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S By Bertha R. Hudelson 7 'The Carson's didn't run bills. That is, not many. They didn't dare. They were paying for their small ranch type home by the 'month, for Junior's appendecto- my, and for Janie's teeth straight- ening. Besides house, life, and car -and taxes they had little money left for ordinary living, let alone for running bills at department, * clothing, and other stores that dis- play enticing wares for the weak. Weak in the sense that when there is not enough money for even nec- essary things, spend anyway! On this special day in Decem- ber, Phil and Lucy sat on their back steps mulling over a prob- lem. They had, long ago, bought toys for the children's Christmas. But they had forgotten someone. 'Dad Carson. What can we give him?' 'Socks, or Bermudas, I guess,' Phil suggested, relighting his pipe = a cs Z-EZZn "we must give him something unusual, yet costing nearly noth~ ing--if possible." for the fourth time since begin- ning their conversation. Phil had foregone cigarettes in order to stop one big money leak and re- Sorted_to pipe smoking for con- 'solation. The transition had* been difficult, for he was forever. for- getting to keep his pipe lighted. Money Conscious . «. Luey, watching, remarked, "lm even getting so money con- scious that I'm glad when your pipe goes out. Uses less tobacco and luckily the matches are free. -Yet the . economical sock idea leaves me cold,' and she shrug- ged disdainfully. Too ordinary. I don't see why nice gifts for men "are so expensive. If Dad were a woman, I could get a ritzy little pair of earrings, or a fancy hand- kerchief, for not more than a dollar. That's about all we can afford. As for Bermudas! You know Dad. He'd stick them in the fire rather than wear such 'cock- eyed - stuff' as he calls them.' 'Shaving lotion, then.' Observance Was | Christmas Day Once Against Law At one time it was illegal to observe Christmas in this country. In 1596 the Massachusetts Bay Colony's general court passed the following resolution: "Whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forebearing labor, feast- ing, or any other way, as a fes- tival, shall be fined five shillings.' It is believed that the first 'legal' observance in this .coun- try was in 1687 when Governor Andros conducted services in Bos- ton's town hall. However, it was not until 1856 that the Massa- chusetts state Legislature passed laws making Christmas a legal '| holiday. 'He'd buy that. himself. We must give him something unusual yet costing nearly nothing-if pos- sible.' An Idea : 'He's fond of jelly. And why not half a dozen glasses?' Lucy sug- gested, happily, pleased that she had at last come up with an idea. 'You know Mom Carson doesn't make jelly any more, or can fruit, or bake. She says she's gradu- ated from all that. From now on she's taking things easy. And she deserves to, although I do feel a little sorry for Dad with his farm bringing up. To hear him tell it, his mother even fried chicken for breakfast. Sometimes he had fried chicken three meals a day. Not that I would want it, but he likes to eat. A habit formed when young, and, 'they say,' habits grow stronger as one grows older. But the jelly wouldn't do. Not homemade.' A Winner ; : Phil- suddenly took a long puff on his again-unlit pipe. 'I know what! You're such a good cook, why not offer to bake him some pies? Any kind he likes. As many as he wants' 'Wonderful! Why didn't I think of that?' : - 'Because my braim happens to work a little faster than yours, my dear,' Phil said, smiling fond- ly. 'We'll get a nice card and an- nounce our gift. What could be better?' 'Nothing! But it's a good thing you smiled when you made that brainy remark,' Lucy told him, smiling ~as fondly: at him as he had at her. 'Now for sweeping and dusting until 1982!' She leap- ed to her feet and started into the house. Paul slowly stood up, groaning, 'And me to work? They went their different ways, unashamed of the gift they were to offer, and content, despite the problem of the high cost of living in the year of 1960. After all, there are satisfactory ways of beating it if you but use your brain. al PrNRUE REVEL IZIC NEI IE LENE VEE NAVE ENCE NAVE NE NEVE YAIEIE VVC VENI ENTE YR CIE VE VINE -P F HARDWARE Main Street aii AND ELECTRIC 'Haileybury SEAS RMADDM AAA DDD DSi aia asia Sivivte tala aia sisi aiaiak aia aa ate It is Christmas morn and the kids in their snuggies Are trying on skates and wheel- ing doll buggies As Mom and Dad stand knee- deep in papers Feigning surprise and watching the capers Of Babe and the pup who are too young, you see, To know just what gives, but join in the melee. Sis finds the music box quite an attraction But Jack aims. to know what's in the contraption. Mom, just in time, takes over the bat -- Then stops to admire a French dolly's - hat.- Dad is absorbed in laying a track E For a miniature train--it takes him back To the time when he: was. just about ten. But toys were not so intricate then. . Babe now is. chasing. a huge red ballon It hits Dad's cigar and oh, what a boom! Mom, in surprise, slips . on Susie's skate Causing a bump that will long mark this' date. Soon it's announced that "Break- fast is ready'"' But nobody's hungry much candy already! -It is mid-afternoon ere excite- ment subsides But -it's. only a breather till Grandpa _ arrives. Again there's a scramble to try out new toys Till someone. shouts over the noise. Then there's a race. -- who gets a leg? Junior wins sure can beg! Soon there are yawns and "good nights" are said too "Dinner"! but the pup Mom breathes a sigh as she tucks 'em in bed. It's a wonderful day for the kiddies, I'd say -- And one they will cherish to their dying day! 'Thorsday, December 22,°1960 ANT TTIN Merry Christmas" 'seein these two words we wish to express our appre- siation for your § unwavering good- © willand friendship. 3 MEME EE EVE VE NE VERVE MEH EE EV U,V OY OU UR BUSTER'S LUNCH BA HAILEYBURY Z SABA DEAE DA DAD Dae B1 BND BAST Dy SABI ISSN IB BS The Haileyburian itinid niga aan ai Aaa a a esa Ae wee R ia \ Tay we ever be guided by the inspiration of | that Holy Night when OSborne 2-3768- ee S Ne Nee Nee Nem es Ne te Nee Ye NR NE NE OY EE SO ET OO OO ES BELBECK GROCER 2 ERMAN a tA EE AN AI A A SRR ER ES A ES A ET SE BE SS ES ES EE EEE EM reer PRBWAABAARISAABD is #8 IN ag ' if Haileybury Be NEIL FLEMING SAS SS BE ME NEE NEES AG MEE SS EOS RE ESE UR UR US RSS SR SNS SR RS ROS EU OU UR EU REE RR RUE NR RI 4 DR. W. C. ARNOLD CHARLES CAMSELL I PSR EE EU UU ET EB OE UD RE OY IE REY UE EY PV YU UC OE UE MM YE THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE -Haileybury Town Council EXTEND TO THE CITIZ§NS OF THE TOWN, THEIR BEST WISHES for the Christmas Season and for Health and Prosperity in the New Year MAYOR A. H. COOKE COUNCILLORS Clerk -- F. G. HASKETT J. TIMMINS BEN BUDGEON JAMES WHELAN a, B SSS SS ee | 3 xs % ws : ¥ 4 ws © w wy ¥ ry y w Ww Me e Se w re my oe oer A beste seapein : es a _n MT Sim seen ee Baud CR eee Oe a eed sie