\

v

w». ‘was: ammo

her throat and h.ld buck the words she had intended to say.

And despite the horrid bomb- ings he had experienced repeated- ly during the past few months, he looked st) wcll, so fit. (Jli, it was grand to have hiiu buck, cvcn for

av-

.We Can Dance, Can't We ?

Home Again!

A Christmas Story

n; 5......“ u

Dancing at Christmas time is equally as necessary flllli villi h»

“I

it was to be such a. surprise. One of those once-in-s-lifetime thrills. Not only did it have an element of the unexpected, but to hap- pen at Christmas. That was the crowning glory of it all.

Then to fall so flat. Anticipation, it has been said, is nearly g1- ways more exciting than realization. But this was to have been the outstanding exception. It couldn't be anything else. But ft very nearly was.

Marlon often had pictured in those long, weary, tiresome four- tccn mouths what forni the reunion would take. In her active mind. with a knowing smile creasing her pretty, careworn face, she bad worked everything cut to the laett ‘mm- A“ b“ ‘m’ “m. “m” clasped the baby to her breast one that anyone could have over— and poured ‘he glad tidings mm lwked’ one 5'0“ hardly could be the uncompreliendlng curs of her expected '0 consider‘ But mat second-born. Uncoiuprebcnding‘! W“ n“ m“ m“ bimmh" m“ Well hardly. In her own way the black abyss of hopelessness and babsfmdlcamd ma‘, ‘he “Aden despair very close to realization. "and what n w“ an Mm“, and

She had craved: eh. how she chuckled as her mother alterna- imd iii-eyed. Atgilsl t. by herself. tely laughed and wept, talked when the house was quiet. She and 5am; and Shirley, who suddenly had The“ ‘he p,“ m“ baby down sprung up into a ten-year-Old. and in orderly fashion set about “d w“ “Wm m‘ b‘b7‘° pny- planning the thousand, and one Sim" h‘ ‘h’ mm “KM °t u“ things that must be done. She did 1“'h‘5"°°m' Wm‘ m“ w“) mu‘ not know even what time Jerry die“ kneeling berm“ her" Sh“ had would arrive home tomorrow. first delighted them with her woum It be early morning‘ Mo“. “Mi” “mums "m" °t MW late afternoon, or late evening? mm" ‘mum happan‘ A“ men’ That was another factor to be h" “m! ‘Dram prmecungly considered. Everything must be nbout them, she would offer a under control by tonight a, the prayer for his early and safe re- latest’ turn. Now, she asked herself. what's

0111! Willie" "mill-l"! D951‘ to be done, and where do I start? 60d in HQIVGH. l°l11°l1fl1B!—m0li There was the house to clean; 0f tllB tim9——it felt lillO IOUHGGB ghgpplng to b; dung, And u, roars. Dear Jerry! What WM 11° Christmas tree. Jerry always in-

a short time.

Jerry embraced his wife and held her tenderly ‘or .1 long time. Anti ilicn she was rcady with the endless sircum of questions she bud to ask him. Slie was sur- prised t.i.\d hurt, therefore, lo have him ask her to hold her en- quiries. Hardly a word of explan- ation either, except:

"Just dropped iii '2» a fcw minutes, honey. I've got a lot of people to see, you know. Been away for a long time, and I'd like to round up some of the gang and have a little fun."

Marion suld nothing. But sbr: felt that lio must have noticcd the hurt in her eyes. That she

could not help. And when he rose from his cbair and walked to the floor, with a hurried good-bye

tlirulvti UYKBI‘ his shoulder, she could hold bat-k the tours no longer.

What have l done to deserve

this’! she asked herself over and over again, the tears streaming down the lines of worry that hzitl com»: to crcziso licr inc-o during tho pus-t fourteen mouths. llow co ild be treat her so’! The “g~.ng" coming before her. Nnr had he enquired about the cliil- llrcii Shirley anti the baby who haul bccn born shortly before he went on zicilvo service. Uli, ilic bitterness of it all. To her mind, blinded by tears, hopelessness and despair, there was no pos- sible excuse.

'l‘bc door SillllllllCii zigziin lntc

liflllll! wit?! llilllfifif- ‘Vim hi"! sistotl on this final touch for the bccii looking after him with tho Yuletide season same care and love she had lav- with m,“ glorious 8111mm-

tlon she went about these ordin- ary household tasks. But they meant so much more to her now.

lsberi upon him. Not a seargent- major, surely? She smiled. How mucli longer? she asked iierself.

And then it (slime-the ines- sage. Like a bolt from the bluc. Long sought and yet quite unex- peeled. It was almost too good to as true, especially when it lisp- llvllvrl lust before Christmas.

The message itself was terse enough. llut that wits to bo ex- pected. hlnrion know and under- rtood the strict censorship regul- ations thnt could reduce s. tele- gram that originally was fiili of lhvo and understanding to this:

HAVE LANDED l'lAS'l‘ COAST STOP WILL ARRIVE HOME ON LEAVE CHRISTMAS EVE. Jerry.

Despite the brusque, business- like nature, didn't it hold a world of promiso and fulfillment?

Slie hnrtlly know wlizit to do first. Christmas Eve. Wby, that was tomorrow! So much to be done and s0 little time in which to accomplish the multitude of arrangements.

After a few nionicuts of dis- traction during which she \vun- dered about in aimless fashion, not knowing quite what to do first, Marion pulled herself to- gather. For the first time in mouths, she began to sing. Not n drlib song of war to which her cars and mind had been accus- tomed, but a gay love sons. Her lover was returning from the ficld of bnttle. For Christmas!

Shirley. of course, vvns siill at sclionl. Classes would not eiid liti- til this afternoon. But she could withhold herself no longer. Slie

Kiln Expert carves The Turkey ‘i

breast, tho knife starts s littic higher on the breast. Scrve slices of white and dark meat in equal proportions. Your knife must be as sharp as s razor, the platter large enough for free movement. and you should have

Why, Jerry, at this very moment,

was speeding on a troop train from the east coast. I wonder where be is right now? she asked herself time and time ngnln. Such glorious fortune! Such delicious anticipation!

It was not until the front door slammed in that old familiar fashion that was music tn licr ears that linrion rcallzcrl be bnll collie homo at last. Qllifkil’. B5 she ran to the door, her eyes glanced at the hall clock. Two o'clock in the afternoon of Christ- mas Eve.

"Jvlriy!" she wls unable to say more ns licr excitement well- ed up in her throat. Months of delicious anticipation tightened

To stand or sit? 'l‘lu\t is the first big question.

Better stand, lilr. lllan-of-the House, unless you are a past master of the art.

Be sure the turkey is placed (In the platter with the breast bone towards the carver. That is one of the cardinal rules, accord- 111s to carving experts.

Cut off the leg first, separat- "IE It from the bird by cuttlni! down through skin next t0 the body and by twisting the l8! downward and outward.

Cut apart tbs upper and low- er parts of the leg at the joint. twisting the drumatick slightly to enable the knife to ciit throiisil- Remove the bone from the dark meat of tho upper lcg and carve llieat into slices, cutting down-

eiitra warm plates nearby mi which to lay the slices of turkey as carved.

ward and at an angle.

New tor cutting tho white meat 0f the breast. Experts say it is important to make a deep incl- slon into the side of the bird ii!!! above the wing bone and at right "fifties to the breast bone. Then “Mile the breast downward and outward from tho bone as far as ihe deep incision made before Mu start slicing.

For each new slice of the

To keep the ‘turkey fast lo llic platter, use four ingenious little pins that “anchor" it to the plat- ter.

These small suction cups arc presged on the platter so that the pins will be inserted along the

backbone of the. turkey, when the bird is placed on tho pllittcr. They are invisible to use and

not to speak of embarrassment.

savo tempers and tablecloths —-

iliut night. llut bin-ion ivus not there to welcome tho newcomer. That it was Jerry, she had no doubt. At the same time, she fell this was no time to brcnk down llic icy rcscrve flint bud grown about licr heart and flint of lier daughter during the long hours of the afternoon and evening. This was no time for sentiment. although licr heart cried out for him. Sliirlcy liati stabbed herself i0 sloop.

“.\luriuii," Slie licnril lils voice in the hall.

“Ycs," she replied coldly.

“Will you conic nnd bclp me for n. mosiiciil','"

Slowly, and ivilii aching bczirt, l-iilG desticiidted the stairs. lie stood in darkness 1t the bottom.

"What is it?" she asked wear- lly. “Come iiiio the living-room with llli‘, dour. l ilillll) something to show you." All desire to touch hiai, to be close to him had deserted her, and she moved quickly ahead cf him into the largo frmit room wlicrc slic hiiii ziwuitctl his first coming with so much pleasure and anticipation. This room, too, was in -dark ness. And Marlon wondered why. Tile light lind bccu left buriiizig

when Silt‘. wciit upstairs to pre- piiro for bctl. Slie could fccl Jerry standing

close behind her. And suddenly, the lights flashed. Lho behold the Christmas trcc Sill! lind bought for his homccniuiiig. Ilut it was no loii_-:ci~ nlilmst mikctl of decor- ation. No iougcr did a fcw strips of tlnscl try pitifully to enliven the grccn branches. All liboiit it were piled dozens of parcels, nil shapes ziiid sizcs, null wrnppcd in guy (‘hristiiius pnpcr.

Slie iuriicii to him, and il iCill‘ ran slowly down each cheek.

"Oh, Jerry," slie said, "wby did you do it?"

Ilo grliliicti. "Wcll, it's (‘brist- mus, isn't ii? llziil io got a couple of llfvSvllii-i for my llitlc wife and daughters. didn't l?"

"l know,” Her heart was light again now. her lips smiling, but she sohlicd as though she might nevcr stop. "I itnow," she repelli- cd, “but why did you walk nutro quickly this afternoon without even asking about the children?"

lie put his arm nbout her waist and led hcr to n big easy chair. Ho sat down and pullcll hcr m his kncc.

“‘\Vcll. when I sniv that Shirley wasn't home and tho baby was upstairs, I decided I'd like to have tbcui see me on Christmas morning for the first time. Snvl of Sonia (linuu lu pcrsnn with lots of gifts. And I ltnr-w if l sinycrl around. that ivould all have to be forfoitcu.

"And ilicn. l knew you ivoulll wnnt to go with me lo buy the gifts, hilt I fclt I must go by inv- solf. Something special, you know. first Christmas at homo in tlircc yours. I'm sorry, binrion." ho prided tondcrly. »

“Sorry for wliui?" she respon- l"‘f| 1!'l_\'l_\'. "Why. it's morn ivml- tlerful than ever now! But don‘! you dare do it again!"

iv - - g g; This C/irlsmas g; iv ii lisi-wzizrommasvizimaarsolsiasiaizaamsii

Oh this eve of Christmas, what can we suy?

lVo Pflll rcpcnf, tlcspiln every- tliiltg, illlit moving (lllOilliiUil of truth uiid ilttillliy which King

George spoke for his people ou Christmas Day two years ago:

"I said to the man who stood at the gnie nf the )'f‘Zll‘——'Gi\'f‘ me at light iliut l may il‘(‘ild suic- ly liiin tho uultiiuwii,’ untl lie rc- pllcd ‘Go out into the tlnrituess and put your hand into the hand of God. That sliull be to you bcttcr than light and safer ihoii the known \viiy‘.”

And lct us not bciruy ourselves into believing that everything on earth today denies Christmas. It may dcny its mcrrlmeiit, its joy;

it (loos not deny its essential sipirit of man's immortal longing for iiczivc. for tho truth which

Christmas tolls. lt is for lliut spirit, for the message that came to Bethlehem two thousand years ago. that millions of iiicn tndny are fighting and prepared in givc their lives.

Down more than nliictccn liiin- dred years sinco the first Christ- mas tbs world has been scarred by wars, niid oftcu tlirontcnell by tyrants, but noiwiilistuiiiliiig zill lilo St)l'l‘l)\\' that camp, to it; (los- pite all the bllistilieiiiics of tics- pots, the spirit of Christmas livcs on: doatblcss in its message. Long after the tyrants of today linvo pnsscti liito oblivion it will still vxiui —-— the grvittcst, trill-st. most wonderful tiling in lhc hearts of nicn.

And peace need not necessar- ily be in the ~spirlt of Christmas. Jnnics Russell Lowell nnco dc- iiouiicctl \\'lll‘ iii uiicoiiipromising, unforgettable tihrnses, yct when the North rose to defend whnt be thought the cause of freedom, be penned this invocation to Pence:

"Come, Ponce! not like a mourn- or bowed honor lost and dear ones wasted, V But proud, to meet a people proud. With cycs that lcll of triumph taslcil-—

For

"Uonic. stich its mothers pruycll for. ndicn

'l‘licy ltlssctl their cross with lips that quivcrctl.

An‘ bring fair wages mon,

A nniion snvcd, cred!"

for brave

n race deliv-

Tlie truth is that not ofton in tho world's history bus the spirit of (Tlirislmns, its truo nicnnlitg fir mun, been more strikingly cv-

cmpllfied than ln the spectacles

interview with A‘

(Lats-t your. l'L‘1lLil‘l',\‘ iliil_\' rucull, our roving reporter took it upon himself to interview and obtain

for p u b i i c consumption the thoughts mid rcziciioiis of :t (‘hrisluiiis turkey, ails.» i'ni' public

consumption. So grziiil'_viiig \\'\'l'i: the results, the gobblcr having placed himself on record on a nuliibcr of questions of gencrnl coliccrii, flint \vo llilYf‘. uskcrl our l‘l‘llt)l‘lf‘l' i0 undertake in iiiicr- viciv ll representative of ziiiollici- species of potential Christmas dinner, namely, the common hog.) "I saw that plcce you (ilii on lilo turkey’ lust your." this walking: (‘liristmzis tliiiucv iolll inc ivlicii I introduced myself, "and bclicvc nie, brother." he added, a trifle wistfully, “that baby hntl the right kind of spirit. Never let 'eiii know _vou‘rc jittery about the futiirc. 'l'li:ii's iiiy iiiotio, too." Slie loft inc ilicii for ll. iiioiiieiit and nosed about the stye as if reflecting upon the import of her remarks. Perhaps ll was the uwy she wntlillcll nbout, but i liciziin lo filiil tho pllicc iiici"ciisiiii;ly1 noisniiic; the odor, l loiiiill, was} particularly offensive, and I sill;- gestcd we might continue the in- tcrvicw elsewhere. Somewhere a littin more rcfrcshiiig. But, pov- lllK buck in wlicro l stood lcziiiiiii: on tho ivootlcn enclosure, she ivtis ndninant on the point.

"You must understand," she said a. little reprnviugly, “that this is now io luc. granting liifcr- views ziull the lilac. Anti l must say I iccl more at homo in my own habitat. Ilelps my nervous- ness.

"Now, those questions you ivnntctl in ask me. liow do I fool nbout (‘liristmzirff llu. llrntlicr, you've got something there. l think I'll answer your question by asking you another. Iimv would you fecl if you were being sent

of men, women, nlid cbiltlrcii willing to endure ilcntli and stif- ferlng, cndilre all the violence mid anguish that bale and vile- ncss can visit upon them, for tlic

sukc of an ldczil: Tho iilcal of justice, of fiiiill, of (Iliristiuii goodiicss on this curib.

So lct us not lio lltnvncnst on

(‘lirlslmns llny. l.ct us not any

lliut tho world is ion blczik, too filll of evil to make merry, cvcn for liiile children. The world. after all, ninscs that were without sorrow: tlicro was sorrow lii llcthlcliciii on thlit first (lhrisimns ‘hive. i.ci us. llicrcforc, bring linppinnsar \\‘|lf‘l'(‘Vl‘l‘ wc can‘, spend our

(‘hrislnins Day iii nifcciinii zimi love nlid charity.

made as enjoyable for all ages as good things .nd good fun which ac On Christmas Day, for instanc

main nical we should feel more fit

would banish that headachy feelin

¥

‘(l-Iifi-lfl-llilllllifil

5n ‘G728 u Cahristmas Spirit

a- JQrHlBiBIBI IlBiDt5lDt§t§iIiir

The conception of Christmas varies with different individuals and is tied up with childhood recollections. To those who live in the colder climates like ours, ilic mood of Christmas brings thoughts of winter twilight, with snow falling softly in large, white flakes, of log fires crackling on the hearth, of the quietness of a white blanket which festoons, de- corates, and softens the rough, rude aspects of the landscape. On the other hand, to those who are accustomed to warmer climes, thoughts of Christmas may bring visions of poinsettias blooming by the door, or of palms dancing in the sharpened breezes of winter. To all of us it means goodwill, an increase in our feeling of klnrlliness toward those about us. and remembrance of some friends we may have forgotten some- where during the year.

This year, of all years, we for- tunate people on this continent should cherish and promote our

Chrismas Parker Lo Ibo rluiir l|\‘\i ill-viii”

She loolicil up at iiio with a sly glance, and I did not have the heart to pursue this line of ques- ilflllillLf, “\\'li:it do you lliiiik of llio l1t‘!l\‘l‘ili ivorlll silll:ililiii'.‘" l zislicll bcr iiislciltl.

Once zigalii, she ivzitldlsd about the muddy stye. If slio had been able in put bcr liriiiils behind her

bail-it, ii would liiivo licnii perfect.

“\‘\'»~ll li'l\\', iil‘(iilli‘l'," slic sziiil fliilill_\', "illiiis something else again. I'm giflii you asked, though, because that one factor

cliii . .< tlic. whole coliiplcxion 0f lliiiiu. . You i(li(l\\', of course." she wont ou, :illtiost. Clillfiiielliiflii)’, "that most pork products are be- ing sent overseas this year to feed the long-suffering Britons and our (‘zinnrliziii soldiers over there.

"tltiiiii" yo. "s, it has iiicrely been ii iiintit-i‘ of \‘ilili~illllllli(‘li slniigli- tcr of my kiii just to stuff the receptive but not necessarily empty stomachs of fat people like yourself who fi-cl llicv must have

st siivviilciif. pig for (‘lirisiiiuis lilllilvl‘. l lllli~1i l'lll]iilil.~‘.l'/-Q that. we lizivo TOHPIIiOiI that. Aiirl rest-uteri it strongly; as strongly, indeed,

as your pernicious habit of com- paring greedy pcrstills to pigs. It's iiiifziir," silo wouiirl up dra- iiizilil-zllljr. “it's iiiicniisfjiuiioiitll." Anti [swear thxit, in licr stirring emotion, she flipped her curly little tall.

"Rut this your, ns I sny, it's (llffl-rpiit. Now iiliifl iiiri. Iiiy stern \\ill pruvillu two rnthcr tasty linliis. l-‘riiiii llia small of my buck, will come salt pork and lard. Under that. the butcher will tiiscovcl‘ it really very nice loin pnrk, some delicious pork chops. liiill n llll‘ll.*-‘lll‘l\ of good (Ynnmiizin iizicoii. Underneath tlioee again are bacon null spzireribs. Going forward a little, (excuse my nau- tlcnl liingiingcl are the shoulder buts and picnic shoulders, as the lllli('lll'l' llcsiwtiiitcs llinm. Then cvcn my neck bones are consid- orcil choice. h_v the gourmet. Not in iiicntlnn my ears. the head- clicr-so and scrapplc, bacon s-qiinlW-s, pig's kliiicklcs null pig's

traditions. We should indulge in all those comforting little rituals which etched themselves so viv- idly on our consciousness as chil- dren. A candle burning in the window, the ceremony of decorat- ing tlie tree, and holly wreaths nn the door will take us for a

est! woes

few moments from the horror and pain of the reality of war.

So let us give special emphasis to tho things we have done for generations as free men and wo- men, let us promote all of those traditions which tie us so closely to our America.

CHRISTMAS TREES The Christmas tree which all Canadian boys and girls regard as essential to traditional Christ- nins celebration, was introduced into England from Germany by Queen Victoria. The custom of loading the young spruce tree with gifts originated with the an- cient Romans, who used them at the Sntiirnnlin, s feast held in honor of Snturnus, the god of ag-

heavy meal would be well digested from» the exercise and

the traditional dinner and other companies the festive season. l, if We all had 40 nilnutcs quiet

dancing to soothing music instead of 40 minutes dead sleep after the

and happy because the uiiiisiinlly that g which spoils so much essential

enjoyment on this one day 0f all days in the year. It is a time of joy, and the natural thing to do is to "dance and

be merry.“ Just wiiiit ltiiiti of dances? Any old dllllliiz! Lilli-ist- mas time is a reunion of families; therefore the dancing should he such that all can join in, all ages, even those who are so old they can only shuffle. 'l'licroitirt~ tlnni-e ivliut you like, bow you lilic, but the young folk should dual-o as gracefully as they know bow. Grandma and Grandpa will not be able to do the latest stops but they will enjoy gcltiiig up null doing exactly wliut fiilps iill'_\' please, even if they are all wrong, so long as they are let alone to jog round in their own way.