THE FRIVOLOUS MUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20137, 24 December 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE FRIVOLOUS MUSE.

CHRISTMAS CONTRASTS. 1828. Ihc log flee is throwing its glow round the hall, While the snow drives in flurries outside; And the oak tables bear all the richest of fare, To honovr the new Christmastide, The garlands of holly and mistletoe hold A message of joy and good cheer, Whilst the voices of waits at the old manor gates Hymn the happiest day of the year. The head of the family, hearty and bluff, Presides at the feast that is spread; While the homely toasts pass to the clink cf the glass That gleams with its freight ruby rod. By post-chaise and coach they have com© to take part In making the hours blight and gay, lor no one would miss an occasion liko tins To uuito on a bright Christmas Day* 1928. The strain pipes arc throwing their /umes' round the hall, While the rain falls in torrents outside; Xo tables now bear any trace of good fare To honour the new Christmastidc. Xo holly or "mistletoe hang from tho walls— Tho maids say they make too much work— But the wireless brings cheer—" An address you'll now hear Oil ' J ho Lesser-known Weeds of Dunkirk.' " Tho head of the family gloomy and pale, Is the only one left in the. place; ' His wife's dining out, and his son's not about He's up West and is going tho pace. His daughter and nephews, his cousins and aunts . Have gone their own ways for tho day— And ho'd have gone, too, if ho hadu'fc the 'flu Or could find enough money to pay! I REMEMBER. I remember- I remember Christmastidcs of long ago; The tapers on tho fir trees aud the farmyard deep in snow; The fat, misshapen rtockings with their promises of thrills When the Yuletide held no growing dread of January's bills. I remember—through the thronging years the recollections sift— The enormous kick engendered by each crimson-ribboned gift; When tho packages wero opened by small hands with bliss a-quiver And one never paused to wonder if he'd given to the giver. I remember. I remember, I remember very clearly When I only gave at Christmas time to those I cherished dearly; When I bought each single one of them within the village store And I didn't tip a hallboy and a maid and janitor. I remember, I remember how my spirits seethed like yeast When I saw the mighty turkey at the lavish Christmas feast, Protuberant with dressing and most delicately browned, And I didn't blunt my appetite on what he cost per pound. I remember—shades of Santa Claus, how clearly I remember— The tender, bright expectancy that came with each December; ,:i The waves of gleeful ecstasy that swept a small boy o'er. And again it is December—and I feel it all once more. —Frederick F. Van de Water.. TESTIMONY. r \ Two sat together Christmas night Before the yule log's amber light, And one, whose hair was thin and grey, Reviewed the turmoil of the day And thought: " How good another year Will pass ere so-called Christmas cheer Recurs with its attendant ills— A horde of unreceipted bills, Red ribbons in their useless yards, . A bale of silly Christmas cards, A horde of folk with servile lips That grin, expecting Christmas tips, The time and cash you have to speud On gifts you do not care to send, , Rewarded for your fuss and fret * By gifts you do not care to get, The dinner, once a year, when we Are friends with all our family." He watched the sparks in upward flight And grimly smiled, that Christmas night. Two sat together Christmas night, And one before the embers bright, Surveyed the chimney's wide extent, Recalling Santa Claus' descent,, • ' And thought: " I'm sure I heard him go . - ' Last night, with bells, across the snow* And now, so much must pass away ... Before another Christmas Day—