
our gratitude to our friends whom it is our pleasure to
serve.
We esteem the continued patronage of our custom
ers—and the confidence manifested in us by so many of
you Newberrians.
«
May we say in all sincerity that it ever shall be our
desire to foster the kindly relations which exist between
us, and we believe no more fitting demonstration of our
attitude can be made than to re-dedicate ourselves to the
cause of quality, keep our standards high and strive to
merchandise our store so that you may always be better
served.
Carpenters
Newberry