DECEMBEg 19. 1931 T

M

(a Yorkshire Tale)

It was Christmas Eve in the year Fourteen, And as ancient dalesmen used to tell,

The wildest winter they ever had seen, ~' With the snow lying deep on moor

, and fell.

When Wagoner John got out hi;

team,

Smller and Whitefoot, Duke and Gray

With the light in his eyes of a

young man's dream. As he thought of his wedding on New Year's Day.

To Ruth the maid with the bon- nie brown hair,

And eyes of the deepest, sunnlegt blue, Kodest and Winsome and worlds-om fair And true to her troth. for her heart was true. ‘"I'hou'r-t surely not going!"

shouted mine host;

"'I'hou‘lt be lost in the drift, es sure as thou's born,

Thy lass winnot went to wed w!‘ a ghost,

And that's what thou'lt be on the Christmas morn.

"It's eleven long miles from Skip- ton toon

To “iceberg houses 1' Washburn dale;

Thou had better turn back and sit thee doon

And comfort thy heart wi‘ a drop 0' good ale."

Turn the swallows from flying south, " Tum the vines against the sun, Herds from rivers in the drouth— Men must dare or nothing's done.

5o what cares the lover for storm

or drift

Or peril of death on the haggard way?

He sings to himself like a lark in the lift,

And the Joy in his heart turns De- cember to May.

lBut the wind from the north brings a deadly chill

Creeping into the heart-and the drifts are deep; Where the thick of the storm

strikes Blueberg hill He is weary and falls in a pleasant sleep-

And he is walking by

s‘

day) : '

Under TheSnows On The Moor‘

Tl-IOSE IRRELIGIOUS WAITS

"n; ..._.,;1_

Old Lady (Tc carol musician playing on Sun-

Wasbburn side-

Walking with Ruth on a. summer's d!“

Singing that- song to his bonnie bride,

His own wife now forever and aye;

Now read me the riddle: Ruth could hear That song of a heart in the clutch of doom . . , Steal on her ear. dhtinot and clear As if her lover was in the room.

how

And read me this riddle: how Ruth should know, As she bounds to throw open the heavy door, ‘That her lover was 10st in the drifting snow, Dying or dead, on the great white moor. , .

"Help! help!" lost! lost!" Rings thro’ the night as she rushes

away, .

Stumbling, blinded, and tempest- tost, ‘

Straight to the drift where her lo- ver lay.

And swift they leap after her into the night,

Into the drifts by Blueberg Hill,

Rldsdale and Robinson, each with ‘ a light,

To find her there holding him, white and still.

“l-Ie was dead in the drift then,"

I heard them say.

As I listened in wonder,

Forgetting to play_

Fifty years syne

Come Christmas Day.

"Nay! nay! they were wed," the dalesmen cried, "By Parson Carmalt, o‘ New Year's Dfl-Yi Bless ye, Ruth were me great-great grandsires bride, And Maister Frankland gave her away."

"But how did she find him under the snow?" They cried with a laughter touched ‘with tears. "Nay, lads," he said softly, "we ne- ver can know—" No, not if we live for a hundred years:-

"Therels a. sight o‘ thinss Ban

To the making dman."

Then I rushed to my play

With a whoop and away,

Fifty years syne

Come Christmas Day.

--Robert Collyer

“Have you forgotten the fourth command-

ment my good man?”

Street Musician: “I don't seem to remember it, but if you'll whistle a bar or two, I'll try and play

it. for you.’

. .. ~.. m -. -V p ». ~_ . a, t f f», ‘, r .-¢ R,

‘a’ a .

‘moan; J3me

It was the night before Christmas Eve and the twins were in bed fast asleep.

“Tom! May! Wake upl" called a man's voice‘ from the garden and it was so loud that the twins did wake up.

"Whoever can that be?" said Tom Jumping out of bed and popping his head out of the window. May fol- lowed and as the two children look- ed down into the moonlit garden. they were astonished to see the snowman they had made during the day. looking up at them.

"Halloa!" he shouted, "I only wanted to wish you a happy Christ- mas, because I may not be alive to- morrow."

"Thank you very much," said the twins together, "but we're not going to have a happy Christmas."

"Not going to have a happy Christmas!" echoed the snowman in a shocked voioe. “How is that?"

“Well you see," explained May, “Father is out of work and Mother says Santa. Claus isn't coming, so we sharft get any toys to play with."

“Dear me, that's very hard," said the snowman very kindly, "but you can have a happy Christmas all the same."

“How?" asked Tom in astonish- ment.

“By trying to make others hap- py, of course." Just then a gust of wind blew,the snowman down, and breaking him to pieces.

"I want you both to g0 and see how poor old Granny Hatch is this morning," said their mother, when the twins had finished breakfast.

Tom and May really wanted to build up the snowman again but

~ " CHRISTMAS

THE CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDlAN

WITHOUT]

eyes to make quite sure they were not dreaminil- >

"Yes, to Fairyland," continued the snowman, “the Fairy Queen wishes to see you but we must hurry for it 15 past eight and you must be back by nine as no child should be up late on Christmas Eve."

The twins needed no second bid- ding and in a. very short time were down in the garden. wrapped up in their warmest clothes for the night was cold.

"Shut your eyes while 1 turn you round three times," said the snow- man. The twins did as they were told and when they opened them again, they found themselves in l. strange country, outside the very gates of Fairyland!

Suddenly these gates, which were of the purest gold, opened, disclos- ing e sight more wonderful than words can tell and immediately there appeared. a little elf dressed in shining silver, who bowed low to them and bade them enter.

"Go," said the snowman as the children were afraid to follow, "and I will wait for you here."

The ell took them thromh a wind-.

lng path, pebbled with pearls, and which led up to a. crystal castle flashing all colors in the moon- light, and although the very air secmcd full of elves yet not one fairy did they see. I

When they reached the’ castle, they were escorted through var- ious apartments. each more lovely than the last and then to a. richly decorated hall, where, seated on a. throne of dazzling magnificence, was the Fairy Queen. Tom and May stood perfectly still, not daring to til she bade them come to her in a

l.» slim» see the Snowman .

being obedient children. they went off at once without grumbling and found the old woman in tears. She was expecting her son, who had been abroad for years, home that very day and here she was in bed unable to do anything.

“I've been looking forward to this day for months and meant _to have everything spic and span," she wail- ed.

The twins felt really sorry for her as they stood by the bed watching her dab her eyes until Tom sudden- ly got a bright idea.

“We'll tidyup for you, Granny. We often help Mother,” he said excitedly.

"Oh yes, do let us!" added May eagerly and without waiting for the old woman's reply, the twins rushed off in search of dusters and brooms.

Being ' only a tiny cottage, the worst of the work was done by the end of the morning, so the twins ran home in high spirits.

"We're going back to light the fire and lay the tea for Mr. Hatch" they announced as soon as they were ready to start off again.

This did not take long and when they got back, to their intense de- light, there was time to build up the snowman again before nightfall.

‘Tom! May! Wake upi" called out a man's voice from the garden. It was the snowman again and the twins awoke as before and jumped

out of bed.

“l-Ielloe!" he shouted as they pop- ped their hcads out of the window. "Get up and dress for I am going to take you to Fairyland."

"To Fairyland!" gasped out the

twins in amazement, scarcely belle-

ving their ears and rubbing their approach so wonderful a being, un-

voice that sounded like the sweet- est music.

"Little mortals," she said, "I want to reward you for your kind deeds."

Kind deeds—the twins looked puzzled, for so great was their pre- sent happiness that they could not remember anything of the past.

“Bring the Book!" commanded the Queen, turning to two elves who were standing by the throne, waiting for orders. They immediate ly flew off and returned with a large book which the Queen opened to a page which she bade the twins read. What was their astonishment when they saw. Written m letters of gold, an account of their kindness to Granny Hatch! l

The children blushed as they 1°°k9d "l! at the Queen's smiling face. "Oh, we do not want any m- ward," they said, “it made us happy to help her."

"Yes. helping others always does make 0'19 happy." said the Queen tenderly, "and that is why my 151;- lcs are not here tonight. They are flying unseen about the world, and whispering to mortals helping them to remember their friends so thug all may receive some Christmas Rift. But tell me children, what you desire most and I will grant your request."

"Oh, if only Father could get xvork, we should be the hflpplegt children in the world!" said Mgy earnestly.

“Oh, yes, agreed Tom, remember, ing his mother's anxious face, "that would be better far than anythm; we could wish for ourselves."

"Good!" said the Fairy Queen, “I shnll not forget and as long u; you; namcs are written in the 3°03 o; Good Deeds, you may fllwgyg ‘an mo on Christmas Eve."

Thrn bidding them good b", ‘h,

Spirit, of Christmas

When biting north winds sweep across crusted snow and icicles hang from every projecting eave; when hearth fires blaze cheerily, and the odor of pine, and holly and laurel is everywhere; when the larder is full of good things and the heart is ‘full of cheer-then it is Christina.

The Spirit of Christmas has ne-

ver been caught or imprisoned; ar- tists are at a. loss whether to por- tray the cheery elf as a. passenger on Santa's sleigh, a. friend of his reindeer, or in a glory and radiance that is angelic-they cannot por- tray it. Christmas is more than December 25. The turning of a ca- lendar leaf cannot bring Christmas. It is not dependent solely upon pro- fusion of good. thlngs- it is not contingent upon playtime or music or rnerriment. Christmas is more than all of these. It is a spirit of good will and friendship. When it breezes in upon us on Christmas Eve- we feel its inspiration and joy and when" it ' passes early in the New Year, we regret that it wuld not remain with us always.

Let us carry a. bit of the Christ-

mas spirit with us throughout the year.

bade the silver elf lead them back to the snowman.

"What a. time you have been!" he said good-naturedly as the gol- en gates of Fairyland closed be- hind them for another year, for, of course. the twins meant to go there again and were already hoping to have an opportunity of earning this wonderful reward.

In a few moments, Tom and May were back in their own garden, having come back in the same mys- terious manner as they had gone.

-»‘-,'I‘he snowman settled himself in his old place in the garden while the children hastened up to bed and Just as they were waving good night to him from their window, a gust of wind blew him down, breaking him to pieces, as on the night be- fore. .

The twins slept soundly for the rest of the night and when they a/woke on Christmas morning. they thought that they must still be asleep and dreaming, for at the end of each little bed was an enor- mous, well filled stocking, ‘besides all sorts of games and toys!

"I thought Santa. Claus wasn't coming!" said the children in great surprise when their mother came to call them.

“Neither did he," answered Mrs. Brown, "but someone else did, and guess who it was."

"Can't said '1‘om. “We don't know anyone rich enough to buy all these things."

"No, but you soon will, for he is coming to help you build up the snowman this afternoon!"

Mrs. Brown laughed at her chil- dren's puzzled faces. "It was Mr. Hatch, of course." she said, kissing them both. .

“When his mother told him how hard you had worked to make the place nice for him, he went right

sit‘: vvs The Elf bed Them Through a Winding Path Pebbled With Pearls

straight off to the town and than brought back as many presents as t he could carry. He is rich now and is going to buy a big house ‘with enormous grounds and your father is to be head gardener, so all our troubles are at an end." v Tom and May shouted for joy and as they hugged their mother, they rm that this was going to be the happiest Christmas they had ever known~thls Christmas with- out Santa claus.

Abhrevlating of the Word "Christ- mas" Spoils a Noble Wonderful Word

Clergymen of many of the deno-

' minations have Joined in a protest

against the abbreviation of the word "Christmas". They declare

that writing it "Xmas" is irreverent

and should not-be permitted. It is said that with one exception letters sent out to Christian leaders all brought replies in protest against the abbreviated form of using the word. If not irreverent certainly it is not good taste and spoils the appearance of one of the finest words in the whole language.

The protest is timely for many reasons. There is no occasion for abbrevlating the name of Christ. Moreover Christmas is an event that appeals to nearly all, both non believers as well as believers. It signalizes much more than a rc- llglous observance. Nearly all the world, non-Christians as well as those who observe the day as the birth of their lord and Saviour. make Christmas the occasion for good deeds. It makes a sort oz splr itual revival that affects the people of all faiths and creeds. It is the time when all mankind is drawn closer together; when selfishness is more nearly crucified than at any other period of the year; when men of all beliefs vie with each ot- ther in the doing of good deeds. Hearts are softened at this season of the year and acts that other ‘times would be quickly done, are

now. for the time being at least,

h

barred by qualms of conscience. The better and finer impulros of mankind, that cltcn during months appear to be submerged by the selfish desires of the flesh, are for a brief period in the asccndcncy. For all those reasons the word "Cl1ristmas“ is now come to bc one of the noblest and moot inspiring in the language. To the devoted followers of the lowly Nazarene 11; is the occasion for the cdcbration with pecans o!" praise and songs of thanksgiving of the coming of man's rcdecmcr; i0 the non-Cirrus- fliln it is the time of rejoicing ho- cause it proves man's humanity to man. That is why it is the most widely observed of all til:- "rm! lot- UBI” dflys in llli‘ cnlr-lurinr of 111310,

Molly: “Mummy, may I go i3 ilic pantomime this nitcrncmz?"

"My dear child, ulmt an idCil! Fancy wanting to go to a Dailie- mime when your Aunt Prunclla is here.

The Great Yule Feast

December 25 “as chasm for" the celebration of Christ's birth probab- ly because it was the dzlic oi the great Yule least, when 1111113’ 17231111 countries cclcbratccl illl‘ the shortest day in the yo

THE C YNI CS

Continued from Page ll

told me. “People have given us tar more than we ran possibly eat. this Christmas . . . . I'\'-; been having horrible visions of stale food clutter- ing up the house for weeks . . . ."

Well, she found me a small ham, a large iced cake, two boxes of dates and some crystaliscd fruits. She also found some old woolly vests of the baby's, a half worn Teddybear and a brand new mechanical train. This sounds a lot, but paroelled up it is not too bad. And it was not half a. mile to Bodkin! Buildings, where I knew Mrs. Mawkins resided. And, blessed of all things, I found a. taxi! l arrived on ‘Mrs. Mawkins doorstep after many enquiries, flushed, and very out of breath, and there I stop- ped, for as people say you could have quite literally knocked me down with a feather.

For there also on the step, ob- vlously onthe same errand was my fcllow Christmas-hatcr-Dicky!

From somewhere Dicky had ob-

apple. Jake Lambert war. 'l. . .» rather worried looking l..’.l:- hang up some colourccl p11 mas clm 1irat1ons. Mrs. M“ a. pale young woman, i.‘ 1 . dnugdltcr Rose, were ll: .fl..l‘_ 1 .. tractive little girl of about new and very frilly party ill'f‘.:>——i:ll(l Manica. was sitting in the nvwlclinll‘ nursing the baby! It “'11s Loo min-ii . . .' . it was more than \'.‘c m-uicl

stand . . . . we put our h s (l.l\‘.ll on the floor and gave oilrscirvs; up to laughter.

We did have a good lune. We put and Dicky wont out our‘ cot two bot- up the decorations and alu- 1lll.§'.:i um tics of port. We all stayed to n cold supper of Dicky's turkey, and mv goodness, didn't those two lllcltllvs and their parents and grrmdur barge into that mcul. . really have thought that they hadn't had a square men! for months al- though the falhcr, his rmmo was Herb, had only been out of work n. fortnight. Jake thought llC would be able tn errt him a job, :40 w» "ill

_ told me afterwards lie went to the

Smithson-Parker's who were having

a children's party and had bribed

the butler to steal it for him. He also said afterwards that it did his heart good to steal something from Tommy Smithson-Parker, "the fat, spoiled brat!"

He had a. cold roast turkey, a box

' of bon-bons, u sprig of mistletoe and

e. largish box of tnngorlucs.

"My god!’ he said tlicatricnlly. "Have you come all over Christmas- Carol-cum - Pickwick - Papers too? Drat this Mawklns woman, ses I. Where is the Fat Boy and the spin- ster Aunt? Fetch mo. a gallon of punch and a burning pudding, for alas, I amsteepcd in tlic Christmas spirit!"

“I love you." I said-oil enthusias- tically and Just like that, and he blushed like anything and i011! mo io shut '

We knocked. The door opened on to a small, meanly fumishrd ‘kitchen. We were aware of an aspidistrn and some hectically gilded vosss. ‘Ihm we gasped.

On the table was a pile oi Chrlst- messy looking eatablcs anal a. small bay with a turn-up nose who was busy pulling away a. largo si ed la. l,"

‘<'-~.\=:- :~==.-~-e:~-- * *-1:. ‘Tis-‘uhierrtwstrkyfi

he'd get them nil scam for" a 114m- tomlmc somctimc, so we all drank Dicky‘s lrcaltli . . . then ltlouica and I put the baby to bed . . . and finally Dicky said that he lizuvd m admit it, and he despised -- Kw! ~ wiw urre obvious, but he iii-night. tlicrz: seemed to be something in Chris'- mas alter all.

"Well, sir," said l\l1"s. Alrnvklns. clu- flnitely. "It's like lllln‘. Chrisilzzlls is a time for the little OIiPS. If you ain't. got no kids, you can't ‘ave no Chrw- uras. We old folks can pretend to be jolly in a bu!" 1iurlour, am! we may be a bit jolly. But still, CllZl$L~ mas is thc little ‘uns time, and you gets your good time scrim‘ they ‘an:

theirs. That's Mist I says. and that's what I've allus said, and tlicmls my sentiments." She 110:!!!-

cd coutcntcdly over llcr second glnrs of port and her dour old nose hogan to shine.