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Show 7. X L We w Year Babysitter By M. D. Doherty ary Blanford knocked on the haihrnnm rinnr "John, will must you please htirry up? You get dressed, the baby sitter will be here any moment and I still r I have to powder my nose." Something resembling a grunt responded from the other side of the door Mary checked the clothing she had placed on the bed for her husband. Everything was there; shirt, tie, cuff links, socks 'Please, John, be ready so we can leave the minute the Brown girl arrives I am chairman of the New Year party, you know. I must be there on time. Where can that girl be? Mabel Sanders said that she was most reliable. She's late now. Certainly, if something has happened, she would call and tell me. John, aren't you ready to finish dressing yet?" John Blanford came through the doorway "S'ar ght, s'aright. I'll be ready before you can powder down that cute little mole on the tip of your nose. Just like and ali kazoo, magic, and I'll still be ready long before you." "O.K., then all I'll have to . worry about is the Mabel told me she was reliable, trustworthy, and punctual. Then, where is she? It's five before ." eight and Visitor The chimes of the door bell She stopped her in hurried through the livingroom and opened the front door. A pert, blonde of perhaps 16 stood there. SEASON'S GREETINGS, December 23, 1965 :m3XJ 1 !ll - & a , - baby-sitter- . . - ft 18? SOME LEGENDS OF CHRISTMAS . L - toramtjs "7?Cy you be gifted with ibe precious gifts of love, peace and understanding, during ibis holy season of Christmas. Russ Electric "Mrs. Blanford, I . . . ." "I know, child. Where in the world have you been? We're late now. Come in, come in, and put down whatever it is you are carrying there on the desk. I'll show you Chip's room and where his things are in case you should need something." "But, Mrs. Blanford, you don't . understand, I am "You're late, child, that's what you are, but it doesn't matter. Come along now, here's the room. The diapers and things you may need are there. A fresh bottle is in the refrigerator should be awaken and, I guess, that's about it. John, John, aren't you ready to go yet?" "But, Mrs. Blanford, please . . ." "No other problems, dear, I have written down the number of the club. You'll find it on the pad by the telephone. Don't hesitate to call us, but call us only if it is important. John, John, what in the world are you doing?" "I'm here, dear, at the door waiting for you, just like I said." ... All Alone The blonde girl stood there long after they were gone, mouth open. Then, she went to the phone. "Mother? Yes, it's me. I am at the Blanfords. They have gone out and I am babyI don't know sitting I'll call you when they return." She put down the phone, looked casually into the room where the Reprinted by permission of The PEN WOMAN Magazine, Dec. .... ... child was sleeping. She went into the kitchen, checked the refrigerator. The bottle was there, as promised. So were several pieces of cold chicken. The girl chose couple of choice pieces.then retired to the livingroom. Might as well enjoy herself. Maybe there was something good on TV. The Blanfords came home early as promised. shine brightly in your heart today and everyday. Northern Utah Farmers Coop BEFANA is an old lady who, according to ancient legend, lives in little hut by the side of the road. Each year at Christmastime she Imakes her annual trek across country to visit good little boys and girls of Italy who have said their prayers, eaten their pasta, and been obedient to parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Typifying the spirit of Christmas, she brings gifts and toys, an endless variety of them, and no one has ever been able to figure out how she manages this miracle, for she herself is quite poor. But this is her season and she manages quite beautifully. Sometimes she is called La Fata Madrina, the Fairy Godmother. In the little village of Rivisondoli, in Abruzzo, Italy, on the Feast of the Epiphany, January sixth, La Befana, in company with a host of her devout countrymen, becomes a part of Prcscpio I'ivcntc, a communal devotion to the live Christ Child. From all over the Italian countryside, by car, by donkey, and on foot, come the pilgrims, an g serpentine procession through the great valley. They come carrying aloft torches and tall sparkling candles, fiaccole and ceri; and the bobbing candles light up the mountain paths, casting their gleam upon the snow as the line moves forward and up, up, until it comes to the little hut made of wood and straw in which rests the beautiful new Mother with her Infant Babe. There is a cow there, and sheep, all alive and breathing the sweet mountain air as they await the Magi, bearing gifts. But here these will not be the traditional gold, frankincense, and myrrh; they will instead be practical gifts, baskets of food and tante belle cose, many pretty things, which later will be distributed among the poor. Throughout the year a diligent search is made to find the prettiest girl to represent Mary in this most beloved of ceremonies ,and the newest baby born in the village usually portrays the Christ Child. The magic that is in the air this holy night reaches out to the crippled, the sick, and the heavy of heart and seems to bring to them a measure of peace, to lighten their load; and it renews their faith in the symbolic star shining above this mountain a real star, not one made of electric light and tinsel. The star seems to shine with a special brilliance on the old tableau that is ever new, and on the people who have come to this place in faith and in humility to pay their humble respects to the King of Kings. Afterwards, at midnight, when the children, tired, excited, and happy, are finally asleep in their beds, La Befana comes softly in the night, with her little bell and hoc bag full of pretties for the children, who, like children everywhere, believe in this magic, as they should. For La Befana, if she would speak, would surely echo the ancient words of Cicero: "In nothing do men more nearly approach the gods than in doing good to their fellow men." a ever-windin- Wo- -' .. by Marion Benasutti "Where in the world have you been? You're late." o vi S May the true spirit of the first Christmas 149re wish voir all at this time of vear A plentiful measure of Yuletide cheer! Van's Drive-I- n .r f (JHRisTMas ! JOV K Jlere's ife 5 honing Santa leaves all the dreams of our loyal patrons in bright array beneath their Christmas trees. A hearty "thank you" to you all! 1965. a Early Roman Had 'Practical' View Exit The girl, coat in hand, was On Gift Giving al- ready at the front door. She said "good night", and was gone. Mary Blanford looked at her husband. "How odd oh, well." She picked up the note. "John, listen to this: 'telephone call, 8:10 P.M. from Jean Brown. Sorry, mother sick, cannot babysit. Unable to call sooner. P.S. : Your Jane Cantley, r your NEW neighbor who really came to borrow a cup of sugar. Hope you had a gay evening and a most Happy New Year to you." "Christmas is getting too commercial!" .... M Ckisfim. we're taking this joyous time to wish our fine customers all the best of the holiday and to express thanks for your patronage. 50 May the bless- This modern complaint, while it may have force, is somewhat lacking in originality. "I hate the crafty arts of giving presents," said the witty Roman poet Martial, who lived and wrote from about 40 to 104 A.D. "Gifts are like hooks." baby-sitter- ings of Christmas be yours during this holy season and may they continue long F. P. Nielson & Sons, Ltd. into the future. J. J. White Holda u Santa - Blacksmith next-doo- Source of Song Among the well-love- d Christmas hymns is "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." The words to this one were written by a Unitarian minister of Weston, Mass., named Edmund H. Sears. Time? Just about a hundred years ago, says the Book of Knowledge. One melody for this hymn was composed by a Detroit journalist and editor; another melody was adapted from an old British folk tune by a composer better known for hi; long string of operetta hits. This was Sii Arthur Sullivan, of the tearr of Gilbert and Sullivan. light-heart- (beelrags His complaint was expressed in a series of poems written foi a wealthy patron, at the time of the Saturnalia, the pagan festival from which came many Christmas customs. Martial, however, was not always averse to presents. After listing a large number oi small gifts, such as toothpicks figs, napkins, which had been delivered to him, he pointed out that it would have been much easier for the messenger to bring him "five pounds of silver plate." " - Adam'j Drug ec is here to wish you all good cheer, and so are we! We're hoping that all of the greatest holiday gifts are yours. the "heavenly peace" of that first Christmas night descend upon the world, bringing to everyone the joy and happiness that comes with a contented heart. tfae Ji A rf SjMit f r-- May the world rejoice again in the spirit of (he season. hristmas is the perfect time to count our many, many blessings. High on our list is the confidence and good will you've showed us. So to you, our patrons, we're extending a cheerful, hearty holiday "thanks." V"3 Hansen Packing Co. Buttons Fronk Chevrolet Co. & Bolts Valley Hospital |