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rl iMZ 7H@%UriOrt^ 42Plcit^n.%^.'^ f By DANIEL F. LINDSAY Tom Larkin opened the kitchen iloor. His wife looked up with a hopeful smile as he entered. He just shook V; head. "No mail at all?" she said as she went on fixing dinucr, "Oh, there were a couple "f ads and a hill from the seed com- pany." He hung his hat on a hook and crossed to the pump. His white hair was damp around his face when he straightened up again. "It's just not like Bill." she lighed. "Bill's got an unforgivin' streak, always did have, even when he was a little feller." Pa's old briar gave off a pungent odor as he lit it. 'But this is different, Tom," she said, putting a pan of biscuits in the oven, "tomorrow is Christ- mas. It's a long way to the coast. Maybe he wrote but didn't nTail it in time." "Ma," his tired old voice was filled with bitterness, "there's no need to stick pins in yourself by hopin'. Christmas or no Christmas . . . that boy is still mad." The old lady's eyes shone with faith. "He might stay mad all year long, but when Christmas comes . . . he'll write. I know. I'm his Ma." "Don't forget," Tom said as he blew smoke at the ceiling. His eyes crinkled at the corners, "Im bis father." "Dinner's ready. Pa," she said, filled with a deep longing and (ought to keep the tears out of her voice. "I c'n understand that boy still bein' mad it me, but why does he have to take it out on you?" "You're wrong, Tom," Ma re- plied as she lifted her head and smiled. ''The day after Christmas, first delivery, we'll get a letter You'll see." "Not from him," he shook his head grimly. The bringing hi ot the yule log mriginated in England during medie- ' val times. The log was dragged into Ihc great hall at the begituiing of the t^Suristmas feast and was theocca- |flon of the rendering of the Christ- 'mas toast, which is, in part: "This Cie log burns. It destroys old treds and misunderstandings. LeW I your envies vanish, and let the tpir- I H of good fellowship reign supreme lor this season and through all the year." The ,vule log represents "Peace en earth, good will toward men." Surrounded by myth by primitive peoples, the mlttletoc was taken over by Christians who also wove fanciful legends around it. In ancient mythology, the mis- tletoe was the instrument of evil. The Druids of Britain believed the plant possessed healing powers. Oth- ,er primitive people thought that mis- tletoe found growing on oaks had I magical powers. 1 Taken over into Christian tradl- I tion, the mistletoe was dedicated to the Christ Child, Adopted as tym- bolical of the healing power oi our Lord, it was used to adorn the, altars at Christmas. Monks of the, monasteries culled it the "wood of the cross" and attributed lupemat-.' ural powers to it. The white berriei^ were said to reflect the radUnce rii'.igiit from the guiding star when the Wise Men were led to the â- aanger. "You're forgettin' Judy," she re- minded him as they sat down. "She's a good daughter-in-law." "Oh, I'm not blamin' her," re- plying as he covered his biscuits with gravy, "Judy's a fine girl. It's his bull-headed pride." She got up and taking the "cof- fee pot off the cook stove filled his cup. They ate in silence. Fin ally he pushed his plate back. "You aren't eatin' much," he scolded. "I'm just not hungry. Pa." "I see,"' he stood up. "I'm goin' out .nnd turn the heater o;i in the "She could see Pa striding Into the living room." hen house, it'll be cold tonight."' His old shoulders slumped for- ward as he went outside. She shook her head and started pick- ing up the dishes. Her mind sank back into the past. To the days when Christmas was alive with the excitement and laughter of young voices. She could see Pa striding into the living room bear- ing a large evergreen on his shoulder. Behind him there was always a highly excited little boy, bearing an axe. She wondered if the little boy ever thought of it. Pa came back on the porch. She smiled as he kicked his toe against the threshold. It's a wonder, she thought, that there's any thres- hold left after all these years. He came into the kitchen, dumping an arm load of kindling in the bo.x behind the range. "Snowin'i Pa?" He shook his head and took off his wraps, replying, "Stopped.'' She hung the dish towels up to dry. He pulled a rocker in from the living room and sat down. "Everything all right in the barn?" Ma asked as she threw a few lumps of coal in the fire. "Sure," Pa said. A sad smile crossed his lips, "what's the use pretendin'. Ma? We're both fcclin' blue," She sat down at the old kitchen table and started peeling apples, uttered, "I know it." "Gonna bake me a pic?" he asked. She nodded. "Apple was always Billy's favorite, too." "Now, Ma, what's the use of ...,'' he stopped as thty heard a car drive up in the yard. 'Must be Jim Rogers. Said today that new calf of his was sick." He opened the kitchen door and peer- ed out into the night. She could hear him catch his breath as he watched a man and a woman get out. "Ma, who ''o you think?" his voice was low. "I knew," Ma laughed as she laid the paring knife down , with a happy smile, "I knew it all t\\': time." Which! "Of course, 1 must ask you for a deposit," said the landlady. "Certainly," replied the new ten- ant, handing over the required sum. "Thanks. Now, shall we trust each other or do you want a re- ceipt?" •en J rii THERE'S more to buying toyt, than merely getting something (or a youngster to play with. Home management specialists emphasize Ave points worth remem- bering in purchasing playthings for children: 1. Safety. Keeping the age of the child in mind, youngsters should not be given a sharp knife, chemistry set, air rifle or a tool Mt until they are old enough to handle them with care. Electric train equipment should be kept hi good repair to prevent shock or bum. Infants should be guarded against whisi with removable mouthpieci stuffed animals with pin or buttui eyes, wheels and strings not secure ly fastened, and small nailing. 2. Cleanliness. Toys should lend themselves to being cleaned with out damage. 3. Construction. Well made toys are capable of much wear and tear, with fragile playthings encouraging destructiveness In a child. 4. Versatility. A toy that offers many imaginative uses will intrigue a child longer. Blocks of various shapes and sizes have more con- struction possibilities than the usual sets. , 6. Variety. Toys of different sizes, shapes, textures and colors develop different muscles and different liinds of interests. Too many toys, like no, toys at all, are a mistake. The child is dis- tracted by the variety and not given the opportunity to develop the po- tentialities of the toys he has. It must also be appreciated that the price of a toy does not determine Its real value since a cheap play- thing may provide a youngster with as much enjoyment as a more ei pensive one. wmFsmmFOFWEPmuG A department store Santa Claus listened to a long recital of requests by a tot, assuring her he would do his best to meet her requirements. Before she left, Santa handed her a bright red apple. "What do you want Santa to do now?" her moth- er asked. The moppet promptly snapped: "Peel it!" i One of a series of adveftisements in tribute to those Ca^^adians in the service of the public 5 The Quaker Fiil-0-Pep Feed booth Was a very busy spot- duriiijj the Royal Winter Fair. Everyone expressed keen inter-. est in the two vahiable heifer calves on display, before beinp awarded to the two outstanding boys or girls in junior dairy and beef cattle work. Many feeders stopped by to talk about the much discussed feed situation. The general opinion seemed to be that, although things look bad at the moment, most fann- ers are optimistic and expect a favoural)le adjustment in prices. Many farmers made enquiries about the availability uf Ful-0- Pep Feeds in their particular districts. Now that supplies are easier we can make more Ful-O-Pcp Feeds but as yet we are not at peak productioil. However, the high quality standard of vitamin-rich Ful-0-Pep Feeds is being maintained regardless of shortages and new developments in the commcicial feed pic- ture. Ful-0-Pep feecrcrs are protected because, w ith Ful-O-Pep, quality aways comes first. REG'LAR FELLERSâ€" Hold It By GENE BYRNES .A