Image provided by: Josephine Community Library Foundation; Grants Pass, OR
About Grants Pass daily courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1919-1931 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 24, 1923)
That Gobbler for Christmas By CLARA DELAFIELD Could te Bird ■ AL, marm, I might let you E have the gob They Had ¡p bier for Christ Watched Grow mas." said Si las Hicks. “He'll be a fine bird by then. But I dunno. He's the only one I’ve reared oat of that brood, and I'm kinder attached to him." However, he promised Mrs. Janie* Anally to let her have the gobbler. Silas Hicks was not a sentimental man. He was a farmer, and In busi ness for the money It brought him. He had a brother John, who had gone to the city and made money hand over list, John was a crusty old bachelor and largely devoid of the sense of family obligations. There had been a time. five years before, when things went badly with Silas. There was a heavy mortgage to meet, the crops had been a failure, and he had beet^ In danger of dispos session. Besides, his wife was on her sickbed, from which she was never to arise. Silas had gone In his despair to the brother whom he had not seen tor years. John had turned Mm down flat. “Either left you the farm because you played up to him. and kicked me •ut Into the world." he said. “Now Tve made my pile, you hare the nerve to come to me for help. I don't see it. Silas." “My wife's sick,” pleaded Silas, “and you've got more money than you know what to do with." “Oh, I can find a use for It." John rejoined caustically. “Maybe if you'd shown a little sympathy for me when I was hoofing it on the sidewalks rd have a little more for yon. Silas." Silas went home. Somehow he man aged to survive the crisis. But his wife died, and be grew lonelier and lonelier. If he had had a few thou sand dollars he would have sold out and gone south to live, somewhere away from this bleak New England coast. But he could just manage to make both ends meet. Daily be cursed his brother in his heart He started.raising turkeys, and that was a failure. Only the gobbler lived. He used to watch the bird with in terest The gobbler would come cluck ing after him for crumbs. And it was odd how it looked like John. He began to call it John. It had a queer way of putting Its head upon one side and calling, as John used to do when be was a boy. Gradually. to old Silas' fancy, the gobbler became an effigy of John. He hated it He hated it and he was attached, too. He made a sort of pet of the gobbler. He wanted It to love him. so far as a turkey gobbler Is capable of love. Then, when Christmas came, he was going to cut its throat very slowly, bending its head back to see the terror in its eyes. He wonld thus have his revenge upon his brother. •Yes, marm, John's thriving nicely and putting on flesh," he told Mrs. James. “Here becomes. John! John!” Up came the big gobbler, put Its head on one side and sarvejed Silas to see If he had any bread crumbs. “Isn’t he the cutest thing!" said Mrs. James. “I don’t wonder you can’t bear to let me have it, Mr. Hicks." “Oh, that’ll be ail right, marm," re sponded Silas cheerily. An elemental hatred for the gobbler bad come to fill his heart. Christmas was at hand. He pictured how, on the morrow, he would grab the bird, he would Insult it with all the turkey abuse that he had picked up from it; then it should die slowly, as he would like John to die. On Christmas morning he found a letter from an unknown correspondent in the city. Opening It, he read that his brother John was dead. John had left forty thousand dollars, half of which was to go to Silas, “in memory of our boyhood times together, and in the hope that any ill feeling, if it existed, has long ago been can celed.” Silas stared at the letter. His eyes grew misty. He saw John again as t. little boy upon the farm; his heart went out to him across the years. Gobble! Gobble! The big turkey was standing In front of him, its head on one side, one claw raised, begging for crumbs. “You great big faker, you!” bellowed Silas. The gobbler, looking a little alarmed, retreated a step or two. • •••••• "Oh, Mr. Hicks, I’m willing to pay for that turkey, but somehow I—I feel I just can't eat him after seeing him grow up from babyhood.” “Wai, Mrs. James, I was kinder feeling that way myself," said Silas Hicks, scratching his head. “You see, I’m selling out and going south, and I was figuring on taking him along and raising turkeys.” (©, 1**1. Wertira Newspaper Union.) MONDAY, DKCKMDKR ®4, I MB- GRANTA PAM DAILY COURIER PAGE FOUR With Christmas Love Came Understanding KLL. girls, 1 have made It up with Beatrice.” Ann. "the bsrd-boded" of the office. yanked off her coat and hat and placed them In the locker that ranged across the end of the room. No one paid much attention to Ann usually. She was of such an exptoelve nature, and said such irresponsible things, that alie was not taken seri ously. But the break between Ann and Beatrice had been of long standing and had been common bed upon so much by Anu that her announcement caused the other girls to look op questioning ly. “That's a fact.” continued Ann. “and I am so ashamed of my treatment of tier this long time." "How did It come about!“ asked Sadie, assistant to the department manager. “Wall." exclaimed Ann. “I will have to confess uiy beastly nature, before I can tell you bow It happened. In a spirit of spite 1 sent Beatrice a Christ mas present, which no one but good little Bea could ever have accepted as anything but an Insult, it makes no difference what It was. Today noon I met her on the street and she stopped me to thank me for the pres- ent. “ ’It was not the present so much, Ann. that came by mall,' said she. 'What made me feel good was that you had been thinking of me.' Then she took bold of my hand to caress It and said. 'It was not any kind of a present that I wanted most from you. Ann. but your love and companionship and symputhy. I have been hungry for you. Ann. and you had no right to take yourself away from me. I give you my love for Christmas— will you give me yours?’ And little Ann. the hard-boiled, cried right on the street. What do you think of that, glrlsj” "The day of miracles is not past, it seems." commented one. “And now do you know what?” This from Ann. The girls waited expectant- ly for further information from the erratic one. “Well, I always thought Christmas was to get people to spend lots of money to send things to other people that they did not want." rattled off Ann. “Now I have a new understand ing of Christmas since my most loyal friend has asked me only for my love . . . and she sure Is going to get it"—C. F. Wadsworth. <©■ 1***. Western Newspaper Union.) Ireland Hunts Wrens Day After Christinas N IRELAND Boxing Day (th« I day after Christmas) is known as St. Stephen's day. On this I day there is practiced an old I custom that has come down through the ages and which Is called "hunting the wren.” A crowd of grown boys with blackened faces and dn-ssed In the most grotesque cos-1 fumes seek out a wren, which is th* I emit Pest of nil birds In Ireland, and: carrying It with them go from bouse to house all over their particular part of the country, asking, or rather sing ing .1 request for a little help with th* celebration which takes place In th* . village that evening. There are sev eral verses which they use. the fol lowing lieing a sample of their kind: The wren, the wren, the king of al) birds, St. Stephen's day. she was caught I d the furze. Although she Is little her family is great. So please try your pocket and give us a trate .(treat) Slnr holly, sing Ivy, slnw Ivy. sins hotly. Just a drop to drown melancholy, And If you draw It of the best I hope In Heaven your soul will rest And If you draw It of the amali It will not agree with the wren boys st all. And so much is the spirit of hospl tallty and good will In evidence at Christmas time that they very seldom meet with a refusal and by evenlna the pile of small silver pieces ha« grown Into large enough proportions to warrant a big celebration ut which all tlie young folks In the district make merry.—KfitheCne Edelman. (©. 1923. Western N*wspap»r Union > CHRISTMAS CAN3LE3 - It Is a plensnnt custom. when the Christmas tree is lighted and its many candles full to give ull the needed clieer, to light a candle from its fires and give the tidier randies <>n the shelf and on the table a share In the happy illutnimirlon.—<’. G. Huznrd. (©. 1923. WHtem Newspaper Union i THE OPTIMIST’S VIEW The optimist reflects that the shop, ping rush would be much more uncom fortable If Christinas came on July 25. IT TAKES COURAGE The true diplomatist la one who can »ay “Ju«t wliut 1 needed" while specu- latina on his chances at the exchange counter. THE POSTMAN SETS THE PACE There would be merriment enough for all if everybody worked as hard in distributing holiday cheer as tbs posuuan. His Christmas Spent at Club B, MARY GRAHAM BONNER Lonesome Rich Man Finds F lap pines* in Play alen* fasti- ci ah. quite had IM aow. Everyone seemed to have other things to do than to come to the club. They bad talked, a number of them, the last time many had been theca, of the busy day* ahead, shopping, wrap ping up Orlstmaa parvela, helping their wives or thetr daughters er their grandchildren in the gay plans for Christman Only he had no plans to mah*. He gave bls employees, and a number of others with whom he came In contact money at Christ- mas time, That fulfilled kts Christ ma* de man da Other years he hadn’t felt It so much as this year. This year th* loneliness seamed lonelier than ever before. Hla soli tary condition sad- dended him. Well, he would go back to bis suite. He would leave the e 1 u b. Perhaps among his own books, his own things he would not feel so lonely. He would not dine at the dub; he would hare some cheese and crack ers and coffee at home. Hla excellent valet could always prepare a little supper for him. Outside of the club hla chauffeur and car were waiting. He got in and sat down on the soft, luxuriously upholstered cushions, and the chauffeur closed the door, abutting out the clear, cold Christmas time air and the noise of the streets—the noise of many voices of many people going shopping, with the higher voices of children rising every once in awhile above the din. His soul seemed to ache. ' He was alone. Rich, comfortable, luxurious, alone! No one wanted him, needed him. eared for him. He had every thing which money could buy; he had enough money to buy everything hs wanted. No, not everything I He wanted love and affection, he wanted to be a part of all this going on outside the luxu rious confinement of his car and that he couldn’t buy. Mix with the crowds? Yes, he could do that, but not as one of them. Only a* a lonely man who hod a fat bank aceount which didn’t help tn the slightest. And yet couldn't tt help? Suddenly he had an inspiration. He called through the speaking tube to bl* chauffeur. “I think.” he said. “I will get out here and walk the rest of the way home." The chauffeur was surprised, but he was too well-trained to show surprise He got out before a large store where in the window was a decorated Christmas tree. He went Inside the store. No longer did he feel so lonely He, too. had a purpose In mind. He was a part of all of this now. Tinsel, candies, red colored paper, ribbons, small toy*. decorations, oh. bow much he bought His arms wen- filled with bundles just as were the arms of other*. It i! was such fun to carry bundles, too. He bad never known before the joy of overcrowd fa ed arm*. Home he went, carrying his be- loved purchases with him. And » . then he aummoned j* the janitor to his lonely suite, which now seemed filled with the Christ mas cheer. He talked it all over with him, the plana for the tree, for his own Santa Claus suit He had given the janitor money be fore, of course. This Um* he would take part In the Christmas of the chU dren of the janitor. Christmas morning came. Never hod he arisen so early on a Christmas morning. Dressing himself carefully, be went downstairs. He had worked until late the night before, decorating the tree, but he was not tired. Suddenly there was a cry. a cry of joy such as he had never heard. “Why, there!* Santa Claus! Dear, dear Santa Claus." The janitor’s children had always been afraid of Mtn. but not so of Santa Claus! He undid his pack, he took gifts off the tree, and the children climbed over him, kissed him. hugged him. loved him. With what a splendid gusto they loved him! And the children begged Santa Clans to stay for dinner. Curlons thing for him to be doing! But he stayed, and for the first time, almost since he had been a child himself, he had a Christ mas. a real Christmas, a Christmas filled with love which had driven the loneliness out I 0 How Four Old Maids Have Real Christmas HEY were a family of old mslda — four tlitera. But they were the jolllest, nicest old maids 1 ever knew. 1 always swore It. •nd now I know it What do you think they did for Christmas? Did they have a tree for themselves and exchange coetly preemua with each other, and then eat a turkey with dressing and plea, alone tu their charming white dining room? Not a bit of U. They know what Chriatmaa was meant for. and they acted on the knowing. Their friend* tell me they bare done ft every year; but alnce I'm only a new acquaintance, compara tively, i couldn't know that. They invite tn a doien children who wouldn’t ordinarily have a Christ- mas tree at all and give their present* to them. And then thoae twelve, poor little mite* alt down at the table In the old molds’ charming white dining room, and the old mold* themselves serve them with turkey and all the fixings. And they don't do It for chat« tty either. YTiey do It because they adore children, and making them hap py la to them a treat You eee, from thetr cradle«, these four old maid slaters were blessed with the Christ mas spirit, a spirit that lasts all the year around when it Is genuine. But why should I call them "old maids?” That term Is In such disre pute? They are four angels I And knowing that, I am going to try my luck, some time when I can get the courage, and ask one of them, the one I happen to be In love with, to “have me." Perhaps If I make the proposal within the Christmas season she’ll remember she’* a Christmas , angel, and take me. Don’t laugh at my audacity. Anything may happen at Christmas time! For Christmas I* a magical time. Even a child can tell you that,—Ethel Cook Eliot. A ppreciating the spirit of cordiality and co-opera tion that has marked its business relationship with members of the communi ty during the year that is passing, The California Oregon Power Company extends Christmas greet ings and its most friendly wishes for the year Nine teen Twenty-Four. <©. 1**1. Waalers Newapapsr Untoa.) That Plum Pudding and Some Twisted Mottoes IOUISE loved Jokes. She caught people with questions and puz zled them with renundrums. So , she had arranged a program that centered about the Christ mas plum pudding. When that came npon the table each one was to put in his thumb and pull out a plum In the shape of a twisted motto; there they were, all around the sides of the platter. Father was first, unfolding his plum he read off the pit of It and, os If to moderate the coming merriment, sold “AH Is not laugh that titters.” Then mother read hers: “It’s a wrong turkey that has no turning." As this did not apply to the bird that had just disappeared, the self-satis fied smile of the cook behind the door did not tome off. Then Aunt Mary: "A hitch In time saves mine.” This reference to Bob's trousers asserted his Independence of suspenders, but caused hl* relative to remind him that he was not as need less of stitches as he thought, upon which he replied that he could depend upon that tailor who had advertised “pants a dollars and a half a leg, seats free." Then Susan: “We never miss the swatter till the flies go by.” This was a fly paper upon a dead subject and it was filed for future reference. Bob’* plum was also laid on the table after he had road: “A strolling boy catches no horse." A sentimeat that he was Inclined to think a little too personal. Louise had the last plum and de clared; “All’s well that ends swelL” Expressing the traveler’* satisfaction with terra firma. less terror and more firmer. But the pudding was cooling and that was no joke, so, as the tempera ture fell, they fell to.—Christopher G. Hazard. (©. IMS. Wwtem ?fewBpap«r Union.) A CHRISTMAS THOUGHT The greater happiness of the Christ mas season Is a direct result of the greater participation of men and wo men In the spirit of Christ. For then weakness hns a power over strength; and then the laughter In the eyes of little children seems a better thing than our own good; and then the tired routine In the lives of those around u* looks ont npon us through enigmatic eyes, and we understand better, we pity, we eense to condemn—we would even ameliorate, we wonld show that we see and understand—and so we offer the dumb gift which mutely tells what our words could never tell; end then In our hearts, In our households, In our little world, there Is Christmas Joy nnd peace—earth’s highest happi ness.—Rlstcr M. Fldes Shepperson In Pittsburgh Dispatch. THE GENUINE SPIRIT The genuine holiday spirit consists not only In wishing a merry Christ mas, but In making one. MOTHERS’ CHRISTMAS <©, IStS. W»«t»ra Newvpaser Union.) After receiving her gifts, mother’s Christmas will he devoted largely to washing an extra number of dishes. WHEN HE WAS A BOY NEVER TOO HIGH What n big-hearted fellow old Aunts Claus la He must have been a newsboy. It might be different with a lot of things around Christmas, but the mla- tletoe Is never too high. PINE BOX COMPANY LAND DEVELOPMENT PLAN (Continued from Page One.) Pass Irrigation district them. These ( lands are located in various part* of, the district, and the prospective' home-builder can meet his fancy a* regards location, lay of land, or: other demand in picking out hl* | farm. A particularly tine tract lies just south of town, along both side* of the Band Creek and Jerome Prai rie regions and In the Allen Creek basin. Included are some of the farms that wero developed years ago, but that have been out of pro duction since they were purchased by the Chicago band company 12 years ago. The locations of the holding* of this company by sections are a* follows: Township 36, Range 5 West, Sec- tlon 29, 79.6 acres. Township 86, Range S West, Sec- tlon 30, 237.2 acres. DRY SHIPLAP FOB SALE at The Valley Lumber Co. West F Street Township 36, Range 5 Woit, Sec- tlon 31, 138.7 »eres. Township 86, Ramie tlon 26, 131.3 acres. Township 36, Range tlon 32, 75.6 acres. Township 3 6, flange tion 33, 78.7 acres. Township 86, Rango tion 34, 312.3 acres. Township 36, iRange tion 35, 336.3 acres. Township 36, Range tlon 36, 194.7 acres. Total lrrlbable acre* 6 West. Sec- « West, Sec- • West, Sec- 6 West, Bec- « West, Sec- The Best Christmas Gift Let us equip your bathroom wtth our modern, up-to-date porcelain finish bathtub, wash stand and other bath room requisites. Then there will bo real cause tor rejoicing this Chriet- mas and every Christmas thereafter. 6 West. 3ec- 1479.4. W. R. RANNIE 417 G Street Printing that please*—Courier.
