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Show the state "Well not have an Imitation e tree this year. 11111 year we are going to the wood! and get a real or park premises? make-believ- store-boug- tree" Sara Laurence busy putting a pie into the oven, gave no evidence ihe had heard her husband'i declaration. Sam was Insistent "What do you think of that, Sal, ole gal Sara wiped her hands on her apron. "And, just where do you plan to get this tree? Off r ht We were well Into the coun- try when dad pulled the car on the road and leaned out (S Du it us Qm as Season's the window to Inspect a nearby hillside "Aha, 1 see two or three good trees. Let's go, gang. Mother hesitated. "Sam, I dont think "O.K., worrisome You stay and watch the car." Dad started up the hillside, Billy and myself not far behind. Dad looked over a couple of trees. "Ones too small. One's a little flat on one side. Theres the one we want" He stopped before the tree, looked It over, and walked carefully around It His axe was poised when the gruff voice said, "Hold It, there. Mister." We didn't know If he had been there all the time or had ust come over the brow of the till. But there he was. A big man, with a big shotgun cradled In his arms. Dad was almost speechless. "I . . . I . . . The klas wanted a real Christmas tree. I didnt I mean . . . know The man pointed over the hill with the shotgun. "Walk up that way." Dad hesitated. "Maybe we had better go. Mother's waiting In the car. She might worry, and . . ." The man pointed again. "Walk." We walked. Over the top of the hill and down a lane leading toward a neat frame house nestled among the trees. ..." toward a nearby tree, perfectly shaped, prettier than any we had seen on the hillside. "Take that one," he said gruffly. Dad looked puzzled. "Well, really now, 1 think "Take the tree," the man Insisted. Dad began cutting the tree and the man continued. "Next year, ask someone about cutting a tree. A man likes to keep his hillside trees. They prevent erosion." He patted me and Billy on the head as he went by. "Merry Christmas, boys. Dad didn't waste any time cutting down that tree and we went back down that hill pretty ..." fast Mother didnt say anything until we had loaded the tree and were headed homeward. "I see you got away with It," she said, there, the man stopped. He pointed the gun Donncvillc Motors MAY IT ABOUND WITH GOOD CHEER AND HAPPINESSI Clyde Gibson Tire We hope that this most Happiest of times will 'Log' up .to be the Chemest for you. We wish our friends BTC?. and patrons a very merry Christmas . . . may your holidays . We hope Christmas is joyful for you! ring with good cheer and plenty! ; ' v.V - t. ' F(Gfl5G I?0i?mnOi?e let usi abort n tm, Cfyrtet tf)t Xorb! Gordons Mens Shop Our very a o Dairy Queen tooele 324 North Main best holiday wishes to you Sparks TV OK Tire Store It's our favorite time if when we have year the opportunity of wishing all our good friends a very merry Christmas! Tate Mortuary and Ajax Corporation I SSI f IWWS - . -- -- - ' matter-of-factl- Dad cleared his throat. "Sure, but I got to thinking that, In a way, youre right. Next year well ask permission if we plan to get, a real out- door tree. It occurred to me that a farmer might be partial to a particular tree, specially a hillside tree. You know, con- servation and erosion, and that sort of stuff. Right, boys?" " Right," we both responded. And, it being Christmas and all, we felt there just wasnt any reason to say anything else. ... Halfway Greetings To You and Yours I Do you know any landowners around here? Somebody giving away free trees, for the taking?" Sam laughed. "Im just talking abouttree.one little old There are Christmas woods all over the place a few miles out of town. Who'll scream If someone cuts one little old tree? 1 didn't know what a tree was when I was a youngster." "Times have changed," Sara reminded. "Except for the state park, land Is privately owned. What would the owners think and do If everybody In town came out Just to get one little old tree" t i . ! |