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W- uoe I e 1t~ft1brc -~ f (By Clement C. Moore) s 'Twas the night before Christmnas when ail through the house* Not a creature was stirring, not even a inouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled ail snug in their beds, Whiie visions of sugar-pluins danced in their heads;. And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled aur brains for a long winter's nap- When out on the iawn there arase such a clatter I sprang froin my bed ta see what was the matter. Away ta the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-falien snow Gave a lustre of midday ta abjects below; When what ta my wondering eyes should appear ]But a miniature sieigh and eight tiny reindeer, With a littie aid driver, sa iiveiy and quick, 1 knew in a moment it must be St. Nick! More rapid than eagies his coursers they came, And he whistled and shouted and called thein by name. Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now Praxncer and Vixen! On Cornet! an, Cupid! on Donder and Bitzen!- To the top of the porch, ta the top of the wall, Now,. dash away, dash away, dash away ail!" As dry leaves- that before the wild hurricane f ly, When they ineet with an obstacle Moaunt to the sky, So, Up ta the housetop the caursers they flew, With a sleigh full of toys - and St. Nicholas, too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard an the roof The prancing and pawing of each littie hoof. 'To Ail Our Many Frienda from- 1The Staff âad i i i b. JACK Blousa PLUMBING & HEATING A - 17M THE- TRUE STOKY BEHIND THE STORY A Visit from St. Nicholas Jo ns cnareU1nI. The youngsters who smiied at the joliy words had no idea that children a hundred years later would stili be listening ta, "The Night Before Christmas." But if it hadn't been for their father, the Santa Claus we know today rnight have been quite different. For the first turne, the good saint was desce'bed as fiying over roof tops in a sleigh, driving tiny reindeer. For the first time, it was disclosed that St. Nick entered our bouses through the chimney, carrying a bag full of gifts. The famous poem wasn't printed as a book until about twenty-five years later, when the chidren who first heard It were grown men and women, The first illustrations were done by T. C. Boyd, ai wood engraver. His quaint drawings, which look sa strange to us today, were the first pictures of one of aur ntast loved characters - the visiting St. Nicholas. The odd little drawings in this Issue are the first illustrations ever ta depict Santa Claus going dawn the chimney with a pack on his back, hanging the stocking on the mantel and driving the sleigh with reindeer. They ap- peared in 1848, when the poem was first printed as a book.c As 1 drew in niy head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came wvith a bound: He was dressed ail in fur froin his head ta his foot, And his clothes were ail tarnished with ashes and soot: A bundie of toys he had flung an his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!% His cheeks were like roses, bis nase like a cherry: Mis droli littie mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his chia was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in bis teeth, And the sinoke, it encircied bis head like a wreath. He had a braad face, a littie round belly That shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jeliy.1 He was chubby and plump - a rlght jolly ald elf: And I laughed when I saw hum, in spite of myself; A wink of bis eye, and a twist of bis head, Soon gave me ta know I had nothing ta dread. I He spoke not a word, but went straight ta bis wark, And filled ail the stocklngs : then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nase, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprang ta his sleigh, ta his teain gave a whistie, And away they all flew like the down of a thistie. But I heard hum exciaim, ere they drove out of sight, «Happy Christmnas toalal, and toalal a good mnight!'> ZDITORS NOTE:- Vie are lndebted to the Atlas Steels Llmited of Welland, Ontario, for courg.sy extended in publishing this universal favourite poern along with illustrations. Also thé stary behind the poern which prompted the author, Dr. Clement C. Moore, to write U*i delightful Christmnas story which was writtmn over 100) y.ars tay bus m oharrlng emd faacinating appeal to youngend old t&-daym when Jt waa tiret publlshed. Soeeng the poer n nd utory which appeMrd tI the Christmas Issue cf the "Atlas Steel News" we asked permission ta r-ePrýtthumjin The-,k4ecf W-ey - i f i, 3WLMr< vU1LLL JàE'd i--- - -- - -TRWSDAY., DECMR 21,1950 Seeking Permanent Buarters For Quinte District Seed. Fair (From The Atlas Steel News) It was winter in an oid city and the snow was dg On a narrow road leading frdm the tawn ta the qi countryside, a man was driving a sleigh and its belis r, cheerfully across the snow. As it was only a few days ýfore Christmas, the sleigh probably carried toys and ai gifts for the children of the driver, Clement C. Moore. The slelgh belis tink] on that winter day said to have made Dr. Mo hum a tune ta himself as sped along. At first the ti had na wards and then Moore began ta make - wards for it. They beg 'Twas the niglIt bef Christmnas, and ail throi. the house. -. '~. -\ One night, perhaps t' V' Y same night, Dr. Moore st in, front of his great firepi and read his Christmnas pc 9 SI Maple e rove W.I. Meeting C"-Featured 4-By Moving Pictures At the December meeting of Maple Grave Women's Institute $10.00 was voted as a Christmas gift ta the Caunty Home at Co- bourg. Mrs. K. Lamb, Convener of Ag- riculture and Canadian Indus- tries, was in charge of the pro- gram and opened her prograin with Christmas Carols, sung in the old-time hearty way. Mrs. Cecil Milis spake an the December motto "Peace on Earth Good Wiuil ta Men." Going back in history to conditions of living similar ta those of today was the picture of no room in the inn and the necessity cf shelter in a stable. Froin the humble birth in lowly surroundings came the words as meaningful today as on that first Christmnas morning, "Be- hold, I bring you Good Tidings." The strong word "Behold," did flot commence a message of fleet- ing emotional content, but rather one of something which should give permanent peace and joy and hope ta a dark and troubled world. Taday the same Good Tidings corne ta a troubied world. Mr. Cecil Carveth, Newcastle, 1presented two films produced by the National Film Board. One, on conservation of aur national resaurces, showed lands devasted le, 1 i j;o la )E members present sang' carola; Jean Cunningham gave a read- ing. "The Other W'seman";.El- len Ward favoured with a reci- tation, "Annie and Willie's Pray- er'; Betty Sisson sang a solo, and Helen Ross played a piano se- lection. The whole group listened ta the delightful Christmas re- carding, "The Littlest Angel." In the. gaines, Isobel Davis won the prize for the best hat made out of crepe paper and doilies.,Ir.MNlyad rs tpe , Mrs. thNet aindMrsoftpines eep. uiet ing be- -her ling are )ore he une Dr. Up :re igh ,at 'od ace lin ax«l Rena Mutton won the lucky, cup draw. Margaret Nichola acted as Santa Claus and made a jofly and jovial one, with a priment for eeryone at the party. The evening was a huge. success, iv- eryone present enjoyed herseilfte the limit. Golden hours of vision corne te us in this present life, when we are at our best, and our faculties work together in harmony.- Charles Fletcher Dole. r- Quinte District Seed Fair is likely ta return ta Peterborough in 1952 as a permanent agricul- tural show if suitable arrange- ments can be: made locally with assurance cf continuity. The Fair next spring will be theld in Blackstock if satisfactory accommodation can be obtained there. Uxbridge is the alterna- tive place for 1951 if Blackstock facilities are flot acceptable. Wilmott Croxali of Uxbridge was chairman of the -lirectors' >meeting in the office of Frank C. Paterson in Peterborough,. last week. Others present were: Stuart Bowman of the Federal Dept. of Agriculture; Ernest Mc- William of Dewart Milling Co.; Robert Armstrong of Cavan; Ag- ricultural Representative E. A. Summers,- Bowmanville; 0. A. Daîrymple, of Stirling; LeRoy Brown, Lindsay; Mr. Paterson; W. W. Dawson, W. W. Sutton, Robert Bell, Assistant Agricul:, tural Representative; Emerson Jennings, Uxbridge, Assistant Representative in Ontario Coun- ty; John Rickard, Newcastle. Removal of the furnaces tram the former drill hall at Morrow Park prevented the directors fromn deciding to hold the Fair in Pet- erborough next spring. Want. Central Location -- Departure from. the original ro- tary systemn of the Quinte Dist- rict Seed Fair was largely actu- ated by recognition of advantages of permanent, central location. for which Peterborough was rec- ommended. The Fair at Peter- borough in 1948 was broadened to such an extent in exhibits and at- tendance that proposals were put forth then ta remain in Peter- borough for the future. At the last moment, however, decision was taken ta switch the show ta Kingston in 1949. It dis- appointed everybody, but the Fair last year in .Lindsay was entirely successful. Mr. Bowman said that when the Fair was made itinerant a quar- ter cf a century ago, the factor of transportation supported that pol- icy. Since then. the automobile has altered travel, and farmers have no hesitation in driving 50 or 60 miles. Largest Centre In Area Peterborough is the largest centre in the Quinte district, with good radial highways, and a1 strong industrial background in- eludîng 1 a r g e manufacturing plants interested in agricultural production. It was assumed in Monday's decision that Peterborough Ex- hibition would continue in occu- pation of Morrow Park, assuming chiefly that no national emer- gency intervened, and the Seed Fair could be developed into the ctivities of a late winter or early spring agriculturai show âby tidal waters around the Bay of Fundy; the tremendous ef-ý forts by hand and with machin- erv ta control the flooding and final pictures of- 70,000 acres iuf land reclaimed for hay and pas- Dture. The second film, "Welcome Neighbours,1" vividly reminded us of the beauties of our paradise for tourists in Canada, and too, of what aur tourist industry means ta us financially. We havemuch yet ta do in impraving roads and much ta learn in the art of sup- plying coinfartable shelter and good food attractively served if Our neighbours enjoy Canada fully. In addition ta the program films. Mr. Carveth generously presented the "Leslie Bell Christ- mas Carols," aon a, tape recorder; the Santa Claus parade in colour by courtesy of the T. Eaton Co., and a Cornet production for school children "Watch Your Posture." The latter film can be most valuable ta aid or young. 1Mrs. Thos. McGuirk in thank- ing Mr. Carveth, spoke of the value of vîsual educhtion. Mrs. Lamb and her group serv- ed attractive Christmnas refresh- ments inclu.ding Christmnas cake. B. & P. Women's Club Turkey Dinner and Christmas Party A turkey dinner with ahl the trimmings, held in the Balmoralj Hotel, formed the basis for the Christmas Party of the Bowman- ville Business and Professional Women's Club on Tuesday, Dec: es, a good program, and even Santa Claus. W. IR. STRIKE, K.C., ---------------- GEORGE CHASE, For Christmnas dinner this year, serve the best. tasting turkey ever. Crisp and golden on the. outside, deliciously tender inside. To give your turkey real tasty perfection, l>ake il wwth butter. The cream-rich flavour of fresh dairy butter glorifies ail your Christmas cooking. Gravy, vegetables, or cookies 'n caes ... everything tastes better with the golden goodness of pure r SAIET feSs5 8SqV <I BSEEAU VI -- ~- TM fC AA %Y i1q A P-qaw imnv AnrffTWY Y IMAb'o -W Nearrly twenfy centunes bare passed since men were aaked b lift up their heartsa cnd follow I the footsteps of the Christ mas Child.' The simple pastoral Nef.cf thase days haz long goe, replac.d by a compiez Indus trial civilizafion. Yet, mankind, on Christmas, sf111 -furns ta the lessons of the tinst Christmas fa seek peace within if# hear ts. Jesus stili bîds us "Love y. one anot ber." DO WMAN VILLE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION -f . , 'j- k ~ ,~, &.~H*' ~ eau,6p.d 1 ;3»AAIi I ý During the prograin, the 45 j -. il .::i! A CUIRISTMAS. wIS}I TO OUR. FRIENDS Merriment aplenty, a ful stocking- and a full and happy heart, peat~e and hap- piness and fellowship,în the fullest measure. May it al come true for you! WEDEH'S FADRIC CENTRE y ~mi were the winners of the bingo, e