Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 43, Number 35, 22 December 1917 — Page 15

THE JUNIOR PALLADIUM WEEKLY ; SECTION OF RICHMOND PALLADIUM

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Christmas . Edition

THE CHRIST CHILD IN PICTURE AND LEGEND Legends and paintings concerning the flight into Egypt tell a varied tale. Jn some Joseph and Mary ind the child journey; alone, and in others they are accompanied by Joseph's sons and a woman named Balome whose paralyzed hand is said to have been healed by the babe's touch. One. legend declares that a band of angels went before, who pitched a tent for the family at night, ferried them on branches over streams, sang heavenly lullabies lo the babe or carried a torch to light the way when they traveled in the darkness. The field of grain that often, appears in these pictures owes its presence to a tradition. Mary saw a husbandman sowing grain before the sun had yet risen. She asked him to say, if questioned, that he saw them pass by when ho sowed the field. The man promised and went into his dwelling to eat the morning meal. An hour after; to his amazement, he saw that the grain was ripe and ready for harvest. While he was reaping it some of Herod's guards daed up and demanded to l?w he had seen the fugitives. He replied tht such people passed that, way while he was sowing the field. The baffled soldiers turned back, heedless of a meddlesome black beetle that pushed its head out of the brown "earth and chirped "last night." Legendary authorities say that the way to Egypt was marked by many dangers and iniraculous escapes in which trees and plants lent aid. One story tell that they would surely have been captured had not a juniper opened to conceal them. Nearly all the plants remained motionless lest by stirring their leaves and branches in the wind they might reveal their hiding place, but the flax bristled up till it was a close screen and the brooms rustled and crackled the better to hide the dear runaways from the searching eyes and listening ears. When the holy family passed through the forest all the trees bowed their heads and worshipped the child, except the vain aspen which fluttered its beautiful leaves In the sunlight and scorned to offer the homage the rest were so eager to give. All Arabian legends testify that the Christ Child had the power of speech from the time he lay in the manger, and this story says that he sternly rebuked the haughty tree. It was so overcome with sorrow and remorse that it has never yet ceased to tremble. Roland Lawler, St. Mary School. A never failing favorite with artists is the legend of the palm tree that has so many variations. One version says that while Mary was resting in its shadow she looked up and seeing the tree full of fruit wished for some of it. Joseph longed to gratify her desire but was far too weary to climb the tall tree, so to draw her through from disappointment be said they must

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The True Christmas Spirit There are so many calls this year to relieve suffering throughout the world that we should think very carefully about the number and selection of our gifts. When we think of what we would like to give our friends and brothers and sisters we should think of the little French children whose father have been killed in this terrible war, many of whom have no homes and w ho are in "great need of food and clothing. Instead of giving unnecessary and expensive gifts this Christmas would it not be much better to give a little token which expresses the Christmas spirit and help instead a little starving French orphan to have a happy Christmas in spite of the war. We should remember that millions of little children in the other war countries are without food, that Christnias will find them naked and in rags, many living in hoU1" in the ground like littio wild beasts. Many who hJ Christmas trees last year ave not even a home thia year and are without parcuiK and are starving and dying alone. . One way every one, even Jittle children, can help is to enlist in "The Children of America's Army of Relief." Five hundred thousand children have already enlisted. Cannot you give even ten cents as that will give a starving child one day's -life. Three dollars will keep a little child one whole month. Can't we all help to spread the true Christmas spirit by helping at least one starving child? look for a spring and renew their scanty supply of water. The child instantly left his mother's arms and bade the tree give her of its fruit. v It bent till its branches hung within reach of their hands, and so remained until he cried, "Rise thee, O palm and be strong." Then into the dry hot sand he thrust his finger and a cool fountain gushed forth and refreshed the family. It is because of a tale they tell about this tree that painters have pictured angels bringing palm branches to martyrs who have laid down their lives for the faith. It records that the holy family tarried under the protecting tree all night and when they departed next day the child said: "This privilege I grant thee, O Palm, that one of thy branches shall be taken by my angels and planted in the paradise of my father. And this blessing will I confer upon thee, that unto all who have conquered in any con-test it may be said 'Ye have attained the palm of victory.' " Hardly had his voice ceased before the sky opened and an angel came down and plucked a branch from the top of the tree and carried it to Paradise to plant it by the River of Life where it will grow forever. It is a branch from this tree transplanted to glory that angels bring to those who are "faithful unto death." Charles Lawler, St. Mary School.

RICHMOND PALLADIUM; DEC,

The Night After Christmas 'Twas the night after Christmas and all thru the Douse Not a creature was stirring,' excepting a mouse The stockings flung in haste over the chair For the hopes of St Nicholas were no longer there The children were restlessly tossing in bed, For the pie and the candy were as heavy as lead. While mama In her kerchief and I in my gown Had just made up our minds that we would not lie down, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter Away to the window 1 went "J'n a dash Flung open the Mitter and threw up the Tie juoon on the breast of the new fallen snow Gave a luster of noon day to objects below When what to my anxious eyes should appear But a horse and a sleigh, both old fashioned and queer With a little old driver so solemn and slow I knew in a glance it must be Dr. Brough I drew in my head and was turning around When up stairs came the doctor with scarcely a sound. He wore a thick coat made long ago And the beard on his chin Was as white as the snow He spoke a few words, and went .straight to his workHe felt all the pulses, then turned with a jerk And laying his finger aside of his nose With a nod of his head to the chimney he goes "A spoonful of oil, ma'ma, if you have it handy No nuts and no raisins, no pies and no candy The tender young stomachs cannot well digest All the sweets that they get; toys and books are the best But I know my advice will not find many friends For the custom of Xmas the other way attends The fathers and mothers and Santa Claus too Are exceedingly blind. Well, a good night to you." And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight "These feastings and candies make doctor bills right." Harold Nickens, 6A Grades gtarr School. RED CROSS SEA4. RHYMES Bobby Shafto's gone to a To win the war 'gainst Germany; He's in the fight for liberty. Brave EbfcShafto! Christmas Seals will help to care For his health while he is there; Don't forget to do your share For Brave Bobhy Shafto!

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ESTHER'S CHRISTMAS It was Christmas morning. Little Esther awoke and found herseif surrounded-by so many playthings. She was so happy that she jumped up and down. She wanted some candy and she also-thought of her stocking down stairs. She ran down stairs and found her stocking packed full of good things. Esther had as many dolls as a little princess. She put the prettiest doll clown by the fire place. Her dog received a present, a little bed for him to sleep in. He also ran down stairs and looked Ir ingly at the good thinfjg" Esther was a ri Sir!. After she had looked - her presents sho went the window and saw many poor children running up and down the street looking on the windows of Esthers' house. She felt sorry for these children. Esther told one little girl to come in and she would give her a Christmas present. The poor girl was delighted. Esther gave her some candy and nuts and also a new dress, shoes and stockings, coat and hat. In about a year the poor girl became rich and sue and Esther became great friends. Lcota Fay Hosbrook, 5A Grade, Finley School. CHRISTMAS WISHES "I know what I want for Christmas," caid Reddy squirrel, "I want a hundred sacks of acorns." " "Oh!" said modest little, brown t squirrel, "How can you, Reddy, i' only want one sack of acorns." "Well, I was good last year don't need to be this year," said Reddy. Christmas day arrived and Reddy had a hundred sacks of acorn rods and not acorns at all. But brown squirrel had a bushel bag of acorns. "Oh well," consoled brown suirrel, "I'll give you half of mine, Roddy." But Reddy did not half enjoy them as much as he would his own. Jane Trembley, 6A grade, Columbia City. Hail, The Christ Child 'Tis solemn midnight; over all The silver moonbeams coldly fall, . And like the murmur of the sea The night wind moans how bitterly! But list! above the snowy plain Resounds a wondrous glad refrain: "Be praise to God, be peace on earth" The herald of the Saviour's birth. Oh, let us meetest off'rlng bring And haste us to our Infant King, Who in the matter He hath made Is masked and in a manger laid. Our Life, our Truth, our Way, Our Yesterday, Today, Our Joy of all that now we see, Our Hope our Heaven yet to be. In cave of earth where Thou art . thoust. To minkle with Thy creature's dust. We stand abashed at love of Thine, And mute adore, O Babe Divine! To hold Thee in our mortal arms! Our Life, our Truth, our Way, Our Yesterday, Today, Our Joy of all that now we see Our F-pe, our Heaven yet to be.

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