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Show THE LEW SUN. LEW." UTAH arrious Writer Save Most Unusual 'Christmas Gift' in All History i oo I Robert Louis Stevenson "Bequeathed" His November 13 Birthday to a Little Girl n New England Who Was Thus Was "Cheated Out Thus ELMO SCOTT WATSON ,0rTY-SEVEN years 8o Henry Clay Ide, a irmont lawyer who had i various public offices in Green Mountain state, appointed American issioner in the Samoan X 0 ys, then held jointly by t united States, ureal Lin and Germany. It not a very important t Kiit it hppamp iomu"c first link in a chain- of umstances which resulted nf thp most unusual 0HC " ftristmas gifts" in all his- de's wife and two (laugh- Is did not accompany him W he went to Samoa but Lined in their Vermont ffle, Among the residents Samoa Ide found a famous liter who had become a liuntary exile there for the ijefit of his health. This p Robert Louis Stevenson, ISior of "Treasure Island," idnaped" and a number of Her books which have be lt e English classics. pie and Stevenson became jan mends, uuring a conver-lion conver-lion one day about the coming istmas holidays the American Id the Englishman that he had tie daughter, Annie, back in f ANNIE IDE COCKRAN -mont who was always unify un-ify at Christmas time because ;fhad been born on December fnd thus was "cheated out of birthday party like the other Mren have." Although he and i.wife tried to compensate for i by giving her more than the il number of Christmas pres-3, pres-3, Annie continued to mourn j her lack of a"real birth-!" birth-!" thereupon Stevenson sat down j wrote out the following readable re-adable document: 'I, Robert Louis Stevenson, livocate of the Scots Bar, au- i Moral Emblems, stuck civil Tneer, sole owner and pat-See pat-See of the Palace of Plantation iwn as Vallima, in the Island !.Upolu, Samoa, a British sub- 3, being in sound mind, and f'ty well, I thank you, in body: "In consideration that Miss An- H. Ide, daughter of H. C. 4, in the Town of Saint Johns-Jry, Johns-Jry, in the County of Caledonia, J the State of Vermont, United TOS of America, was born, out p reason, upon Christmas Day, is therefore out of all iustiee Ued in consolation and profit a proper birthday: f'inA 1 : . il A T Al If i Robert Louis Stevenson, I 'e attained the age when, O, never mention it, and that I - hip xui uic.1 uac ivi a unday of any description: i ana in consideration that I ? i Annie H. Ide, and found him ut as white a land commis- i 3 as I require, ! Bare transferred, and do rby transfer, to the said Annie j Ide all and whole my rights ffis i . . I ' ui iNovember, tormeriy my ; i Way, now hereby and hence- J . the birthday of the said !" H. Ide, to have, to hold, i rcise and enjoy the same in i customary manner, by the aj. . j J 'amg of fine raiment, eating 1 "lh meats and receipt of gifts, I Plments and copies of verse, i -JrQing to the manner of bur I osiors: And I dirfrt thi caul Anni We to add to the said name ann!e H. Ide the name of Lou- , "$'1 .v " r . :V j - i I ! h "at least in private and I Unhappy Because She Had Been Born on December 25 and of a Birthday Party Like All the Other Children Have." Western Newspaper Union. , I . V J F ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, famous author who "willed" his birthday birth-day as a Christmas gift to a little girl in New England. charge her to use my said birthday birth-day with moderation and humanity, human-ity, et tanquam bona filia fami-liae, fami-liae, the said birthday not being as young as it once was, and having hav-ing carried me in a very satisfactory satis-factory manner since I can remember. re-member. "And in case the said Annie H. Ide shall neglect or contravene contra-vene either of the above conditions, condi-tions, I hereby revoke the donation dona-tion and transfer my rights in the said birthday to the President of the United States of America for the time being. "In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal in the year of grace eighteen hundred hun-dred and ninety-one. "ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON" After having this document witnessed by his friends, Lloyd Osbourne and Harold Watts, Stevenson Ste-venson gave it to Ide who sent it with a letter of explanation to his wife. On the morning of December De-cember 25, 1391, little Annie Ide walked slowly into the room where a Christmas tree was laden with presents for her and her sister. As usual, she was brooding over her "lost birthday." birth-day." But her mood soon changed when her mother handed her the "deed of gift" which was hanging hang-ing on the tree and explained its meaning to her. Thanks to the famous Robert Louis Stevenson she now had a "birthday of her very own" and its celebration would not be overshadowed by the celebration of Christmas. Little Annie immediately wrote a letter of thanks to Stevenson and sent with it photographs and drawings of herself. In acknowledging acknowl-edging her letter Stevenson explained ex-plained to her how her "new birthday" would work. He wrote : "You are thus become a month and twelve days younger than you were, but will go on growing older for the future in the regular reg-ular and human manner from one thirteenth of November to the next. The effect on me is more doubtful; I may, as you suggest, live forever, I might, on the other hand, come to pieces like the one-horse one-horse shay at a moment's notice ; doubtless the step is risky, but I do not in the least regret that 'W ill WlltV which enables me to sign my self your revered and delighted name-father.' Two years later Mrs. Ide took her two daughters to Samoa to join their father. They arrived on November 12 and were met by Ide and Stevenson. The next day, being little Annie s "new birthday," she was a guest at a huge feast which the natives had arranged for Stevenson in honor of his birthday which he, unknown un-known to them, had "willed" to ri tifY tins i ' WFfi V the little American girl. She sat beside him at the end of the native na-tive dais and received many fine gifts. The next year the event was repeated and there was a dinner party in the evening besides. The famous author enjoyed the occasion occa-sion as much as did the little girl. But that was their last dual celebration for Stevenson died on December 3, 1894. Annie Ide, however, continued to carry out faithfully the conditions of the birthday deed "by the sporting of fine raiment, eating of rich meats and receipt of gifts." Even after she became a woman wom-an and married W. Bourke Cock-ran, Cock-ran, famous New York political leader and congressman, she con- I , f,, is. , I- , , s! sfS- 1 PRINCE EDWARD tinued to observe the "birthday" which Stevenson had willed to her. Stevenson proved to be a good prophet for her husband was a wealthy man, and in their lux urious home at Port Washington, Long Island, she received her gifts of costly jewelry and ar rayed herself in her "fine raiment" rai-ment" of Paris gowns. Last year, Mrs. Cockran de cided that she had enjoyed more than her share of the unique Christmas present which Steven son had "willed" to her. So, in stead of letting it revert to the President of the United States, as Stevenson had whimsically sug gested would be done if she should "neglect or contravene the provisions of his will, she passed the birthday along to her niece, Anita Leslie, a well-known British author who is the daugh ter of Shane Leslie, Irish poet, novelist and dramatist, and Mar- jorie Ide Leslie, sister of Annie Ide Cockran. If ever Miss Leslie decides that she no longer wishes to keep Ste venson's "gift birthday," there are several notables, born on December De-cember 25, who would doubtless welcome it. It would be especial ly fitting, perhaps, if she con ferred it upon a little boy who is "out of all justice denied in consolation con-solation and profit of a proper birthday" even though he is scion of royalty. That little boy is Prince Edward, the young son of the duke and duchess of Kent, Or she might pass it along to another member of the royal house of her native England-young England-young Prince Edward's aunt, the duchess of Gloucester. Some other oth-er notables born on Decern ber 25 are Evangeline Booth, world' "imanJer of the Salva tion Army; Helen Twelvetrees, actress; Rebecca West, novelist Gladys Swarthout, opera singer Robert L. Ripley, the "Believe It or Not" man; Paul Manship sculptor; Belle Baker, singer, and Jerry Rodman, six-day bicycle racer. Six years after the little clrl in Vermont had been made happy by Robert Louis Stevenson, Steven-son, who "willed" her his birthday, birth-day, another little girl in New York city was also made happy by a writer, but in a different way. One day in September. 1897, there came to the office of the New York Sun this letter: Thereupon Francis P. Church, an editorial writer, wrote a re ply which was printed as an editorial edi-torial in the Sun on September 21, 1897. It said: IS THERE A SANTA CLAUS? We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great grati fication that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of the Sun: Dear Editor I am eight years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says: "If you see it in the Sun it's so." Please tell me the truth; "is there a Santa Claus?" Virginia O'Hanlon. Virgina, your little friends are wrong. They have been aitectea by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or little children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence ca pable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as drear as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable tol-erable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus? You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming com-ing down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? OI course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen ana unseeaDie in ine world. You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, fan-cy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain ana view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus? Thank God! he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. A "Newspaper Classic." Around Christmas time, the next year after this editorial appeared ap-peared in the Sun, that newspaper newspa-per began receiving requests from its readers: "Please reprint the editorial called 'Is There a Santa Claus?' " Each year thereafter there-after it received the same request re-quest and each year the editorial was reprinted in the columns of the Sun. More than that, it was reprinted reprint-ed in other newspapers which also received the same request annually. It became a "Newspaper "News-paper Classic," which has been reproduced thousands of times during the 40 years that have elapsed since it first appeared, and it has been translated into many foreign languages even the Chinese! Next to Clement C. Moore's poem, "A Visit From St. Nicholas" Nich-olas" (also called "The Night Before Be-fore Christmas"), this editorial is probably the best known bit of writing associated with Christmas ever produced in America and it seems destined, like Santa Claus, to "live forever." EXPRESSION STUDIES- For Real Christmas Spirit Take Youngsters Shopping s'jV- s-s,V W " -SB - " SS A -w,:.N T- .i : S " 1 , .J, s ..Ht' .. I In Santa Claus' court at one of America's big department stores a fast photographer caught these candid can-did shots of youthful shoppers going about their business. They're pictures pic-tures you might find in any store in the country this time of the year. Santa Won't Miss 'Farthest North' U. S. Community PENASSE, MINN. Youngsters living in this isolated community are quite confident Santa Claus won't pass them by this Christmas. Pen-asse, Pen-asse, you see, is St. Nicholas' first stop in the United States, and the farthest north point in the nation. The bewhiskered gentleman abandons aban-dons bis reindeer before he reaches Penasse each year, because the deep snow usually hampers even those Sturdy steeds. He travels by ski-equipped airplane, flown to the isolated village twice each week from Warroad. Penasse' s only other visitor in the winter is Indiana Pete, a trapper living on a nearby island In the Lake of the Woods. The postmistress postmis-tress is Miss Helen Arnold, twenty-two, twenty-two, who admits business isn't very rushing even at Christmas time. Ointment Named in Bible Is Extracted from Shrub Native to United States America shares with the Holy Land the small plant from which comes the oil that recalls to mind events of 19 centuries ago, when the glories of the first Christmas eve were revealed to shepherds on Bethlehem's Beth-lehem's hills. From this plant, which abounds in Minnesota's north woods and other oth-er places in the United States, is taken spikenard, highly-perfumed ointment referred to in the King James version of the Bible as used to anoint the feet of Jesus. So this small, unassuming plant played a small part in events which gave us Christmas, most cheerful holiday of nations. Northern Outposts Await Planes With . Christmas Parcels EDMONDTON, ALBERTA. A1- most forgotten by millions of Canadian Cana-dian and American Christmas celebrants cele-brants are residents of far-flung outposts out-posts of the Canadian northwest territories. Each year they look for ward to a merry Christmas if the weather is good and parcels arrive by plane in time for the annual celebration. Christmas express and provisions usually reach Adkavik, 1,480 miles northwest of Edmonton, a few days before Christmas. Another far-away place is Coppermine, 1,100 miles north of Edmonton on Coronation gulf. Pilot Marlowe Kennedy makes the trip to that outpost from Port Radium on Great Bear lake. But even though Christmas provisions pro-visions don't come through by airplane, air-plane, residents" of the arctic wastelands waste-lands are brought to civilization's very door each Yuletide through the magic of radio. Community Christmas Trees Tn many American communities "civic" Christmas trees are erected arh December in the main square nr street and the town's Yule ac tivities center there. Many com munities also string colored lights nlnni? the streets during the season to accentuate the holiday spirit txc,t-iw the liehtine of the commu nity tree or the special street lights is accompanied by a ceremony in-onmiratins in-onmiratins the Christmas shopping season. Lights are removed imme diately after New Year s uay. I 7 1 f V, sssss , , i V A h: s - ' - St " t .vys.. .s ... , f f - SS"" --.' - ' :::V-.:. . . v.s . - . TV " s . VssXsTsSSWXssy ' s; ;s- y f v's4 ,.s....l si 'V" ss, s ' ii irtfniaWftriJ-Trflfirlt Fateful Meeting By KATHRINE EDELMAN IN THE graying dusk of a December De-cember afternoon the slowly moving figure seemed almost a part of the landscape. Half a dozen cars whizzed by but not one stopped to offer him a lift or ask where he was going. If the Spirit of Christmas, Christ-mas, of kindness, was abroad, it was surely passing him up. Ten minutes more of plodding through the chill, darkening air, and another car came roaring down the road, passing him by as the others had done. The grim lines around his mouth grew deeper, then he heard a loud grinding of brakes. 'Almost passed you up," a gay voice cried. "Pretty fine of you to stop for an old man." He shuffled into the va cant seat as he spoke. "Oh, that s nothing," the gay voice was a bit embarrassed. "But I did almost pass you up. With this Christmas business, and the rush and hurry, one could pass up their own mother." "I like to hear you say that It's what I've always believed. The fact AN UNUSUAL STORY FOR CHRISTMAS is, I was making a bit of a test todayhad to-dayhad a bet with a friend about it What's your name?" "The name is Tod Jenkins. I'm headed for St Louis going home to spend Christmas with mother. graduated in engineering last June." "An interesting story." Tod turned to look at the old man as he spoke. He almost swung the car off the slab. "Why why you look years and years younger than I thought!" A hearty laugh sounded against the sharply rising wind. The man was speaking again. "I'm not so old. Tod," he said slowly; "I'm a long way from the old fellow you were kind enough to pick up. Yesterday we had an argument at the club. I made a bet with a fellow that I wouldn't have to walk an hour before be-fore I would find the Spirit of Christ mas. It was rather a crazy thing to do, but I happen to be rather an eccentric scientist My name is Perry Birch." "Perry Birch!" Tod s eyes wid ened in astonishment, and his foot went off the accelerator, bringing the car almost to a standstill before be-fore he went on. "Why why," he stammered, "I've been wanting to meet you all my life. I've read ev erything you've written studied your methods and work for years. In fact," his voice grew more embar rassed, "I've been hoping that some day I might follow in your footsteps. foot-steps. The biggest wish of my life is to become a scientist like you!" WNU Service. Santa Claus of the Air BOSTON. New England has an aerial Santa Claus in the person of Capt William H. Wincapaw, who annually flies from West Quoddy Head to New York city, dropping Christmas packages to isolated lighthouse keepers en route. Wincapaw Win-capaw started the service 10 years ago and is now aided by his son. Bill Jr., who handles "target work" over each lighthouse. The captain dives low over the lonely outpost and yells, "Let 'er go!" and Bill hurls the bundle out the window. Make This Useful Bag on a Hanger By RUTH WYETII SPEARS THIS bag has been a great success. suc-cess. Several others can be made for different purposes. They are good to hang in the closet or the sewing room for patterns or small equipment. When traveling I find a little bigger one perfect for laundry. The size shown here requires yard of bright ticking. You will notice in the sketch that French seams are used. This makes the first stitching of the COATflicuT off vrwmrmMZS O RIGHT 4IDS 4 ftiaaaUl '-F0LD STITCH AND 5 TR1M RIGHT ilfiC MAKE SECOND STITCHING OF FRENCH SEAM 6 PLACE HANGER INSIDE ' ' seams on the right side. Trim close to this stitching, turn the bag inside out and stitch the seams again so that the raw edges are covered. Punch a small hole in the center top for the hanger hook. Clip today's lesson and add it to the many gift suggestions contained in the books offered be low. NOTE: Mrs. Spears' Book 2 Gifts, Novelties and Embroidery, has helped thousands of women to use odds and ends of materials and their spare time to make things to sell and to use. Book 1 Sewing, for the Home Decorator, is full of inspiration for every homemaker. These books make delightful Christmas gifts. Mrs. Spears will autograph them on request. re-quest. Books are 25 cents each. Crazypatch quilt leaflet is included free with every order for both books. Address: Mrs. Spears, 210 S. Desplaines St., Chicago, 111. Before and After Robinson I think a sharp nose usually indicates curiosity. Brown And a flattened one may indicate too much. Customer (to head waiter) Just as a matter of curiosity, did the waiter who took my order leave any family? Topsy Turvy World Customer Isn't the price rather rath-er high for such a little pillow? Shop Assistant Well, you see, madam, down is now up. AT CODFISH BALL "You say he belongs to the codfish cod-fish aristocracy. Where did you meet him?" "At the fish ball, of course!" The Guide Yes, it must be over a thousand years old. You can take it from me they don't build such ancient castles nowadays. It's a Dress "My wife is very busy. She's going go-ing to address the women's club." "I suppose she's working on the address." "No, the dress." OUT OF S0RIS? Her is Amazing Relief for Conditions Ous to Sluggish Bowel Vf , w yy j If you think all laxatives BTPi'ir1' '- Bo mild, thorough, re- lreiiuing, Invigorating. Dependably relief Irom tick headaches, bUloul (pella, tued teellng When ainoelated with constipation- Without Risk SESAi Make the test then II not delighted, return the box to us. Ws will pArunn r.hM Durco&M mmws price. Thafe fair. jT7IT:tio-Get jT7IT:tio-Get MB Tablet today. B f f ..1V. - QUICK RELIEF FOR ACID INDIGESTION WAT YOU can depend on the) special sals the) merchants of our town announce in the columns of this paper. They mean money saving to our readers. It always pays to patronize the merchants who advertise. They art) not afraid of their merchandise mer-chandise or their prices. THE SPECIALS ALWAYS OIIRT |