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' he Cooky. Lady" and _ Tim'sCl1nstmas Letter fl$fi§§$ - ATSY liked to take her doll out in the sunny kitchen and watch Ann, the cook, roll out the cooky dough and cut round moons; then put them in a long pan ready for the oven. When they came out all smelly and warm Ann would put some on a paper plate for Patsy to eat. Ann had the nicest dimples when she smiled. and Patsy would smile right back at her and say: "Thank, you, Cocky lady."

Sometimes there were brown cookies and fruity ones, too, but the red and green candied ones that Ann made ior Christmas were the very best of all. Patsy adored Ann. Through the seven short years of her life she had been her constant companion. . Mother was just the lovely lady who was always busy with her clubs and going places, and Daddy was too busy at the of- fice to be bothered much; but there was always Ann.

Patsy liked the nice postman, Tim, 'who came to see Ann and sometimes they all went to the movies together. Tim could plav “pretend" almost as good as Ann. But once she heard him call Ann his best girl, and say: “Some day you're going to cook for me." After that she did not like him so well. Things seemed all wrong, and Santa hadn't answered her letter, and it was only two days till Christmas. She had said:"Please write soon," and that had been days ago. He must help quick, or it would be too late. Several times a day she would go to the mailbox and stand on tip- toe to look in for fear her letter had been overlooked.

“Here, Tim," said one of the of- fice clerks, “is another of the kid letters to Santa Claus; guess this one's up to you." Printed in a childish scrawl on the envelope, Tim read: “Santa Claus, care of Tim." He drew out the folded paper. It read: "Dear Santa, please bring Tim another best girl cause Ann has to cook for us."

“Your friend, Patsy Reynolds.“

Tim stared, then chuckled: “San- ta, old boy, you're up against it this timq."~_—.lo_cile Webb Pearson.

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As Little Santa Claus

Canary Was a Success lfifiZfl$ififiۤfillififil

r ITH Christmas so near and ' no money for a gift for Nedda Langley, his sweet- heart and inspiration for compos- ing, and now this cold rainy day, Carl Woods felt very low spirited.

Then he saw the little bird out- side the window. He opened the window-the bird flew in and perched on the piano where it seemed quite at home. Standing by the piano wondering what to do with his visitor, Carl let his fingers wan- der over the keys. “Tweet tweet," the bird said and then began to sing lustily. Intensely interested, Carl continued playing and as long as he played the bird sang.

Suddenly realizing he was playing something he had never heard be- fore, Carl began making note oi what he had been playing. Growing chilled, he arose to close the win- dow he had left open. To his sur- prise, the bird was gone, nor cnuld it be found in the room. He couldn't remember when he had last heard it singing. Where could it be?

Looking across the court of the apartment building he noticed in the window opposite, a bird cage, and a canary was hopping around on the window sill. Although the window was closed now, it must have been open earlier and the bird had taken advantage of its freedom.

Whether it was the same bird that had visited Carl, he and Nedda always felt it was and called it "Little Santa Claus” for it had brought happiness and prosperity, for Carl's composition was accepted and an advance payment made.- Blanche Tanner Dillin.

CHARM OF CHRISTMAS

HE chief charm of Christmas

.is its simplicity. It is a fes- tival that appeals to everyone, because everyone can understand it. A genuine fellowship pervades our common life-a fellowship whose source is our common share in the gift of the world's greatest Life which was given to the whole world.

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Till Birth of Christ The time draws near the birth o! Christ: his moon ls bid; the night l: still; The Christmas bells from hill to hill Answq each other tn the mist.

Noel, Nsmooi ‘two ‘towns Noel, the French for Christmas, is the nuns oi towns in Virginia and Missouri. ,

"m, Inset of new" , "'11! ha: of " ls one of the oldest names of. lstmu. Smelt forcbrlstalss Pout m on essential of the 1m- dvemosl. ,» . L

Christmas Poinsettias Popular Holiday Plant Kiifififliififli

HE brilliant street lights oi a

large city were flickering into

the cozy front apartment of the Malory sisters. They were sit- ting alone on Christmas eve enjoy- tng their snow white tree gleaming under its burden of blue electric bulbs in true modern fashion.

“Oh, dear," sighed Lois, “doesn't Christmas always remind you of poinsettias?"

"Sure does," replied her sister, wistfully. “How could we ever for- get them? Remember how mother used to send us out in the sleigh to deliver those scarlet beauties to our friends, every Christmas? Those were the good old days!"

“Wasn't it fun, though? I can just see the dear old home simply loaded down with the ‘Christmas stars’ as we used to call them.”

At this very moment several blocks down the street the telephone was ringing profusely in one oi’ the busiest florist shops on the avenue. An order was being placed for the largest and very best poinsettia plant in stock. It was to be deliv- erwii to the Misses Lois and Mae lvlnlory, on Rugby street.

Just fifteen minutes later the door bell at this residence rang and a messenger delivered the gift beauti- fully wrapped and tied in Christmas colors.

"Oh, Lois, come quick!" shouted Mae. “A gift from the home town. What can it be?"

“Why, it's a pot of poinsettias» one mass of crimson stars! Who could have sent it?"

When they discovered the card, it was more puzzling than ever, for the only inscription upon it was, “Poinsettias For Christmas." -— Alice B. Palmer. -

Essa-film

i%flfifii5ififl%%fiflfifi$fl%lfi Sweethearts’ Reunion Under Mistletoe Twig

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ETTY JANE dressed careful-

ly, wondering if college had

changed Bill much. It was grand having him home for the hol- idays. The doorbell rang.

"Christmas gift," cried Bill, hand- ing her a gayly-wrapped package, and taking her in his arms. Betty Jane drew back. She wasn't sure she liked this Bill so well—he seemed so sure of himself. She re- membered Bill as humble. wooing for her favors.

“Come, say hello to the folks," Betty Jane invited, "and see the tree and smell turkey."

They went, hand in hand. “I sup- pose you've met a lot of girls at col- lege," she hazarded. “Tell me about them."

“Well, there's just one I'm really crazy about," Bill answered. “All the fellows think she's swell. Her picture's on my dresser, and when- ever I'm in doubt, I talk things over with her."

“How grand," said Betty Jane in a tight little voice. They came to the mistletoe. I-low different from last year, when she was just learn- ing to love him!

“I have her picture on my watch, too," Bill went on, his eyes-twink- ling brighter than the silver star atop the tree.

“You used to carry mine there," Betty Jane observed, and managed somehow to laugh lightly.

“And still do," said Bill, exhibit- ing it. “All the fellows are jealous of the girl I left behind me. There isn't a girl in all the world, let alone college, like you, Betty Jane. And by the way, don't you know that a pretty girl should always stop when she comes to mistletoeW-Helen Waterman.

ti‘

Santa—Stick 'em up!

Believe» Animals Fall on Knees A superstitious notion prevails in the western part of Devonshire, England, that at 12 midnight Christ- mas evs the oxen in the stables sl- wnys fall on their knees. auuxbeefim .

Good Christmas llabit Jud Tunklns says if you can't be merry on Christmas you can at least help others by keeping your personal" annoyances to yourself.

I m; clmltmu smmg A stocking 80 feet long hung from

the roof of Albert hall, in London, during a Christmas solo.

J§mey to Bethlehem Not Like Today's Travel KI

CCUSTOMED to our swift and modern transportation, it is difficult to visualize the hard-

ships oi that journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, or the great fatigue and weariness suffered by Mary and Joseph. Consternation filled their hearts at the decree of Caesar; yet there was nothing to do but obey the summons. They must make the long, tiresome journey and at once!" ‘

No shining motor car waited out- side their gate; no silver-winged plane stood throbbing in a nearby field; not even the meanest ox-cart was available. While others rode by in gorgeous caravans, a patient little donkey was their only means of transportation. We can imagine the tall and bearded Joseph leading the animal along, glancing back ev- ery now and then with words oi cheer and encouragement for Mary, or pointing out some landmark along the way.

Behind them now was the Sea of Galilee and Mt. Tabor. Through the plain of Estlaleon they labored; then came the rough and uneven trail through Samaria, where even the sure-footed donkey stumbled at times. To the west. the Jordan ran its course, to empty farther south into the Dead sea. Along their way they passed many places whose names would be known and revered around the world in the dim future . . . Did Mary have a vision as she went by that one day the Son whom she was about to bear would go up and down this Clllllllfy preach- ing anew Gospel of love and peace and hope for man, and that His birth would be held in happy and blessed remembrance by all the peoples of the earth until time would be no more?—Katherine Edelman.

fiflfi%fl%fllfiliillflllflfifi%%fifih First Christmas Carol When Christ Was Born liifi%%filfilfifitflfii%fififl%k CHRISTMAS is the time when

all-

men are drawn together in a

great unity. Much of this may be attributed to our response to fa- miliar songs, sung year after year to commemorate the advent of a little Child on earth. The first Christmas carol ever heard, we like to believe, came over the fields of Bethlehem, when Christ was born—- “Glory be to God on high, and on earth, peace, good will toward men." But it was 1,200 years later that St. Francis of Assisi and his broth- ers took up the singing in public of carols at Christmas" to combat the unbelief of their time. With lighted tapers they went about the streets of the small Italian village pouring out their hearts in songs of praise. In the 800 years since then the singing of Christmas carols has gone around the world. Wherever Christianity is known carol singing follows. The simple vision of a mother lulling her babe to sleep gives Christmas music its strength. Some sing as a tribute to their religious faith, others as a custom they en- joy. But whatever the reason, the important thing is. that more and more people do it. From such wide- ly different sources as churches, theaters, schools, clubs, radio sta- tions, come the words oi “Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," “Little Town oi Bethle- hem," “Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and “Come All Ye Faithful," sung by soloists, choirs, choruses or the voices oi school children. So each year new joy is expressed through old channels. -- Frances Grinstead.

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

F YOUR Christmas tree is a

balsam-and that is the love- liest kind of all, both for appeal‘- ance and for fragrance-Anon when you first light it a cheerful old superstition urges a glance at your shadow on the wall-if you dare. Should it appear headless you will not live to see another Christmas. Then, later, when the tree is burned, another tradition suggests keeping a partly burned stick to ward oii lightning.

Paint brightens Toys

In the basement or the attic many oi us will find old toys the children have discarded. .Chrlstmas is al- most here and much joy can be- brought into the lives of less fortu- nate youngsters if we get out these toys, give them a coat of gayly col- ored enamel and distribute them ourselves or turn them over, to a social agency to be handed out to needy youngsters on St. Nick's day.

In England's Waenll Bowls‘ , Brewed in England's .Yuletide wassall bowls are baked apples, hot ale seasoned. with spice, orange juice and rind and whipped eggs.

Plan Chi-Mme: Dinner Plan to prepare ss much of the meal as possible on the day prior to

A Sign in the sky Was a a ~fChrietmas Time Cross

g‘ ELL. Batty, we'll be . handing ourselves a grand present by this

time tomorrow."

"Yah, I don't hnnker after the job. Somebody in this home-town of mine might get wise to me."

“Scared? You ‘been away ten years doing time; You're out now, and free. No one ain't going to see you. You‘ can lift plenty from that house you been telling about. You know every inch of it, by your say."

“Sure Ido. I lived in it for nearly twenty years."

The man beside him in the speed- ing car whistled. “Never knew that." _

“You keep your trap sh ut, Slinky."

Clouds swept across the moon, now revealing it round and bright, now hiding it.

“Stormy,” said Slinky, “all the better for us." '

They entered a broad village street. Elms lined either side.

“Right pretty, ain't it?" snarled Slinky. “But too neighborly for my blood."

“l-ley," cried Ratty stopping the car. “Look at the moon shining up there behind the church steeple!”

A cross of light streamed from four corners. “Nothing but moon-

dogs." “Shut up, you. I'm telling you something. I'm not robbing the

house I was born in. I'm tough . . . but not that tough."

“You crawling dirty rat!"

“And I'm going to church on Christmas morning like I used to with my, my," he hesitated, “with my folks. We got decent clothes. I'm going. That there," he pointed at the streaming fight, “well, for just a minute I felt like l used to feel when I lived here as a boy. I'm going, and so are you. We can say Merry Christmas then, for once, without faking it. That cross," his voice was husky, “shows me up for just what I am . . . a rat. You and me, slinky, are going to be decent tomorrow." - M a r th a Banning Thomas.

iliilfiflfifiififififii%flfililliflilfl Through the Clouds and

in Time for Christmas ihbifinflfififi%$fl%fillififififi THE plane, "The Betsy Lee,"

n!

had climbed to 10,000 feet. The

man at the controls peered through the misted glass at the dense bank of clouds ahead. He had already encountered one squall, and there was a coating of ice on the wings.

Should he turn back, and take the train that would get him home too late for Christmas? Then he thought how disappointed Lucy and the kids would be. Christmas without Dad- dy. l-le squared his jaw and mut- tered: “Bill Parker, you're no quit- ter; Betsy, we are going throughl" lie grasped the stick with a steady hand as the bank of clouds loomed closer, and plunged into them.

The wind tore at the plane, caus- ing it to zigzag crazily and it took all the strength of Bill's iron mus- cles to prevent a tailspin. Rain and hail fell in torrents,.with an occa- sional flash of lightning piercing the inky darkness.

- “What a storm to flghtl" If he could climb high enough he might get above it. The roar of the en- gine answered, as he opened up the throttle, and the plane began to climb. Twenty thousand feet, the instruments registered. The storm was still with him. Five thousand more-Jae felt dizzy and numb. Then a lull as the plane roared into a calm, moon-silvered night.

Bill pounded his numb hands. “We're going through, Betsy, old girl, but it was close to ‘Another plane crashed’ headline. We missed the front page but we'll soon -be homeP-Jocile Webb Pearson.

N0 CHRISTMAS COAT

Snake-Mrs. Bunny asked her hus- band for a new coat for Christmas.

Leopold-What did he say!

Snake-That she had no business shedding her old one.

LOM-Yesr-Old Play Hampshire mummers still per- form a play which is‘ said to be 1,000 years ‘old and for which there ls no written script. The mummers are farm laborers who weer cos- tumes made of colored well aper. They give the play at 0hr on tune-Pearson's London Weekly.

\

Christmas lslsda, Gelatin salads colored reon or

Christmas so that the housewife can ‘enlohy with her family.

,, designs makesfloetivo I

red and out out in various tmu

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Christmasglsgfiirthday A of the Prince of Peace

HE sound of s children's

quarrel broke the Christmas

afternoon quiet. Mrs. Steele put aside the bits of tissue and rib- bon she had been collecting. ll!!! celled her three sons to her.

"Boys," she said, "I have one more Christmas gift for you." The? gathered eroundrher in excitedan- ticipation. "It was thotvery first gift mentioned when the Christ Child was'born—"

"Gold, mother?" asked the eldest eagerly.‘ - .

“No, Franklin. Something fer more precious- Peace. ‘Peace on earth,’ remember? Good will is sel- dom forgotten 'at Christmas but peace too often is."

‘ “But how can you give us peace!" cried the second in disappointment.

"I can't be sure, son. No person alone can guarantee peace, but ev- eryone can help. Right now I can .ahow three boys how foolish it is to quarrel."

“I-low, Mother?"

,"Franklin, you are stronger than your brothers. You could take their toys. But suppose then they join together to take yours’! In the end all the toys will be broken, and you will have quarreled for nothing."

“But suppose they take mine first?"

“Wouldn't it be better to agree to all play together and all enjoy them than to fight?"

“Is it that way with nations too?"

“Exactly. Wars leave everyone worse oil’ than before."

“But don't people want peace, Mother?" .

“Wanting is not enough. When everyone who wants peace does something to bring it about, then Christmas will really mean the birthday or the Prince of Peace- the coming of ‘Peace on earth, good will to men.’ "-Helen Waterman.

ili K$$KIE$§IUS8XKKIEI A Nice Christmas Gift,

Thought Happy Marilyn iifl$fi$fiflfififi§flifiil

LTHOUGH he lived across the hall, their acquaintance had been only a bowing one until

he had reminded her that morning in the elevator there were only three days more until Christmas. A welcome announcement ior any’ employee in Baxter's store, she thought. '

She hadn't known his name until his sister spoke to Marilyn Marsh just as she was putting her key into her door that evening. Mrs. Hunt, Wade Kendall's sister, as she in- troduced herself, was having diffi- culty with some decorations. Would Marilyn help her? Marilyn did, in spite of preferring to rest after her day's work at Baxter's. Wade came while they were working with the decorations, and soon conversation turned to what plans each had for Christmas day. Mrs.. Hunt would be with the Kendalls for the family reunion. Wade would not be though because business prevented. Mari- lyn had no plans, so Wade suggested they spend the day togetheri . .-

Christmas day, Wade learned that Marilyn had been forced~to give up her music instruction and was em- ployed otherwise; he had guessed that, he said. The music he used to see her carry, he noticed she never had with her now. Too, he had seen her in Baxter's-and he had told his sister that anyone who could rise above disappointment and keep as cheerful and friendly as Marilyn, was an inspiration, and worth know-

ln .

That was the best gift she had ro- ceived, she told him. She hoped to bean inspiration always. His eyes and lips told her she would.- Blanche Tanner Dlllin.

, recruiters?

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS

NLOVING indeed must be the

heart that cannot offer and re- spond to that universal greeting, for Christmas is the time beyond and above all others when we should forget differences and dis- agreements and quarels. Seri- ous though we may have hitherto thought them, shall we not put an endto them as tho Yuletide greeting rings ln our ears, "A Happy Christmas!"

"Malling Early"

The first reference to “mail early" in the Poet Office depart- ment files ls in November, ms. This was at the time was established. Sen oversees during tho Wor ._ ~ phasizgld thehldoas, and, succeed years ave un mollpd pa more evenly distributed weeks before .