~..\Ji:) inn 1
‘fl-IE UHARLO'l"l‘l£'l‘OWN GUARDIAN
l
wz-eriisiiirri-"r. #1119115:
‘tf-“if!
>\ i.-ezti.,r-“~i-*-"iv
.31.‘ 1
like??? {hf-Tl A_=\@ . .
Old Memories of Santa
i Claus Beglg Revived
St. Nicholas Biography Has Many Unique Chapters _,.___.
". 11.1‘. for Deceiiibti" G, Dec-
ciilil bi: sliorti of much liixeiiibci" s is ‘iiie day of 11.1 . the original Saintii ~_ the iloutilc of Fiithci" Christ- Peru I-Joel. How and when t all hiippenerl it ls impossible to " The lllnlOflCill saint is It.» 11nd lllllflilCClllJlt‘ Qs 51111111 wlzd and ubiquitous. In ~ 11.111 "i1 local habitation and ' 1.11111 that ivris ziil he had. tlie lllO>l tlitit van be iiruiit! t..11 e11‘ .011 fist of history. Dur- - l-Ilillil century he was first. 11d tllJll an abbot at S1011. in A:.ii Alincr. He thfn . .ibi.~~hop of Alivd. lfaving ,1 .11 1hr- liiiiiils of the Em- I);1L‘i"ll;lll. he .\lll'\'i\'C'(l him .. 111x11 cii December 6. hi 345 or m»), in 1111 ouirter (toys of Constan- 111K‘. lluzne >111’ that he “'11s iwwnt .11 1H1- Council of Nieacii, but iionc .- ,»_.-1- eiiid tliiit they hud setn :\tl‘.‘l' his death he D051" W iiniiriLv bu.-.\‘- thc patron of children. ham ,:_ .'__:1ll0l'15. travellers 1.1,. l 11;. rs and he used to be the izitron of Russia. Nearly 400 churches v.1 1171111311111 iilonc are (lCCllCtltCd to i". in a .1 all 11111111: thc northern coast of .1\li"ii-.i_ v.11 "1: \'eptune used to 'l1l\\'t3 hi; ieiiiiilezs. Nicholas has his lies. He is the chief saint in Orthodox or Eastern Church. ' teil to America with tlie 1')1,.11_-l1 1d 1 re-exported to Eur- ope 51111111 Clsins. Xfzziiy eontplztin that tlic cult of Siritii Claus has been commercializ- rd; but the cult of St. Nicholas was t"lllllllt". liiliiied in 1087. On May of tlizit _11-.ir the merchants of Bari, in 11111;" l'lll(l1'tl Myra where the relics if St. NlcllfilllS were venerated, and ‘icy took thc relics home. lt “'11s g move 11mg 3111M, them and their successors. ’I'o this day his shrine at- tracts thousands of pilgrims every wniv-ziiicl the merchants; Tike it. Yet where is Santa Claus btiried lii till this?‘
lie cm
l-lis propensity for giving presents 1.". rceii ivhcn one reads of the three
gold given to the Myrii v for whoni their father was tio poor to provide a, (lowry. Stir- reptitioiisijs, Nicholas gave thc money t.) mve tliein from a life of shame.
'l'lie bags became balls of gold and iittez" they appeared on the crest of tlie llledieis. they were seen on tlie i-eiat of arms 01' Lombardy. From Lion nrilv ‘ihev 1111111 over with the "ham." to Fliiulnncl and hcvutlhc tl".1 first lriillcrrs were pawnhrckcrs. 11,1,- three tziiiit 11:111.; still hang.
The :":iin't-lovc for little children is ,~::ei1 in the suitable arrangements he llltlll(‘ for three boys to ztttcnd the lJiil\"i-i":<ity' of Athens. When they \\_'(\[‘(v [yaypling in Athens they had to piss through Myra and, though they liiid it leitcr of introduction to the lllfllllltillOll, they put. up at an inn. '1 hr‘ iiinkeeiaei" envious of their excel- lr-nt. luggage, killed tliein and stole tlvr'_l1i1‘:\_"’.|!". Ilr~ eiit up the bodies (‘lid thrrvr them into it barrel in
which there was port in pickle.
Nicholas had it revelation of the inn-H
kctpers perfidy and he hastened to reprove him. The IIIIIKCCDCI‘ repent- ed and implored the .=<-1-~v to revive the boys. St. Nicholas did it. In the picture one can see him standing bc_ side a barrel fi"oiii which two of the three boys are climbing and that proves tlic story-if anything does.
Nor did the saint- wait till he was old to prove his merits. When he ivas 1i babe, lie refused all stisten- iince on Vvetliiesdays and Fridays. Even after he was dead, his merits were shown. in the ‘manna di S. Nic- ola" which flowed from his relics at Biiri. It was the perfect cure.
It is not difficult. then, to believe that Santa Claus is able now with all the modern meals of transport at his disposal. to be everywhere on (‘l1i"i:~tm:1s Eve and to climb down the chimneys in lbfoiitrcal. where there are so few fireplaces.
CHRISTMAS DAY " 1N THE SIXTIES
iCcntinucd from Page 31
AFTER SERVICE
’I'h:> afternoon is hardly long enough for tlie Vicariige children to distribute their Christmas gifts, and the evening with its good cheer and its merry making is welcomed by n11. For dinner there ivas the Roast Beef of Old England, the Turkey, the Plum Pudding, sweetineuts 11nd fruit, fol- lowed by n few crackers and snup- dragon. The flowing. bowl was by no incnns absent fthc lcaven of tem- pcrance had as yet but dimly cast its shadow before).
Then a health to every friend The night's repast. shall end, and toasts and hcalths foi" one and all were joyfully received, nbscnt friends never omitted. The long ev- eifng finished ivith round games of cards, and then the younger ones
slipped off to bed.
Outside come the voices of coroll- ing Waits. reminding all the party that. "charity sufiereth long and is kind." While last of all tlie bell- ringcrs with their clever changes, make the still clear night ar echo with their melody.
And so "Good night, Sir. were a- coing to the Big House now. and think ye kindly. and a Happy New Year when it comes rind many more of 'ein".
So one more Noel is numbered with the past for tlie Vicarage Children.
tCopyright.)
INCOMPREHENSIBLE PINS
Pills are either of steel or of tinned brag; and these two kinds are "not itsually distinguishable save by mug- nct. Obtain a few of each and lift a. steel pin with the magnetized knife. Challenge someone else to do it even with your knife 11nd secretly substit- ute a brass pin for the steel one. To his surprise he will fail to lift it- Thcn exchange the pins again and show that you alone are capable of the feat. '
m cgnymg a- 0. "hbfi. "a al- lino -
1
Xnu 0n. etifig; , I'm-i Pet c r1195}
iiiitii-iilliilsilliziitléé%
-O
2ND PRIZE JUNIOR DRAWING 1 By Muriel McKay
1ST PRIZE, JUNIOR
Robin ’s Christmas ‘Eve.
J By Ruth Cudmore
night, guess ‘we will have sleighlng for Christmas," said he to his wife, as he drewvhis great arm chair up to the hearth. The bright red light told Robin it must be warm in there, but the children were so busy getting their stockings hung up, that they did not hear his loud pecking at the window. -
Presently a man appeared fi"om the house opposite, he was muffled up warm, and carried a lantern. “Nasty night; this to have to turn out," he muttered, as he plunged through the drifted snow.. "But I'll have to fix
the fire in the Church so it will‘
bc ready for the morning." 1 Robin flew along, enchanted by th
' bright light of the lantern, and too
hungry to go asleep. Coming to the Church, Jim-for such was the man's name-fumbled in his pockets a few seconds, inserted n. key, then threw open the great wide doors. A gush of wind came liurying in, carrying Rob. in ivith it, but so quick was he, that Jim did not know of his presence.
Jim closed the doors and went over to the stove, shook down the ashes, then stirred up the great bed of live coals, heaped on some more fuel. then strode out of the building clicking the great doors behind him.
As Robin began to feel warm, he hopped about from seat to scat. Sud- denly his sharp little eyes saw a nice bunch of hollyjaerries in the corner o.’ one. How they came there Robin little cared as he ate every one. He felt more like himself as his hunger was satisfied, and as he hopped up on the back of n sent, he gazed down on his plump little foi"m, and thought he. had better bi"tisli his feathers down before retiring for the night. Robin would never once dream of closing an eye in such a rumpled state. so he shook himself once or twice, then began running his slend- ei lacak down his plump red breast, and when he had finished his toll- et even to the tip of his tall, he tucked his head uiidei" his wing and fell into a deep slumber.
Robin slept sound that night and dreamed that it was a warm summer clay, and that he was helping Dick the gardiiei" search for grubs. Not" (lid he awake until he heard Jim poking the fire on Christmas moi"n_ ing. Feeling rather timid he flew up the aisle and settled himself on 11 twisted branch of holly, then he gazed all nrotind him in astonish- ment foi" the building was draped everywhere with Christmas holly. The big Juicy berries invited him to cat. Presently he heard strange nois- ea" and children and grown folk tlironged tlie pews. followed lair-i" by the Rector himself. The great bell pt-iiletl forth the Christmas chimes,
and the organ took up the sacred service. The Rector on opening his book wished the congregation to Join in singing the following hymn with pure reverence in their hearts for the Blessed occasion:
O holy child of Bethlehem,
Desccnd to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in ,
Be born in us today
We heiir the heavenly'angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide in us,
Our Lord Immanuel.
No sooner had they finished the hymn, than a. clear sweet voice sounded from a. corner" of the room, taking it up and singing it over and over again.
The Rector paused and all eyes turned to see Robin perched on the spray of holly, which swayed with his tune. He seemed to think the verse was meaifr. for litm, so he sang it with all reverence, in the only wny he knew how.
The hearts of many were touched that morning as the Rector pointed out to them, the little heart that: was brimming with happiness, Iwhen all outside had seemed dark and dreary, and although storm and clan. gcr had threatened him, he had not given up hope, but had at last found shelter in God's House. ‘
I 2nd Prize, Junior "A CHRISTMAS SCARE I . By Pauline Linkletter
tContlnued from Page 9) She knew the results of most pois~ oned children asvshe had rend and heard J._ lot about sticli things. Surc- ly if it could have effect on other cltildreu it could have effect oii her, too. Vvasnt she feeling kind of "queer
_ even now"? 0h, but that medicine her
mother gave her wns bitter! In tlie midst of these thoughts Anne's brother Ted came in swinging his skates.
"Oh Aime, the ice is grand this
.morning! Get your skates quick and
conic on out." lic dropped his cheer- ftil tone and look when he saw Anne lying very pale and sick looking on
the couch. "Vi/huts wrong with Anne " ~
mother?’ he asked in a. somewhat low- er tonc. "She was alright when I ivent out just a little while ago." "She drank poison,’ replied Mrs. Ilarrett. “I called Di". Abbot but. he is not home and won't be home» till this evening. Then I ‘phoned Doug~ las but he won't be here for an hour at the very least and 1' don't know ivhnt to do." She looked despairlrigly at Ted but he said brightly, "Oh, I say mother, Douglas promised me he
.\. “
2ND PRIZE SENIOR. DRAWING
By lvliirgarct Taylor
3rd Prize, Junior‘
HE FOUND A WAY By Olive DeRoche
(Continued from Page 91
His teacher and also all his school friends loved him dearly.
The night before Christmas he and his little brothers and sisters hung up their stockings and got all ready for Santa Claus visit. _
They wrote him a. letter and put it on their stockings so that he would be sure to find it.
They made a. nice Christmas tree and then went: to bed early.
They were rt little afraid that San-
ta would not come because they were V,
poor.
They closed their little eyes in sleep, wondering lfsanta. would come and thinking what a disappointment it would be to them, if he did not come.
They awoke early the next morn- ing and with oneleap were at their stockings. ‘
Santa. had riot forgotten them, and they certainly felt glad.
' They spent a very good Christmas.
This little boy gave members of his famil/ their presents, but he did not forget to give a little gift to all his little chums.
It made him feel glad to see them so thankful.
And he was glad that he could earn money to buy Christmas pres- ents.
They also had n. very nice examin- ation in their school at Christmas and Snnta Claus was there also and lie brought 116 and his brother and sisters very nice presents.
'During" his Christmas holidays he and his brother and sisters had great sport playing with their toys that Santa Claus had brought them.
The little boy got s. little greedy and lic often wished that Christmas would come every day and he would get presents every day. »
Every night before going to bed lic
‘would think of tlie night before Christmas that he went to bed early
as he was expecting Siintn Claus.
would bring home a goose foi" Christ- mas. Won't that be great? I was so afraid we wouldn't be able to get one and Christmas dinner without a goose is very unnatural. Will Aime be well inside of two days?"
“No, I am afraid not," answered his mother gravely, "she drniik so much she may never get better." Here the poor woman burst into tears.
Aline, hearing this conversation thought, “Oh, how wretched I am to be sure. If I had gone when mother called me, I wouldn't have drunk the poison and if ‘I hadn't drunk the poison I wouldn't be lying here un- der the terrible cffcctsof poison."
All the time between the time Mrs. Barrett culled Douglas and the time
‘he got home, she was never idle.
CHRISTMAS S T OR Y AND DRA WING c ON TES T
. idi€t§lfiifii€ffiifilfif%
The World-wide Turkey
The turkey is now the most pop- uliir feature of the Christmas fare, yet. there are, probably, few who could tell you where it came from originally. Certainly it is a long time ago since it came to Europe-Col- umbus is said to have introduced it from the New World. Mexico is nam- ed as the land in which it first shook it feathers as a domesticated bird, but when tlie great Genoese nrrlved in the West Indies it had long been transported to those is- lands. We must pay him a little credit for recognising that it might very suitably continue its Journey East for the benefit of the people of his own hemisphere. Today it vies in importance with the hour's liead and
the peacock of mediaeval days, q. though we did not. accord it the ceremony that was given to the bird with the wonderful tall, for m common hands were permitted to serve the peacock to the table. Only the most distinguished lady guest; o; birth and beauty was allowed this honor. It was then carried in to m,‘ strains of music, followed by an u“. ladies in procession. Such ancient ceremony now belongs to l. past 33¢ But ns a feast the turkey is mm thé less appreciated, and although the music may be of the "tinned" variety peculiar to our nge, it is piobribly considerably better than that which accompanied the carving
_ m‘ the peacock.
Xmas Weather
Tf I were a. bear, And a. big bear, too. I shouldnt much cure If it froze or snew- ‘
If I were equip
'l)like the walrus is, I'd not give a rlp
If it sncw or frizz‘.
If I could grow halr
Like the raccoon does, Oh, I wouldn't stir
Though it snowed or fruz.
If I, like the moose, Were quite warm though I would be quite spruce When it friiz or snowed. -Y‘rs too-ly-
nude,
A Christmas Thought
iFroin "A Christmas Carol")
‘I have always thought of Christ- mas time, when it has come round- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that-dis ri good time; a. kind, forgiv- ing, charitable, pleasant tune; the only time I know of, in the long cal- cndni" of the year, when nien and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as ii’
they really were fellow-passengers L0,,
the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys." When he came she explained all that hi! happened. But instead of look- ing worried and mixing up some more medicine for Anne, lic said sly- ly, "Show me the bottle Anne drank the poison out of. Mrs. Barret did and then ‘Douglas gave a hearty laugh, "I pity poor Anne," he said when he had recovered," taking all that medicine for nothing. I put. the poison that was in that bottle into another one because I wanted the small one. I put an experiment of raspberry vinegar into that bottle. It it: very good for the health. I was going to tell you this morning but I ivcnt away in such o. hurry and with so many things on my mind that I forgot." Then everybody looked re- lieved and laughed. Anne feeling very brisk all of a sudden Jumped
‘up mid rim out with Ted nnd all her
friends and had a. good skate. When she came in her cheeks were pink and her eyes bright and happy. The next day Anne felt a little bit queer owing to the huge amount of medicine she had token, but. on Christmas day she was the happiest and the merrlcst of rill the family. Each one said it was tlie Jolllcst» Christmas they ever had. Anne learned a lesson iioi. to taste everything she found, nnd I think it was a very good lesson to learn, don't. you?
In Canqda at p Christmas
Tn Canada at Christmas They llne the street with trees- Christmas trees lit up at night ' With little balls of colored light As pretty as you please.
The people hurry past you In furry boots and wraps;
The sleigh: are like a. picture-book And all the big policemen look Like Teddy Bears in caps.
So if some day at Christmas You don't know where to go, Just pack your boxes up, I beg Ami start at once for Canada; You'd like it there, I know. —I'uncli
‘ THE MAGIC GLASS
Two little experiments ivhicli deni- onstratc the power of oil" pressure are quite interestlng- Take an ordin- ary drinking glass, lay it on the edge of a table open cud outwards. Pliii-e another inside it, leaving about hali- uu-lnch gap at the top. Challenge anyone of the company to remove
- the inner glass without touching it
and then proceed to do it yourself by blowing into the gap between the two glasses.
The inside glass will jump out, and if not caught: quickly, will further cle- light the audience by breaking 111 bits.
JUST LIKE SANTA CLAUS
Molly and Jack were on their way home from Sunday school on the Sunday after Christmas, where the lesson for the day had been on the power of the "evil one."
“Jackfl asked Molly, "do you really think there is a devil?"
"Rotl" said Jack scornfully, mom. orles of Christmas Evo fresh tn his intnd. “It's like Santa Olaus~ltb father."
"I do wish," observed Mildred, "that Santa Claus hiid brought mo n new doll for Christmas." But your 011! doll is as good as ever,“ her mother answered. “So 11in I as as good 11s ever," the little girl replied, “but i111‘ doctor brought you n new baby."
1RD PRIZE SENIOR DRAWING
By Cecil Gnudct
DECEMBER 2o. 1911i _..__"__
ii
fii%§a§i
2%.
1,11
f ygkk “rfQi