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Show A TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY In the upper end of a little valley having a tendency to slope In a southerly south-erly direction and being bordered on the east by high mountains while on the westward rolling hills slope downward to the little river that slowly winds its way down its brush lined bed, lies a quaint little town of which good reports have always been heard in relation to the thrift, moral standing and public spirited disposition disposi-tion of its inhabitants. In the early years of its colonization coloniza-tion many enterprises to be accomplished, accom-plished, such as the building of roads in vale and mountains, canals, ditches, ditch-es, fencing, schools and churches, a fort for protection against the hostile Indians, required the co-operation of every inhabitant, young and old. Many of these people having come from the different countries of the "Old World" had still in their hearts and at different seasons springing up fresh in their memories, the many pleasant festals they had enjbyed in by-gone years in their native lands, and among these was certainly Christmas Christ-mas most endeared to them all. In time some who had cortc from th, north of Europe decided upon having a regular old-fashionedd Christmas time with Christmas tree to gladden the hearts of the children, and accompanied ac-companied by the then usual feast of fat things. The whole population was so pleased with this new idea old as it indeed was that it was repeated repeat-ed as an absolutely necessary event year after year. Among the good people of this lit-le lit-le truly Christian town, lived a family fam-ily who had fully shared in the many hardships and privations incident to colonizing a desert and trying by force of hard labor to make it "blossom "blos-som as the rose." The head of this family was an "all-around man" or, as some would call it, "a jack of all trades." He made an honest living by the various uses of his brain and hands, but his income was not much above his expense on account of his not very small famify of lovely children. child-ren. He was ever .ready and willing to lend his services to the good of the community. His good wife was one of those noble women of whom the title of "ministering angels" would be very befitting. Having now s'pent most of her married life enduring privation of different kinds and having safely passed through the trying ordeal of giving birth to ten children of whom 9 were yet alive; she was still of a cheerful disposition disposi-tion and held in high esteem by every one. Well, the holiday season was at hand, and everybody was preparing to have a good time. The children in anticipation of the glorious Christmas Christ-mas tree loaded as it usually was to its utmost capacity with toys and other presents for pupils and teachers of the then only Sunday School, delightfully de-lightfully trimmed with glittering bands and lighted wax candles of various hues could scarcely; think or talk of anything else but the glorious treat, which now was so near at hand. The distribution of the presents generally occupied 2 hours so the time of the gathering was set at about 6:30 p. m. Before that time numerous prattling voices were heard in merry glee around the old meeting house where the event was to come off, and when at the appointed time the door was opened there1 was a general rush for the front where It almost needed a dozen policement to keep the youngsters back at proper distance and hands off from the many (things that lay within easy reach. Calls for order while giving necessary neces-sary instructions for the proceedings were almost in vain, but gradually the prattle and laughs became tolerable toler-able to the extent that the manager's voice could be heard, and the service ser-vice opened. Explanations Were given gi-ven and the program begun, consisting con-sisting of humorous sayings In connection con-nection with the distribution of prizes as drawn by chance. Some of these connections made of person and prize were so ridiculously misfitting as to call fourth a general uproar of merryment as to almost stop the proceedings pro-ceedings for awhile. While we leave this scene of gleeful youngsters with a sprinkle of the more mature amongst them proceeding with the distribution of present we will go up to the home of the family above made mention of. Here we find a mother who for many days had felt anxious about her own physical condition con-dition and now forced to call in a nurse to wait upon her as the nature na-ture of her cease might reqiuire. Her 9 children were all at the "Big Doings, Do-ings, " the older ones caring for the little ones, all celebrating in commemoration com-memoration of the birth of our blessed bles-sed Savior, whom they had been tavght was born in a stable and laid in the manger as there was no bed. Mother was s'ick abed at home and father in his awkward way was helping help-ing as best he could in the home. The mother's distress grew worpe ae tlnv hours sppd,on-- nd resulted In the'arrivg) ble home of a Unu uA.'fe 'heaven. Th. (01- ' and- good .. . . . ' will together with unexpressed thanksgiving from hearts filled with pent up Joy for the safety of mother and child words would fall to express. ex-press. To the family it was a double Christmas, one long to be remem bered." It was 9 p. m. and as the program in the meeting house was just finished the nine children came home in a bunch full of Joy and merriment mer-riment over their prizes and baskets or bags of nuts and candy.i when to the great surprise of all- Mamma Bays, "Come and see what danta Claus give me," at the same time opening the bed covering a little and letting them see her "doll that could sleep and sqiuawk." This surprize of course put all the Qther surprizes of the evening In the shade as seconr'arj eventa. They had gotten a hew little sister to love and cherish, i - It was one of those little specimens speci-mens of absolute Innocence and pur ity In human f,orm which verify to us the saying of our Savior: 'Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Contributed Con-tributed ' |