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a Saturday, December 23, 1922 ddd dedb db ddd ddd A FREER JJ 0 PE--STBINE cold December evening a little girl stood shiver- WF SN) WM ing on the doorstep of a handsome residence. Her ( Co) dress was ragged and torn and her poor little feet NE 4 and hands had no protection or covering whatso- --f® ever /She lay couched on the doorstep in a miser- able heap, and_noffe of the passersby paid the slightest attention to her. . Inside the residence, in a warm, cosy sitting room, a lonely widow sat mourning for her only child. This was Christmas Eve and two years ago she had received the sad tidings of his death. He had died bravely fighting in the Great War, and his mother loved to retrospect upon the happy days of his childhood when little hands and feet had done their best to render her happy. Little Gertrude, for that was the name of the poor waif on the door-step, was also alone in the world. A few hours ago re- turning home to her miserable shelter after selling her papers on her crossing she had found her sick grandmother dead. Exposure and overwork had killed the poor weak body at last. Gertrude, horrified at this strange cold death had fled from the mournful wandered about the streets until at last overcome she had sought shelter on a friendly doorstep. wore on oblivious to the sorrow or suffering lady of the house took her lamp at midnight pping a shawl about her went to see what the weather like, To her amazement she nearly stumbled over a bundle of rags which lay hunched up on the doorstep. She lowered the flickering flame in order to discover what it might be and was surprised to find a poor little waif of seven or eight soundly sleeping, in spite of the cold. Touched by pity, the lady wrapped the child in her shawl and lifting the waif in her arms brought her into the house, She bathed the poor chilled little body in warm water, and after a brisk rubbing with a towel wrapped the child well up in a blanket and carried her up to bed. The child was too weak to protest and the widow managed to feed her with some hot gruel before she went off to sleep. Her dreams were all of wondrous ft hd, fons was ives £6 kw sis dado of cave ile, . Before retiring the widow opened her window wide and gazed out into the night. The night was clear and starry and a golden moon was gliding softly across the dark expanse of blue. - The widow mused upon this peaceful scene for a while and then koelt down and prayed to God that she might have the little waif for her own, to guard and care for and verily in the days to come God answered her prayer, for little Gertrude grew to love her with _-- THE ONTARIO REFORMER - Ri Aaa a ARE El REE Raa a a RRR A i es wilds Christmas Tale a a a nL an a EE a EE ne aaa nt all her heart and gradually their love for each other increased until ey each found a fuller happiness on earth than is the share of most mortals. N And this is a tale of Christmas for the divine Providence had led these two lonely ones unto each other on Christmas Eve. ---- WHY THE CHIMES RANG. In a faraway country where few people have ever travelled stood a wonderful church, The churh stood on a high hill in the city. The people went to the church on Sunday and on Christmas eve, looking like ants all going the same way. The entrance had stone columns and dark passages. The main door was so large that one could see from the doorway to the marble altar. The organ. was in a far corner of the room. When the organ was played it could be heard for miles around. People closed their windows and doors and got ready for a thunder storm. \ But the strangest! thing about the church was the chime of YOUNG CANADA | bells, They were in the tower. There was ivy growing all round it. It was sp high that only on 2 fair day could one see the top. The bells had always hung in the tower, They had not been heard for many years, There wis an old man living in the town who said that his mother had heard the chimes she was a little girl. This was the last time the chimes had bten heard. It was the custom of the people, rich and poor, to bring gifts on Christmasieve, They placed them on the altar, When the greatest and fest gift was placed on the altar, the music of the chimes could pe heard, : A numberof miles from the city lived two little boys. They know little atput the chimes but had heard of the service on Christmas fve. They planned $0 go to the church. Pedro said "We might be ible to see the Christ child, I have heard he es to bless the s§vice. It was hal for Pedro to stayjbut he choked back the tears as he heard litfle brother's footst§s going farther away, The churcd was beautiful evening and Pedro felt the ground trembld when the organ flayed. After the service the people took thdr gifts to the altar] But the chimes did not ring. After the gifts were placed mjthe altar, the choir began to sing. Suddenly! the organist stopp playing and everyose looked at the minister 4s he stood with hijand raised. As they lispoed, sweetly and rly came the music of the chimes, Rw dia Ex ggg 0 0 =f KEEFE As they looked all they saw was the figure of little brother, who had crept softly to the altar and laid the silver piece there. v THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN NORTHLAND. To-day I looked upon a world that is fair to see; its virgin- white drapery, is green and grey mottled woodlands, clear skies, welcome sunlight, the cheerful song of the chicadees and blue- jays, the antics of the scclding squirrels. Underfoot the snow scrunched and squeaked, signifyng it was just cold enough for a comfortable ramble, and so I visited the deer "yard" and was glad to see the wolves had not yet molested them, their criss-cross runways along which I surprised several who peered at one with large, pathetic eyes and then walked into the deeper shade of the cedars. How picturesque the beaver-houses looked, miniature like mosques among the tamarac from which a lone Arctic Wood- pecker tapped for its dinner, Along the glare ice I walked and slid acrossing the slithering like trail of three otter and 2 mink. I had seen and enjoyed nature in her true shape. And now I lean back in the old rocking chair and the flickering, spluttering fireplace awakens memories. And my thoughts drift back towards civilization and crowded cities and I remember that on this the 25th day of December, the world that we know of becomes a veritable brotherhood of man, on this day at least the dispafity in class distinction is wiped away in a common emotion of good-will, It stirs up our dormant feelings, it makes us for- get our cares and troubles for this one day at least we are happy. Why cannot we live more days in the year in the same spirit, why confine all our goodness, charitable inclinations and good will to one day? Humanity is strangely ignorant of its simplest emotions, In a vague way we know that happiness and pl from our consciousness of doing right, but we don't always live up to this precept, excepting perhaps this cne day of the year. Who , knows but from the well spring of this most memorable time that brotherhood of man may arise to glorify in truth that old, old saying, "Peace on earth, good will to men." And here, buried as it were in the depths of the Northland woods, far removed from the sound of church bells and close fel- lowship of men, one still feels that Hippy, contented-like infection that Christmas brings. It is good to live and be contented with your lot and look forward to the coming year with the same spirit that this day of days brings to one. Miskokway. Rapparees Rrra preeereeeeesIes A ¥ i wr The Pedlar People, Lie Take this opportunity of extending to the people of Oshawa and vicinity their cordial CHRISTMAS GREETINGS They also wish to express their appreciation of the loyal co-operation of their numerous employees in all departments, whose efforts have contributed 'so largely to the prosperity which this community has been enjoy- ing. A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Y ear to you all (tL W. J. Trick Company, Limited. EXTEND TO THEIR Employees, Patrons, and All Citizens of Oshawa Christmas and New Year Greetings Best Wishes and Prosperity Throughout b OO OB SG CEB Be TR TT TL TU : : |