The Family Circle

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1916, Page 61

The Family Circle

THE OLD PLAYGROUND. Our ; school days they come to us Like shadows through the haze We view the kindly faces, and we Mind the kindly ways Of all. the little boys and girls We played with long ago, Upon. the old school playground, Those curly heads of tow. And, too, the bright and laughing eyes Are looking through the mist, The years have flung about us, That we'd forget I wist; But all the old-tin-e friendships Learn to linger, if to say, ' I'd love to take you romping Out upon that ground to-day!'

I-d love to take you romping out Upon the old hoax'd walk, I’d fain go with you arm in arm. To have an old-time talk; I’d like to see you hustle at The tap of recess bell, A topsy-turvy one and all— I’m weary as I tell.

A sad old sight ’tis some would make Upon that ground to-day, With blear old eyes and memories That lead them far away ; Of home ties sadly torn, alack The world were none too kind- - I’d walk with you and tell it all. If you, old chum, don’t mind.

How many paths that led away From that old hurtling spot ; How many faces die in mist, How many joys forgot ! How dear to us 'twill ever be, The feast that youth had spread ; Alas! how many of our throng All silent, now lie dead ! — The Columbian.

A MODERN SANTA GLAUS. It was Christmas Eve. The lights were beginning to gleam through the windows of happy homes and trace tracks of brilliancy over the snow. Around a little shanty on the outskirts of the city were grouped a number of rough-looking laborers who were employed during these days in making a cut for a new railroad. Ihey were being paid off now, and many of their faces already glowed with the anticipated pleasures of the approaching night. Though most of them were powerful men physically, there was one who towered above the rest and showed a breadth of shoulder that marked him out. He was evidently a rough character. In spite of his poor clothing, he did not seem to mind the cold or snow of that December evening. He leaned carelessly against a telegraph pole, just out of the circle of light from an arc lamp, with his collar turned up and his soft hat pulled down well over one eye- I had passed that way by chance and became interested in the process of paying off; but in watching this individual I soon forgot the other. His companions, I knew, were a wild and turbulent set— workers all of them, but hard drinkers too when occasion offered, and full of untamed animal spirits. Looking at the deep chest, bulls-neck, and harsh features of this specimen, as he stood apart and watched his fellows receive their wages I thought I saw before me six foot-two of recklessness and depravity.

In groups of three or four the crowd began to move up the street. < A pair of brightly lighted windows belonging to a dispensary of cheering beverages held out an invitation that most of them accepted at once. : Almost to a man they poured into the place, and. their . hoarse, loud laughter and "isnatches , of song soon told the tale of increasing , jollity. i The . fellow I ; ; had been watching came slowly 7 " up the street after his companions ._ .He was counting his money over again, and seemed lost in thought.' Just before reaching; the doors that had swallowed up the others," he stood"irresolutely. There was uncertainty written all over him v as he alternately glanced at-the money "in his hand and" at the glowing windows. Then resolutely thrusting both hands into the pockets of his coat, he passed the place hurriedly. A few yards beyond he paused and looked back. * Would he return, I asked myself,' and throw away his few hard-earned dollars on drink and a night of revelry I felt it was a decisive- moment on which hung the happiness of that Christmas for him and for his family, if he had any, and I breathed a prayer that the good Mother of God would give him strength to win the battle. He came back a step or two, stopped again, then crossed over to the opposite side of the street, and stood surveying the scene and listening to the coarse laughter and the spasmodic attempts at song. It was too much with a gesture of despair he rushed across the street. His hand was on the' door, when _once more lie turned and actually ran away. Whispering a thankful prayer, I followed him unobserved. He did not dare look back, but slackening his pace into a fast walk he went on till he came to a small store combining the offices of a grocery and drygoods shop. This he entered. I watched through the window and saw him lay out almost his last penny on edibles and clothes. When he came out I accosted him, though doubtful of my reception. ' You're one of the men from the new railroad, aren't, you ?' ' Yes,' he said a little gruffly, as he eyed me suspiciously. 'Quit early to-night?' 'Yes; it's in honor of Christmas. They let us off early.' ' Well, pardon me, but I noticed you going in here and thought you must be preparing- to make this a merry Christmas for some one.' I lo laughed nervously.- ' I've tried the other track many a time, too. It's bad. It's hard to get off it once you've started that way.' ' Going home V The ice was broken. He thawed completely and really grew enthusiastic. ' Home ? Yes, that's it. I'm going home. Over at Albion—that's six miles from heremy old mother's waiting for me. We've always been together at least on Christmas Day. I've got a few new duds for her here, and something for a Christmas dinner. It'll make the old woman happy. I'll, be her Santa Claus.' ' Well, good-bye—and '"Merry Christmas."' - Merry Christmas.' • And he was off in the darkness, starting on his long tramp to make glad the heart of his aged mother. It was another victory for the spirit of Christmas, and I am sure that when the angels that night sang ? Peace to men of good will' their blessing fell abundantly on the heart that beat so warmly under that rough exterior.—Father Dunne's Newsboys' Journal.

A "BARBED QUESTION. A certain newly-rich young man, assuming great airs, was neatly squelched a few days ago by a member of one of our oldest families. The pompous young man had, somehow managed to obtain membership in a select club, where he assumed a certain attitude and remarked, in what he imagined to be the proper tone: ' It's deucedly disagreeable, don'tcheknow, to associate with one's inferiors.' ... '_,,, • Ah,' said the other, ' how in the world did you find that out?' ■. - - .

" - ~-GETTING RID OF THE CHINESE. * . ' A county: council teacher tells the following - tale with much gusto: -''."'■ .' I was giving a geography lesson on, China the other day, and mentioned its vast'population—over 400 millions. To present some idea of what such a stupendous number implied, I explained that if we calculated what must be the corresponding number of x deaths among the Chinese, there must be at least two persons die every time we take a breath. The illustration somewhat startled the boys, and an involuntary gasp showed that it had been appreciated. During the morning I "noticed a little fellow who appeared very uncomfortable. ' His face was flushed with exertion, and he was puffing and wheezing like an asthmatic steam-engine. ' * ' "What is the matter, Tommy?" I inquired, with alarm; "whatrare you doing?" ' "Killing Chinamen," he answered, laconically.'

THE HUSBAND SCORED. Mrs. Micklehan: 'lf woman were given the credit she deserves I don't think man would be quite so prominent in the world's history.' Mr. M. : ' I think you are right. If she could .get all the credit she wants he'd be insolvent!'

CORRECT MEASUREMENT. Some years ago there lived in the city of X. a rather eccentric old man, remarkable for his shrewdness, who kept a pork shop. Three young fellows, thinking to have some fun with him, entered his shop one night, and asked what his pork was a yard. The old man promptly replied, ' Five shillings.' One of the young men then said: 'l'll take a yard.' 'Where is your money said the old man. The five shillings were laid down, which the old man quickly pocketed, and then produced three pig's feet, with the remark: 'Three feet make one yard.'

NO MEANNESS ABOUT HIM. Mr. Newrich went the other day to a high-class restaurant with his wife and two friends. Mrs. Newrich, who had been brought up better than her husband, whispered to him: 'Ask for a menu.' ' One menu only?' responded her husband. ' Certainly not : I intend to do the thing well. Hi, waiter ! I say, menus for four, and see that they are done to a turn !' •

NOT IN STOCK. Lady v to dog dealer) : ' I live in a lonely house in the country, and I want a good house-dog.' 'Yes, marm.' ' But I don't want one that will keep me awake at night barking at nothing.' No, marm.' ' He must be very strong and fierce, yet as gentle as a lamb with lis, you know.' 1 Yes, marm.' ' And he must pounce upon and drive every tramp away that comes to the house.' ' Yes, marm.' ' But he must not interfere with any honest person coming along.' ' No, marm. Anything more?' 'Yes; if a burglar comes, the dog should attack him instantly.' „ ' Yes, marm.' ' But he must not molest anyone who makes a friendly call at any time.

'No, marm.' r , And, of course, hie must not. interfere with any persons who : may have to come to see my husband, he is a doctor, and so a great many people call.' 'No, marm. I quite see what you want. . * You want a thought-reading dog.' . > ' Yes I suppose so. Can you send me one ' Very sorry, marm, but I am quite out of the kind you want.' - ✓ -~ '

A BRAVE GIRL. - ' Do you think your sister likes me, Tommy V 'Yes; she stood up"for you at dinner.' ' Ptood up for me ! Was anybody saying anything against me?' . » ' No; .nothing much. Father said he thought you were rather a donkey, but sis got up and said you weren't, and told father he ought to know better than judge a man by his looks.'

THEN THEY ALL ROARED. Two members of, the ' Night-Owl Club' bore the same nameTimson. This chance similarity in cognomens was the cause of much hilarity one- night. The usual business of the club was in full swin". Enter Timson No. 1. -° 'Timson!' cried somebody. 'There's a letter for you over there.' Timson No. 1 opened the envelope and then looked round. ' This is not for me,' he said. 'ltis a tailor's bill for the other fellow !' Carefully the envelope was sealed up again and replaced upon the mantelshelf. Enter Timson No. 2. He espied the letter upon the mantelshelf and proceeded to read the contents of it. All the members were watching him. Then, in a lender way, he murmured: ' Silly little girl!'

A VACCINATION ANECDOTE. During a recent discussion on the subject of vaccination, when its supporters and opponents had fairly exhausted their arguments, one of the company, who had not. hitherto spoken, volunteered his opinion that, far from being a benefit to the human race, the precaution was both dangerous and unnecessary. 'I will give you a proof,' he said. 'The son of a friend of mine, as healthy a little fellow as you would wish to see, was vaccinated by the advice of an idiotic medical man who attended the family, and what was the consequence? He died two days after the operation.'

Here the speaker paused for a moment, evidently gratified by the impression he had made on his hearers. ‘Yes, gentlemen,’ he continued, ‘the poor lad, who was as active as a squirrel, was in the act of climbing a tree, when, a branch giving way, he lost his hold, and was killed by the fall. Don’t talk to me of vaccination after that.’

A BIT OF THE STAGE. '•' ' Heavy Tragedian (at a local hotel): «Prithee, landlord, dwells there within the precincts of this hama machinist?' Landlord : ' A machinist ? Yes, sir.' Tragedian: Then take to him this bird of many springs. Bid him wrench asunder these iron limbs, and a then, for our to chisel slices from its * unyielding bosom, for we would dine soon. And, pray you, do it quickly. Yon peas you need not carry, for those, with dext'rous management, we can r swallow whole. Away!'