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Show 4A Emery County Progress Wednesday, December 24, 1980 Emery 1 County A ruined Christmas?? This story is reprinted from the Especially for Mormons Volumne 1. For years now whenever Christmas pageants are talked about in a certain little town in the Midwest, someone is sure to mention the name of Wallace Purling. Wallys performance in one annual production of the Nativity Play has slipped into the realm of legend. who were in the audience that night never But the tire of recalling exactly what happened. Wally was nine that year and in the second grade, though he should have been in the fourth. Most people knew that he had difficulty in keeping up. He was big and clumsy, slow in movement and mind. Still, Wally was well liked by the other children in his class, all of whom were smaller than he, though the boys had trouble hiding their irritation when Wally would ask to play ball with them or any game, for that matter, in which winning was old-time- rs important. Most often theyd find a way to keep him out but Wally would hang around anyway not sulking, just hoping. He was always a helpful boy, a willing and smiling one, and the natural protector, paradoxically, of the underdog. Sometimes if the older boys chased the younger ones away, it would always be Wally whod say, Cant they stay? Theyre no bother. Wally fancied the idea of being a shepherd with a flute in the Christmas pageant that year, but the plays director, Miss Lambard, assigned him to a more important role. After all, she reasoned, the Innkeeper did not have too many lines, and Wallys size would make his refusal of lodging to Joseph more forceful. And so it happened that the usual large, partisan audience gathered for the towns yearly extravaganza of crooks and creches, of beards, crowns, halos and a whole stageful of squeaky voices. No one on stage or off was more caught up in the magic of the night than Wallace Purling. They said later that he stood in the wings and watched the performance with such fascination that from time to time Miss Lambard had to make sure he did not wander on stage before his cue. Then came the time when Joseph appeared, slowly, tenderly guiding Mary to the door of the inn. Joseph knocked hard on the wooden door set into the painted backdrop. Wally the Innkeeper was there, waiting. What do you want? Wally said, swinging the door open with a brusque gesture. We seek lodging. Seek it elsewhere. Wally looked straight ahead but spoke vigorously. The inn is filled. Sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary. There is no room in this inn for you. Wally looked properly stern. Please, good innkeeper, this is my wife, Mary. She is heavy with child and needs a place to rest. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired. Now for the first time, the Innkeeper relaxed his stiff stance and looked down at Mary. With that, there was a long pause, long enough to make the audience a bit tense with em- off the cuff What's Up, Doc? barrassment. by jim olsen No! Begone! the prompter whispered from the wings. No Wally repeated automatically. Begone ! ! Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary and Mary laid her head upon her husbands shoulder and the two of them started to move away. The Innkeeper did not return inside the inn, however. Wally stood there in the doorway patching the forlorn couple. His mouth was open, his brow creased with concern, his eyes filling unmistakably with tears. And suddenly this Christmas pageant became different from all others. Dont go, Joseph, Wally called out. Bring Mary back. And Wallace Purlings face grew into a bright smile. You can have MY room. Some people in town thought that the pageant had been ruined. Yet there were others who many, many others considered it the most Christmas of all Christmas pageants they had ever seen. paign. Thank you Band Students and We extend thanks and Seasons Greetings Instructors: Dennis Bacon to all. Our students Tim Farr and instructors are KcidFehlburg grateful to all the Band Boosters ladies who helped us ; wish had the Sometimes memory of an elephant instead of the body of one! I have been thinking all week of how would write this year's And 'cuff Christmas wish'. then it finally hits me. But by time get to my terminal, my mind is blank. Sometimes it reminds me of the saying that often appears on public rest room walls. Oh well, here goes a stab at Itl Roses are redish, Violets are blueish. If It weren't for Christmas, We'd all be Jewish. How's that attempt at Christmas poetry? It Isn't original with me. A missionary companion told It to me. But If you really think about the message of the poem, you will see how true a statement It Is. I I I I Give and Ye Shall Receive Tin better to give than - but receiveits still a pleamire to receive! Some gift Kivers who choose u enmeru aa a holiday present this year will receive a bonua from the and our parents for their support. The Tom Watt manufacturer school bands wish to thank the people and Christmas order is rehale, businesses of Emery now here. If yours has County who so not been delivered, willingly gave us please call the band support in our recent student who took your fund raising cam- order. Dear Editor The Emery County a apecial ( admit that Christmas has gotten so tinsel coated that I will a lot of the beauty of the gift giving and glow of love gets lost in all the push and shove. That Is the sad part of this holiday. A gift that'i Santa Claus, as a tool of a cam give era, get a rebate! teaching children about giving A IfliTi rebate la bcniK ofgifts without expecting gifts, fered oil the purihaae of the has rich possibilities. But If the Ilfimm Mmillhi Xi re flea (Sl.ll) camera. child learns about gifts, without twice-bleate- d : I mngle-len- 'H 9' t : ' Gift fdcas Dear Editor, I s f I learning about the great gift ! V being honored at the time, it is all for naught. I It doesn't matter if you are a Latter Day Saint, Catholic, I Baptist, Methodist or a V member of more than 700 Christian denominations in the world, there Is a focal point for this holiday. One that is observed around the world. f It touches the gift of a beloved Father who gave his son to us to show us the way that we might return to live If you have a runny nose, aches, with him. This gift was given shakes and are losing your and with love. As all gifts should be. while those around you are voice My wife and have a you undoubtedly losing tradition a Christmas time. We have thetheirs, local bug, the common write each other letters telling cold. of our love and affection for Your misery, usually drives you each other. We hang It on the to seek succor and sympathy from tree and open them on family, friends, or your doctor. If Christmas day. This, to me, Is your problem isnt persistent, isnt the most beautiful gift receive associated with unusual symptoms, and Isnt settling into a all day long. single location such as the throat, If you are getting together ears, or sinuses, you need only with your family, friends and patience and home treatment. IIow long will it last? Ask your workmates this year, let them friends. Each of the many viruses know that you care, and are which causes upper respiratory their freind. Probably one of has its own incubation the most precious gifts one can sumptoms period, group of symptoms, and have are friends. duration. Find out what is going MERRY CHRISTMAS around, there is a good chance that EMERY COUNTYI you have the same problem. 'lli f T ; ; i i f f i Wi . Y; I 4 y-- X V" 7 iAI common cold I I av " 4 . c. Take two aspirin and call me ir the morning. This familial does not mean phrase neglect oi lack of sympathy for youi problem. Aspirin is the best available medicine for the fevei and muscular aches of the com mon cold. For adults, two five-gra- h aspirin tablets every four hours L standard treatment. The fever aches, and prostration are mos pronounced in the afternoon an evening; be particularly sure t take the aspirin tablets regularl; over this period. If you have trouble toleratinj aspirin, use acetaminophei (Tylenol) In the same dose. Th cheapest brand of aspirin works a well as the most expensive. Drink a lot of liquids. This i (Continued on Page 5A) |