Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 53, Number 301, Decatur, Adams County, 23 December 1955 — Page 23

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1865

M- & £» *JT If <w If I I ADAMS - JAY - WELLS NATIONAL FARM LOAN ASSN. Thomas E. Williams, Sec’y-Treas. Room No. 5, K. of C. Bldg. Decatur, Ind. Phone 3-3784 join the merry carol ere to warmly wish our wonderful friends Y' it Patr ° nt a W ~Happy Holiday Season, I l Of 'WI vA bUlvHr IJg fri AUGUST CAFETERIA 222 North 2nd Street --——— ——-^--^-f^~ — ~T" ~ r '<sgEMßa«g|^^^ ;: TW ’’ ”£’,>* , . „ A I mSk- I#' F- A ‘ fcWw SdfJEi I R&aSjWßk J ■ ■ f on 1 L| garth i j h -- I eMay the infinite ■ blessings of the first I I *• I Christmas be yours to t i cherish now and always. I — LOr> ratwyf "A" - ■ -■> **l i' - Ab»- , - a( *LM Mi Y TZitv t Hbl— f IP'v I Sin ’■ - » HI - WAY SERVICE STATION . Z “Fritz Ellsworth”

. By Shirley Sargent WHEN I was a boy Christmas couldn’t come soon or often enough. The longed-for day was more exciting than my birthday, Fourth of July and the last day of school all put together. It was magic. Sheer, unadulterated magic compounded of hoarded pennies, the scent of pine needles, locked closets, mysterious winks, expectation and the unusually peaceful household. This last because my brothers and • I were doing our darndest to be good, as if to make up in one month for all the sins of the past year. Later, Christmas lost its meaning to me, now a roving bachelor. In fact the great day came too quickly, too often, and I would work late to escape the and sleep eveh later so my empty apartment wouldn’t reproach me. But now I have discovered the magic of Christmas again. A little boy gave it back to me along with a grubby kiss and a hug. It «||!PW—rW 1 He looked at me sadly. “Don't you know we live in an apartment?" he asked. is Cl istmas Eve and I have been hoc 4 -from Korea for two weeks getting acquainted with Carol, the wife I married five months before I went overseas, and a rowdy two-and-a-halLyear-old named Butch. He is my son, the child I had never seen, and he is the boy that gave Christmas back to me. CJYoI and I had planned eagerly on just what Butch should receive. Butch had a long list of toys that changed from day to day, but when I had asked him what he wanted most of all, he had just looked at me sadly. “Don’t you know we live in a apartment?” he had asked. So I told Carol, “I think Butch is worried that there isn’t a fireplace for Santa to come down. Say. do you think he’s too young for a football? Just a small one, of course.” Preparations That's how it went—peacefully, traditionally—from the purchase of the tree, to the opening of Christmas cards and the hiding of presents from Butch. Until now. Christmas Eve. I ran quickly to Butch when I heard him sobbing. His brown hair tousled, his babyplump cheeks stained red with emotion, Butch was another boy from the one I had put to bed. “What's wrong, dear? Tell Daddy?” “I wanta dog more’n anything an’ I can’t have it." “Can’t have it," I repeated stupidly, holding his warm, sobwracked body in my arms. “Why not?" Carol’s hands were on my shoulders, “Because we live in an apartment.” Butch choked, “That mean old man won’t let me. He is too mean, mommy.” Carol said, “He means Mr. Allen, the owner. No dogs allowed." "If I talked to him?” I appealed to Carol, "If I explained . . .” “No," Carol’s face twisted, “he made an exception to allow Butch here." Anger Strikes To allow Butch. For an instant anger blazed through me, then‘l remembered, with an effort, that Mr. Allen wasn’t the enemy, “Butch when we move I promise you may have a dog,” I explained carefully. “When are we gonna move?” Children needed a time, lie would be three in May. “Before your birthday," I promised, “now go to sleep, son.” In the living room, I said, “1 could buy turtles and fish.” “It wouldn’t be the same," Carol said, “when you were little, don't you remember .. .” ~ i. “Yes,” for I did. I remembered the disappointments that weren’t swallowed up by other presents but only by time and the gift of love. My son has given me more than I could give him no matter where we lived. He has given me not only the happiness but the heartbreak of Christmas. I took CaroFs hand and drew her into the £agic of love that surrounded xis.

THE DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

/■k L/Jr* \ yy w i iff f V/' I ■ z-VM ’ 1 iT[uy the Christmas Spirit , glow in your heart and Good Fortune smile brightiy upon you through all | the days of the New Year. : MR. and MRS. FRED BUSCHE MA peaceful, joyous holiday is V'l ” |L\>/ our sincere wish for all. May good will : and good fellowship be yours. W at 1I Hfi Hz SS ak if. & ■ DECATUR HATCHERY Decatur, Indiana _ I I • ’V • c\ // e i GffilOGS at TO — We sincerely wish that you will share in all the pleasures of the Yuletide season. EARLING’S r u3EOI MEAT MARKET Corner 13th and Washington Streets

By Janet Hall MARGE stood in the doorway of her bedroom and looked at the dress in dismay. Obviously it was meant for the Junior Class Snow Ball in January and just as obviously it was expensive. "Oh, whyl" she exclaimed, touching the fabric as it it were something repulsive. What’s the matter with them, Marge thought. Dad needs new clothes and things for the house and Mom always looks so poor and worried. Wearily she changed her clothes. The house was empty, for her mother was baby sitting to earn a little extra to help out. Marge went downstairs and looked at the Christmas tree and the gifts displayed under it!* She felt embarrassed even though , she was alone in the room. Somehow it was alway rather mortifying to show the gifts when friends and relatives called. Her pile of gifts was always so large and lavish anther parents’ so sparse. Jistt this once she wanted their gifts to be important like hers, not just little odds and ends to be explained away with, “We try to make a big Christmas for Marge.” She had saved nearly every penny she had earned the previous —W She found the dress box nod carefully folded the dress and wrapped it for return. summer so she could give her I father a new jacket and her mother a new coat. I tried to tell them I didn’t want a lot for Christmas, but I didn’t do a very good job of it, she told herself as she glanced at the twin cashmere sweaters, the new skirt and the other gifts. I wish I’d had the courage to be more frank. But I have the courage today, she thought, running up the stairs. She found the dress box and carefully folded the dress and wrapped it for return. -' ' ■ For Bettar Her knees were shaky as she wondered what she would say when her mother saw the dress wrapped with such finality. It's for her own good, she told herself firmly. In a week or two she’ll realize it’s best. When she heard the front door open and close, she ran downstairs to meet her mother. “Hi,” she said, quelling her feeling of nervousness. Her mother glanced at her anxiously. Her dark brown eyes darted around the room, looking to see if Marge had brought the dress downstairs. Then the expectant look changed to a questioning one. ■‘Didn’t you like the dress?” The question was so humble and so .blunt, Marge was startled. “Yes, it’s beautiful, but—” “I knew you’d like it Have you had it on yet?” “No, I haven’t.” ! “It will fit I’m sure," her mother’s voice dwindled off. The brightness in her face seemed to fade all at once. “What’s the matter?” “It’s so expensive. I wanted you to get a coat for yourself." “Oh, is that all. This old thing will last quite a while. While I was in the store I said to myself, 'There's nothing like my old maroon coat.’ I didn’t see anything I liked better so what was the use of buying a new one?” she chirped. Her Secret Marge knew she’d never tell her parents how she felt about their gifts. In a few years I'll be earning money ahd I can pay them back, but now I'll just take what they offer, she decided, feeling defeated. “Your father's coming. Go put on the dress and show him how pretty you are," her mother said excitedly. When she came downstairs they were waiting for her. Clutched in her father’s arms was a. box which she knew contained something for her. In their eyes were love, pride, and happiness mixed with a satisfied touch of martyrdom. She had to swallow to keep her face pretty and composed, for what they really wanted most of all was a pretty and popular daughter. That was all they would i allow her to give.

./Af-SC A joyous, Jr cheerful Christmas jpiC to an. /jUwFL A bright, ?-1 happy future for everybody. ARNOLD LUMBER CO. 425 South Winchester Street Hl Loft I ISA • ’1) 'Hi LAAf \ - I '. J? Vw * * '"I tTTLL’ r 19 ~ '"CIA \> V a \\ J! 1 •^‘ t^‘s i°y° ust “ ne jw* vw of Christmas, may happiness ' fill y«ur heart and may the blessings | of peace, good health and good fortune be yours. COLE’S MARKET 237 West Monroe Street —-• — -t—'SGflsoiWjfa GREETINGS iteT X? Xfl V We hope that Santa’s wF& jLjSI y good to you ... and * l^ i . * r brings the things you want him to. "WtHappy Holiday! W" / - J AMERICAN LEGION . ' z ... . ADAMS POST 43

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