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Section Three The Canadian Stqt.esman. Rowmanville, December 19. 1979 9 Dickensq'l"Ch ristmas Carol" Reco0unted at Holiday Time A Condensed Version of the Beloved Classie One wintry Christmas Eve, Scrooge sat in bis counting bouse, amused by bis clerk, who was copying letters whiie attempting to k.eep warm with comforter and candie. Not once did he offer his employee, a bit of coal for a warming fire. Suddenly, the voice of Sc roog's nephew rcsound- cd, "Merry Christmas, Un- cie! God save you!" "Bah, Humbug!" replied the crotchety old man. "What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bis without money, one year older anci not an hour richer." "Uncie," respondcd the nephew, cntering the door- way, "There are mfany things from which I1right have dcrived good, by which 1 bave flot profited. Christ- mas is one of them. It is a good, kind, forgiving, char- itable time. God blcss it!" "Humbug!" rcplied Scrooge. "And good aftcr- noon," as he observed bis nephew leave. This Christmas Eve found Scroogc at dinner in a near- The key to Our success is Our fine patrons. There is a, no more f itting way 10 extend Our gratitude than with a simple and sincere ý"thanks!" C;arnegie Pro EHardware 36 King St. . Bowma ,ville F rom the staff at: The paint& paper people 110NoeMIDTOWN MALL St.NotStCIr 200 John St, West ~Oshawa *s.w JeOshawa 576-9971 576-2431 by tavern, returni ng eariy to the quarters formerly occu- pied by bis late partner, Marley. Suddenly, through the door descended Mar- ley's ghost, who spoke to him. "In life 1 was your partner, Jacob Marley. It is required by every man that the spirit witbin should walk abroad arnong bis fellow men. If that spirit ýgoes flot forth in life, it is condemn- ed to do so after deatb." Scrooge stood transfixed and answered, "Mercy! Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me?" Marley's ghost replied, -I arn here to warn you that you have yet a chance of es- caping rny fate. You will be haunted by three spirits. When this happens, you will sec me no more, but look te; remember this dcstiny and wbat bas transpired be- twcen us." t was aftcr one o'clock when Scrooge was awaken- "Spirit," said Serooge submissively, "Conduct me where you will. I wcnt forth last night on compulsion and learnt a lesson which is working now. Tonight, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it." The Spirit answered, "I am the ghost of Christmas Present. Touch my robe." Scrooge did as he was told and held it fast. Invisible, they went into the town, stopping before the tattcrcd cottage of Scrooge's clcrk, Bob Cratchit. Mrs. Cratchit, two daughters, and son Peter busied themselves with the preparation of a meager holiday meal and were soon Qjoined by Bob and bis crip- pied youngest, Tiny Tim. Scrooge was moved by ---the poor famîly's plight, and - questioned the Spirit, "Tel me if Tiny Tim will live."1 ed by the sigbt of a Spirit- The ghost replied, "I see a Cbi!d. "Who are you and vacant seat. And a crutch wbat is your business?" he without an owner. If these demnanded to know. sbadows rernain unaltered "I a th ghot o Chrst-by the Future, the child will mas Past - here for yourdi. reclamation. Take beed," Lt was then the dlock said the ghost, "Rise and struck twelve. Scrooge look- walk witb me" ed about for the Ghost and Throgh ime heysaw it flot. Moments later, Tra ogh ntsimemtheyhe felt a mysterious dread rial. Schoolboy, brother, ap- afi ure sde aim. histel prentice,, young man - fguebsd i.Ts Scrog reivd hs astlieSpirit neither spoke nor Scroidoe riybs adt liemoved. Scrooge question- devosiiof The riond houp- d, knowingly, "You are sdy pirit teavisionep-about to show me shadows sed y crret faestheof the tbings that have not paintul reaiity of Scrooge's yet happened. Is that so, cruel behavior confronted him and be cried, "1launt Spirit'! Y ou are the gnost oi me no longer," until sleep Cbristmas Yet To Corne." overtook him. [he Spirit incli'ned his head, poînted forward and lead bis captive to the churchyard graves, point- ing to the one marked EBENEZER SCROOGE. Horrified, the narnesake ad- dressed the Phantom, Awakingf the next rnorn- -Spirit, rnen's courses fore- ing In the mîdeOf a snore, 'sbadow certain ends to Scrooge regained con- which, if persevered, they sciousness for tbe express must lead. But if the course purpose of con ferring with a second messenger, dis- patcbed to hirn through M arley's intervention. I 4è, SBowmanville Mail 623-3023 .9c SMOKERS & M SGIFT CORNER M M BOWMANVILLE MALLC M 623-6606 IýW- me must bedeparted from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show The Spirit remained un- moved and pointed its hand from man to grave. "Spirit," Scrooge cried, "I'm not the man 1 was. I will flot be the man 1 must have been but for this inter- course. Why show me this if I arn past ail hope! Good Spirit, your nature inter- cedes for me and pities me. Assure me that 1 may change the shadows you have shown me in an alter- ed life!" The kind hand trembled. Scrooge continued: "I wili honor Christmas in aIl my heart and try to keep it ail year. 1 will live in the past, the present, and the future. The Spirits 'of ail three shahl strive within me. 1 will not shut out the les- sons they teach." Scrooge saw the phantom hood and dress shrink, collapse, and dwindle into a bedpost. The bedpost was his own. The bed bis own, the room bis own. Best and happiest of ail, the time before bim was bis own to make amnends in! Scrooge spent Christmas visitîng bis nephew and saw to it that various charities provided food for their dependents. When BobCratchit"came to work the day after Christ- mas, his employer greeted him: "A Merry Christmas, Bob! A merrier Christmas than 1 have given you for many a year! l'Il raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling farnily, and we will discuss your affairs this very after- noon.,, Scrooge was better than Ob' a 0 b' b04 i baO 1 0 O a.. *14 . .ta4 * a* Ob Ob 4 IlL. A -. Ob a I~ ~~ . *. à * 4 a a . 1 lo o . . . e%,. tv. o **A0 . * S f rom the management qnd staff of ~BOWMANVLLE MALL 6232546Jn bis word. He did it ail and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim wbo did NOT die, he was a second father. He be- came as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the city knew. He bfad no further intercourse with Spirits, but ever after- wards, it was always said he knew how to keep Christ- mas well, if any man alive possessed that knowledge. May that truly be said of us, and ail of us! And so, as Tiny Tim ob- served, God bless us every- one! HOLIDAY FOOD CUSTOMS FROM AROUND WORLD Among the greatest pleasures of the holiday season are the many delicious foods prepared at this time. Old World recipes make Cbristmas meals and holi- day parties truly special. Handed down'trom genera- tion to generation, such festive treats are holiday traditions in many American homes as well. Austrians are famous for creating Salsburger Nockerl. Like a souffle, the lemon-flavored egg-and- butter cake should be served straight from the oven. Top- ped with powdered sugar, Nockerl is a delightful breakfast or dessert treat. *Steam-baked Regai Plum Pudding is a British holiday tradition. The bread, suet, fruit, and nut mixture is gen- erally baked in a decorative mold, making a lovely cen- terpiece before serving. Popular Norwegian treats at Christmastime are the cookies known as "Medal- jer," or medallions. These cherry-decorated cookies and butter coô'kies are Nor- wegian favorites for the holi- days. Altbough the G reek Christmas Day begins with fasting, evening dinner is by no means a meager meal. "Ovo-Lemono," a savory' cgg-lemon soup, is served with Christoposomo, an elaborately shaped yeast bread that's a must in every Greck household at holiday time. The New World bas its own holiday food tradition, of course. For a main course, American roast turkey and chestnut stuff- ing is a popularly featured entree. Crafty Gif t Ideas With everyone (even Santa) watchîng their bud- get this season, it's no wonder many people are going around with wrinkled brows pondering the ques- tion, "What can 1 give Aunt Jane or Cousin Joe that won't wreck my wallet?" Crafts experts, suggest that this Christmas is a good time to experiment witb one of their favorite pastimes: making attractive objets d'art out of ordinary objects around the home. Not only do the finished products make' deligbtful gifts, they'll also have more meaning for the recipients as the creation of your very own hands. Searcb around the bouse for items that can be con- vcrted into crafty gifts, recommend the experts. An old wooden box can start life anew as a jewel box with some paint and "studs" that are in reaity hrass-colored thumbtacks. Old cigar boxes also make attractive jewel cases with adbesive paper and old jewelIry pieces on top, with the aid of glue. Transform an ordinary flowerpot into something special with a colorful piece of calico or gingham glued over the pot, and then var- nisbed over for a shiny, gay finish. Rejuvenate an old metal file box by spraying it with enamel paint, using stencils SHoping ail the bright SThank you from the management and ~ FAMILY HAIRSTNG BOWANVLLEMAL 023- 2201J to create interesting designs. Scraps of fabrics can make any sturdy cardboard box a deiightful cache or storage box for lingerie, scarfs, and other items. You can aiso make cache pots from cardboard paint buckets by gluing cotton cording to surface in. a decorative design, spraying the whole thing with enam- el paint. Real Poinsettias Are Traditional No other flower is more associated with the holiday season than loveiy, sta r- pointed poinsettias. Tlhey impart the speciai warmth of Christmas, no matter where or how they are used. These perenniai favorites have a grace and charm that is unique among living plants. In groups or singly, their deep green leaves con- trasted with the brilliant red or white of the flowers add distinction to any holiday room setting. Table 'se ttings "corne alive" in an instant when the poinsettia is used as a centerpiece. They stand out gracefuiiy and dramaticaily against any background. On a low bench or coffee table, the poin- settia's height is an ideal accent. Arranged in tiers on the floor, or on a bookcase or fireplace mantde, they provide a formai spiendor ail their own. Holiday Flowers The most popular holi- day color in flowers is red to express joy and laughter. Greens, symbolize everlast- ing life, and shimmering gold and silver stand for ra- diance-colors that blos- som in the season'ç sririt.